Hotel AMANO Grand Central

Hotel AMANO Grand Central, Berlin: A Comprehensive Review

Hotel AMANO Grand Central, a Michelin Key Selected property in Berlin, consistently receives high praise for its prime location, modern design, and excellent service. This stylish hotel offers a blend of luxury and affordability, making it a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel AMANO Grand Central is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive overall rating of 8.8 on Agoda.com and a "Very good" rating of 8.3 based on over 10,000 reviews on Booking.com. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's exceptional value, excellent facilities, and impeccable cleanliness, contributing to a lasting positive impression.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Hotel AMANO Grand Central:

• Location: Its strategic position directly opposite Berlin's Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is a major draw, providing superb access to all modes of city transport and easy exploration of Berlin's attractions.
• Cleanliness: The hotel is consistently described as "impeccable" with "spotless rooms" and professional housekeeping services receiving rave reviews.
• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently praised for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable, often going "above and beyond" to ensure a welcoming stay.
• Design & Amenities: The hotel features a modern and stylish aesthetic with clean-line interiors, dark parquet flooring, and a sophisticated palette of black, white, and chrome. Notable amenities include a rooftop terrace/bar (seasonal) offering enviable views, an Italian restaurant, another bar, a fitness center, and versatile conference rooms.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel AMANO Grand Central are characterized by their contemporary design, featuring modern furnishings, plush bedding, and stylish decor. They are equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, coffee machines, hairdryers, work desks, soundproof windows, and blackout curtains for a comfortable stay.

While comfort is generally rated highly with "comfy beds", feedback on room size is mixed. Some guests find rooms, particularly suites, to be spacious, while others describe standard rooms or single rooms as quite small, with the bed taking up most of the space. A recurring point of discussion is the bathroom design, with many rooms featuring an open-plan, transparent glass shower area that some guests find lacking in privacy.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a commendable dining experience:

• Breakfast: The daily breakfast buffet receives rave reviews, frequently described as "delicious," "excellent," and offering "lots of choice". Gluten-free options are available upon request. Please note that breakfast is typically a surcharge.
• Restaurant: The on-site Italian restaurant, GAMBINO's by AMANO, provides Italian cuisine in a modern and romantic setting. A bistro is also available, serving a daily breakfast buffet and an all-day menu of national and international dishes.
• Bars: Guests can enjoy the APARTMENT Bar and a rooftop bar (open seasonally in summer) which boasts panoramic city views, including sightlines to the Reichstag Building, creating a vibrant lounge and club atmosphere.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel AMANO Grand Central is a consistent highlight. Guests frequently commend the staff for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive nature. Many appreciate the staff's excellent English and their willingness to provide local tips and assistance. The hotel also offers convenient digital check-in and check-out options.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in Berlin's vibrant Mitte district, the hotel's most significant advantage is its proximity to Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), just a 3-5 minute walk away. This central location provides exceptional connectivity to all forms of public transport, including trains, trams, and subways.

Nearby attractions within walking distance include the Natural History Museum, Hamburger Bahnhof Museum of Contemporary Art, the Reichstag Building (approximately 0.7 miles), and the Brandenburg Gate (about 1.2 miles). The hotel is also easily accessible from Berlin Brandenburg Airport via express train services to Hauptbahnhof. While the immediate neighborhood is noted as still being in a "development phase," its accessibility more than compensates.

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel AMANO Grand Central is widely regarded as offering excellent value for money, providing a luxurious experience at an affordable price point. The average price for a room is around $143, which is generally lower than Berlin's city average of $160. Prices can fluctuate, with February typically being the most affordable month and October the most expensive. A 1-night stay for two adults can start from approximately $71.24.

Guests should note additional costs for amenities such as the buffet breakfast, self-parking (€29 per day), pet fees (€15 per pet, per night), and rollaway beds (€25 per night). Minibar items, including Nespresso coffee, are also chargeable.

8. Common Complaints

While highly rated, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Size: A number of guests find standard or single rooms to be relatively small, particularly the "Cosy Single" option.
• Shower Privacy: The open-plan, often transparent glass shower cubicles within the rooms are a frequent complaint, with some guests feeling a lack of privacy.
• Minibar/Complimentary Items: Some guests express disappointment that minibar items, including water and coffee, are not complimentary.
• Pillow Options: A few reviews mention issues with mattresses sliding or a limited choice of pillow types.
• Online Check-in Glitches: While online check-in is offered, some guests have reported minor inconveniences or a lack of dedicated support during the process.
• Noise: Due to its central location, some guests have occasionally experienced noise.
• Neighborhood Ambiance: The immediate area around the hotel is still under development, and some visitors note it isn't yet a bustling area, although accessibility is excellent.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. amanogroup.com
5. trivago.co.uk
6. hotels.com
7. expedia.com
8. booking.com
9. youtube.com
10. michelin.com
11. booking.com
12. kayak.com