The Faces Berlin

For a five-night stay, the room was very good and much better value than other places in the city. It was modern and comfortable, and I could cook simple meals in the kitchen. The windows keep out sound quite well, so visiting in a cooler month will probably mean noise isn't an issue. With the windows open, though, it's incredibly loud. There's a small but working elevator at the back of the building. You can't reach it from the front, so you'll need to go around through the building, where there are a few stairs, or ask the concierge for help if they're available. It's worth finding if you're on a higher floor with heavy luggage. Laundry takes coins from the concierge, and costs €8 for the washer plus another €8 for the dryer.

The apartment has a comfortable bed and pillows, a spacious layout, and a very nice shower with both a rainfall head and a separate wand. There’s a refrigerator and cooktop if you want to buy food and cook. It's centrally located between two S-Bahn stops, making it easy to get around. The main issues are noise and access. The walls and ceilings are thin, so footsteps carry into the room, and neighbors playing music or hanging out on their balcony can make it loud. Weekday nights were okay, but Friday night was terrible. There's no AC, so summer could be hot, though September was fine. There’s also no elevator, and getting up to the third floor with a backpack and large suitcase was quite a hike. The room key comes through an app and needs a text message to activate. If you're visiting from outside Germany without cell service, I'm not sure how you'd get in. For a quiet, comfortable stay this probably isn't the place, but it's well located and has plenty of amenities if you're a deep sleeper or can use earplugs.

The apartment was spotless, modern, and had almost everything we needed. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the contactless digital key was really handy. There are two supermarkets and public transport right nearby. Berlin Centre is a 10-minute taxi ride or a 40-minute walk, and there are rental scooters around too. I'd call it the nicest place I've ever stayed. I'd absolutely come back if I could. Fabulous. Our room, 304, had a huge bed, a double shower, kitchen area with a kettle, hob, fridge and sink, underfloor heating, a heated towel rack, TV with internet, plenty of lights and sockets, a balcony, privacy blinds, a door intercom, and funky decor. A few downsides: it's a noisy spot beside the hospital, autobahn, and railroad if you're a light sleeper, though it didn't bother my boyfriend. It gets very warm in hot weather but is lovely when it's cold. The washing machines are in the basement and cost €8, with no soap, so we washed our clothes in the sink. There are lots of stairs.

The curtains are too small and let in a lot of light. With no air conditioning, opening the window means motorway and railway noise. The photo I added was taken at 4:30 AM! There are no bedside tables, and barely any room for clothes. WORST stay I've ever had. NOT WORTH THE COST. Go somewhere else.