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Mrs. O Around the World
Mrs. O Around the World
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A spacious suite
  • Europe
  • Hotel Reviews

My hOtel: The Spa Suite at The Westin Grand, Berlin

  • FIRST POSTED: 14th May 2013 | LAST UPDATED: 16th July 2015
  • 6 minute read
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When I recently visited Berlin, I was really looking forward to a night at the Westin. Why? Because it is a brand that I love and know very well, as I have stayed in many, especially in the USA. It is a brand that not many people in Europe are familiar with, so it is great to introduce it to a few more people. Everything is heavenly at Westin – or so the brand calls is. The Heavenly bed, the Heavenly shower.. you get the idea! I stayed at this hotel during ITB, which is possibly one of the busiest times of the year in the city. I used my SPG points and was expecting (kept every finger crossed) for an upgrade… and well, it may be fair to say that I did well!

The Westin Grand, Berlin
The Westin Grand, Berlin

Pre-Arrival

–          Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media?

Yes indeed. We started a little twitter friendship a couple of months before I even booked my room and it was quite interesting to see how responsive the hotel’s social media team where, over time.

–          Did I try to engage the hotel via Twitter? Did the hotel interact with me and made me feel welcome/special?

It got to a stage where I was drooling over the weekly cocktails (which is a fab idea – a twitter cocktail, huh?) and I knew which one would be available on the week of my stay. It is all about the small details. I was impressed.

–          Has the hotel tried to gather any personal information (e.g. preferences) prior to my stay?

Very discreetly yes. Very nicely played, I thought too!

 

This is what I call a shower!
This is what I call a shower! You can see where this is going…

 

Arrival

–          The wow factor! What was the hotel decor style?

The hotel has a large lobby, which is a nice mix of old and new. I was quite intrigued as wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

–          How quick and efficient was the hotel check-in?

Absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t help notice the Montblanc mats where you signed your paperwork. Why have I never noticed them before?

–          Was I addressed by name once reservation has been located? (it is all about the small details, some others are outstanding with this, and I love it, like I do when I board an airplane)

Yes, Ms O’Reilly this and that, and I noticed that the exact same thing was happening to the gentlemen checking-in next to me. It is such a nice touch and so easy for hotels to do it…

–          Did I get an upgrade from my confirmed pre-booked room type?

I did, I used my SPG points which technically entitle me to an upgrade to junior suites (or suites if I use the new suite nights), and I was delighted to get the “Spa Suite”.

–          Did I feel genuinely welcomed by the hotel staff?

Very much so, everyone (in Berlin, to be honest) was so smiley and friendly – not exactly what I was expecting!

–          Luggage – how many people did I have to tip before the luggage made it safely to my room? This is cultural, I know

I had a carry-on bag only and was “allowed” to take it to my room.

–          Wi-fi – was I told anything about it? Was there a charge?

As platinum SPG I did get free internet (as do Gold SPGs), but sadly not for all hotel guests.

 

Room Experience

A spacious suite
A spacious suite
 
 

–          First impressions – décor, size and wow factor

It was lovely – really quite modern, in contrast with the rest of the hotel. I loved it. It was spacious and I loved how open it was – you could see through the rooms!

–          Welcome amenity

I had some lovely champagne, strawberries and chocolate. Always a lovely touch.

–          The bed

Heavenly, as they call it. It was huge and all mine that night. And comfy.

–          Closet/Wardrobe – proper hangers or those annoying ones where you need a PhD to get them out one by one? This is a personal pet peeve of mine. I can’t stand them.

It was spacious and had individual hangers. Interestingly the clothes faced forward, rather than sideways. Not quite sure what to make of it (I love a good first world problem) – but it was kind of nice to see outfits from a different perspective!

 
 
My heavenly bed for the night...
My heavenly bed for the night…

–          Iphone Charger/Dock

I had all my chargers with me for a change, so I just used them and didn’t have a problem with plugs.

–          Bathrobes and slippers

Yes and lovely!

–          Coffee and Tea

But of course.

–          Free bottled water

Indeed. All SPGs do get free water in the rooms.

TBC

 

–          Magazine selection – had some nice surprises and doesn’t happen often enough!

I didn’t see any, but to be honest I didn’t spend as much time in the room as I would have liked!

–          Power sockets in useful places – we have more and more devices and we know where we want them! By the bed, by the working area.

Lots, actually!

 

Bathroom

 

I loved the Spa Suite bathroom
I loved the Spa Suite bathroom

–          First impressions – décor, size and wow factor

There was a definite wow factor – it was huge and really quite something.

–          Bath, shower and taps – I am looking for Duravits and Hansgrohes (or other fab brands) around the world. How fab was the shower? And a little pet peeve.. was I able to operate the shower without asking Mr. O for help?

You can see the bath and if you scroll up, you can the see amazing 1 sqm shower head. I didn’t need to wash my hair that day, but I couldn’t resist!

–          Towels – yes, please! How many and how soft and lovely?

There weren’t the best I ever had, which was quite strange. They were a little bit on the small side and not as soft as I would expect. Some room for improvement there.

–          Toiletries – own brand, super brand, baby ones or proper ones? I shall find out!

It was good to see some Korres, which is a Greek brand I quite like. I think the shower gels are always fab (love basil and lemon), but the shampoo is not fab. But quite refreshing to see this!

–          Amenity kit – I don’t want more sewing kits thank you very much, but I will need a shower cap.

All the standard Westin goodies, as needed.

–          Hairdryer – is it a human one, or just something stuck to a wall that only makes noise?

It was quite good and I used it.

 

Breakfast


It is quite embarrassing but I missed breakfast. I had a very lazy day ahead in Berlin.. and I slept until almost 12pm, which I needed. I went to Galleries Lafayette instead (not just for breakfast!).

 

 

Bar

Pretty cocktails (this one was a Coco Fresh) at the Westin Berlin
Pretty cocktails (this one was a Coco Fresh) at the Westin Berlin

The bar was actually really quite nice and had really good service. I love how we now get more and more interesting cocktails in Europe – one of the great things about Globalisation. I had a lovely Coco Fresh pre-dinner, and I continued to have them when I came back to the hotel after dinner.

Something really interesting happened! I tweeted a photo of my fab suite, which was picked up by another guest, who was staying at the “other” suite (and quite disappointed!). We decided to settle it over a drink at the bar, and it was lovely to meet Vanessa and Markus, who run a very interesting fashion and travel blog in Germany. We have been in touch ever since and the hotel has jointed in the banter, which a couple months later, still makes this stay really quite special.

 

General thoughts

–          How good and reliable was the wi-fi?

I used it and was absolutely fine

–          Did the hotel interact with me via Twitter during my stay?

They did indeed and it was great fun. The hotel did this with a lot of guests and I strongly believe this really is the future…

–          Location

Absolutely fantastic, right on Friedrichstraße and its lovely shops…

–          Cost

Rooms start from €125 (room rates are very good in Berlin, I must say) and the suite from €500. I did not see any other rooms, so I cannot comment on them.

–          Would I recommend it to my best friend?

Yes, and she’d love it!

–          Would I stay again?

Without a doubt, this Spa suite would be slept in and enjoyed tremendously!

 

Have you visited this hotel? What were your thoughts?

xo

Mrs. O

 

Disclaimer: Thank you to Starwood and the Westin Berlin for this upgrade during such a busy time.  For more information about the hotel, visit its official website.

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