Pension Brinn

Our flight was due to land at 7 p.m., so we asked if we could check in at 8, less than an hour later. The owner said no, explaining that she runs the pension on her own. We had booked three nights for two people through Booking, and with their time pressure and this being the last room, I hadn’t noticed that check-in after 7 p.m. wasn’t allowed. I thought there might be a self-check-in option in 2024, especially since a late flight could leave guests stranded. We then asked for a refund. The owner refused because the booking was non-refundable. I understand hosts wanting protection from last-minute cancellations, but we had booked the last room a month and a half ahead, on Sept. 2 for Oct. 18-21, so I don’t see how refunding us would have caused her financial harm. Booking support got involved, but the owner still showed no understanding or kindness, and accused me of expecting 4-star hotel treatment. I’m usually a very calm, gentle person, and after years of using Booking I’ve never had anything like this happen. In the end, she offered to return part of the money while keeping 70 euros for one night, for no reason. Booking’s rules may permit this, but I believe it’s actually not legal. You can look up court rulings about non-refundable rates. If this happens to you, the European Union has a European Small Claims Procedure for cases like this. It’s online, and you don’t need a lawyer. Please don’t let this person take advantage of your mistakes or unexpected circumstances.

We picked this hotel by chance, and it turned out to be one of the best choices of our trip. The room was spacious and very clean, with daily cleaning, and the bathroom and toilet were spotless and thoughtfully arranged. Breakfast included coffee or tea, rolls, several kinds of cheese and sausage, and orange juice. You could also add cereal, yogurt, or jam for a roll. I really enjoyed our stay. The one drawback was not having a shared kitchen or an electric kettle in the room, but all the good points more than made up for it. I recommend it and would definitely return if I’m in Berlin again.

The neighborhood felt quiet and safe, and the staff were not just helpful but genuinely kind. The rooms were clean, breakfast was good, and the price was nice. The nearby subway makes the rest of the city easy to reach, while the place is especially handy if you’re planning to visit the Zoological Garden. A great spot for a Berlin stay.

After a day exploring the city, it was easy to get a good night’s rest here. The place is quiet, the rooms are a good size, and everything is very clean with good facilities. The host was so nice and helpful that we felt at home. I’d definitely recommend staying here.