Hotel Riu Plaza Berlin

The location is great, with lots of restaurants and good transport links nearby, and the hotel's layout is beautiful. The staff were kind, and the shower was the best part, with hot water and a great shower head. I slept well lying flat, but there's only one small, thin pillow per bed, which isn't comfortable if you want to lounge in bed. I also wished there were a microwave. I had leftovers I wanted to heat up, but the front desk said they weren't allowed to warm food for guests, and one staff member said he'd gotten in trouble for doing it. It's odd to have a room refrigerator when there's nowhere to heat leftovers. Apart from those things, I had a great stay at the Riu hotel.

Free parking in the garage was a huge plus, and we liked having lots of restaurants and things to do nearby. The hop-on hop-off bus stops down the street and goes around Berlin's sights. Inside, the rooms were spacious and clean, with a private toilet in the bathroom. Breakfast had lots of variety and plenty of seating. The bar staff and waiters were great, fun, and made really good drinks. We loved this hotel and will definitely stay again on our next visit to Berlin.

The beds are listed as double, but they're really two singles pushed together, making them feel tiny and awkward, almost like a handkerchief. The rooms are decent but basic, with few amenities. The breakfast buffet is average for the price. The hotel feels cold and impersonal, without much character, and there's nothing especially interesting in the neighbourhood. It's quite far from the city centre. Okay if all you need is somewhere to sleep, but I wouldn't choose it for a memorable visit.

Rooms are basic, affordable and clean. Breakfast was decent, nothing special, and the staff in the breakfast restaurant were very efficient. You can walk to the Uban, the main shopping area and the nightlife. The hotel is excellent for the LGBTi community.