Arte Luise Kunsthotel

I stayed at this hotel in Berlin for a few days and had a generally positive experience. The location is really convenient: the hotel is easily accessible on foot from the main train station, and the area feels very safe. I especially appreciated the supermarket being just a two-minute walk away. The rooms were clean, although the furnishings were a bit dated and some parts were quite worn. The shared showers and toilets were also clean and well-maintained, which was important to me. Communication with the hotel via WhatsApp was very straightforward. Both self-check-in and check-out were quick and easy, making the stay very pleasant and flexible. The noise level in the hotel was also perfectly acceptable to me – I didn't find it bothersome at all. Unfortunately, the breakfast buffet was disappointing. The selection was very limited and didn't look particularly appealing, so I decided to eat breakfast elsewhere instead. Despite this point, I would book a room there again, mainly because of the good location, the cleanliness and the uncomplicated process.

I was not happy with my stay here at all. When I made the reservation in advance, I added $30 payment to check in early, but the day of I was concerned because it still said check in was at 3pm. I called, and she said rudely “it’s too late for you to ask for early check in” so I informed her that I made the arrangements on their app when I booked the hotel. She then said she would tell the cleaning staff to prioritize my room, and it was ready upon my arrival. Upon my arrival the room was very disappointing compared to photos online. The window in my room would not shut and lock properly. They offered to come in and look when I wasn’t here, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I asked if I could be moved to a different room, as mine looked like a prison cell. (Pictures included below) The walls and carpet were filthy, broken window, gray painted wood slat furniture, it was depressing. I asked if I could possibly be moved, as I saw some better rooms with a nicer aesthetic, and wood flooring, they said they could not move me. (Pictures included below) I then asked about getting my money back to move to a different hotel, all of the sudden they could move me! I look at the new room, and it’s exactly the same as my previous one, but with orange dirty walls and carpet. Then my stuff gets locked inside the first room, and I have no access. They would not answer the phone, housekeeping staff told me to refer to the app. It’s amazing, because I was here a total of 5 days, and the hard wood floor/better looking rooms were available on a daily basis, from what I saw with housekeeping, which leads me to believe it was DISCRIMINATION. I am not one to just say something like this or point the finger, but I am almost positive this was out of pure discrimination. Having no staff on site would be fine, if this hotel was up to standard, but it’s not. I told them no need to make housekeeping “clean” another room, when it was just as bad as the first, so I remained in the first room. I had two days left to get through, and I really didn’t want to uproot and ruin my whole visit because I had to relocate, so I put up with staying. I was able to use a suction cup hook I had to shut the window, and just made sure my things were off the nasty carpet, as best as I could manage. I could also hear my neighbor snoring, there is no way to walk through the halls quietly, as they’re very creaky, the doors slam and make a loud noise as you close them, no matter how you approach it. There was only one toilet available in the women’s restroom for our entire floor, and an elderly woman was in there for a significant amount of time in the morning, left feces on the toilet and random strips of toilet paper laid on the back shelf. You can find a review stating this was a problem TWO WEEKS AGO, and they replied that they would take it seriously. There was body soap only provided in one shower, the other one was completely out for my entire stay, and mold at the bottom of the shower. PSA: There is an elevator if you go through the courtyard, before you dislocate your shoulder going up 3 flights of stairs with luggage. I would not tell my worst enemy to stay here. They have NO PRIDE in their business at all, and the employees are on a power trip behind a keyboard, not working with you face to face. I was nothing but kind communicating with them, and they just did everything in their power to belittle me during my stay. Really? Giving me a WORSE room because I asked for a better one? When I said I wasn’t happy about what was going on they said “we’re sorry, let us know if you need anything else”. I have been traveling for months through Europe, and I haven’t had ONE negative experience, until this. Highly considering speaking with a lawyer on what I can do, because this was a complete waist of money, and I am firm in believing their actions were out of discrimination. I was SO EXCITED to be in Germany, it’s where my parents met, but clearly I’m not welcome here, or worthy of a decent place to sleep.

Well located close to central station and brandenburg, No reception. All automated but in case of problems available on the phone. Spacious room extremely well equipped. Noisy train but acceptable.