Hotel Berliner Hof by Coffee Fellows Hotels

The beds were very comfortable, and the rooms were clean. The buffet breakfast was very good, with lots of choices, especially breads and buns, and the food was regularly watched and freshly refilled. Staff from reception to the restaurant were super friendly and helpful. They were bilingual and could assist perfectly in English if you don't know German. It's about a five-minute walk from Kiel main train station. The hotel isn't very big, even with a family room, and the available space for three people could be a safety hazard in an emergency. The bathroom is fairly large, but the shower compartment is tiny, and my 2m-tall husband had difficulty showering in that little cube. A good short stay, and probably perfect for a brief business trip, but not so perfect for a family vacation.

The breakfast staff were consistently friendly and welcoming, and none of the problems felt like their fault. The issues seemed to be with management and the hotel's misleading presentation. The lobby's branded coffee machine was broken, and when I went into the breakfast hall for a takeaway coffee, I was immediately asked for my room number and whether I'd booked breakfast. I only wanted a simple cup to go. Staff kindly brought one after I asked, but having to push for coffee at a hotel named after the well-known coffee chain “Coffee Fellows” felt absurd. We needed a basic overnight stop before continuing home and booked through Booking.com. The room was advertised in newer photos as “modern and new” for €94, but by arrival the price had risen to €100, without breakfast. Instead of the sleek renovated room shown online, we got an old, outdated one. It was spacious, but nowhere near the advertised standard. Showing stylish renovated rooms online and assigning guests the opposite felt misleading and unacceptable at €100 a night. Parking cost extra too, even though we were staying at the hotel. With no breakfast included, the value felt poor. I've stayed in cheaper and more luxurious hotels, and the experience has almost always matched the price. This one fell far short.

The reception team were all very friendly, and the service was excellent. The hotel's centrally located, less than five minutes from the train station and lots of bus stops. My room was clean and nothing was broken, though the bed and pillow weren't very comfortable for me. Breakfast was nice, but it was all cold food: bread, cereals, cheese, cold meat, fruit and vegetables. I would've preferred some hot dishes.

The staff were very helpful, and you can use the card key holder as a free local bus pass. Rooms are small, clean and adequate, with international TV channels. There are lifts to every floor, a bike store if you need it, and a common room with complimentary tea and coffee. Biscuits and water at reception were a nice touch. The hotel is close to the station but away from the crowds.