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sly Berlin

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sly Berlin - Selected hotel in Berlin, Germany

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Hotel Details

Location

Berlin

Germany, Europe

Key Highlights

  • Exceptional Service:** Staff attentiveness and helpfulness are frequently cited, with many guests praising their professional and genuinely warm hospitality.
  • Location Perception:** Despite excellent public transport, the immediate neighborhood was sometimes described as "remote" or "less than spectacular surroundings" for evening strolls.

Expert Review: sly Berlin

sly Berlin, a Michelin Key Selected property, stands out as a modern and stylish urban hotel nestled in Berlin's vibrant Friedrichshain district. It consistently garners high praise for its design, amenities, and exceptional service, making it a compelling choice for travelers seeking a contemporary and comfortable base in the German capital.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

sly Berlin enjoys an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with guest ratings frequently described as "Exceptional" or "Wonderful," scoring between 9.0 and 9.4 on various booking platforms. The general consensus highlights its chic design, inviting atmosphere, and the professionalism and friendliness of its staff.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud sly Berlin for several standout features:

  • Design and Atmosphere: The hotel is celebrated for its industrial-chic aesthetic, blending sleek modern design with elements from its past as a furniture factory, including impressive round arches. The glass-clad conservatory courtyard, which houses the restaurant and bar, is a particular highlight, creating a bright and airy ambiance during the day and a moody atmosphere in the evenings.
  • Rooftop Wellness: The rooftop spa, featuring a Klafs sauna and an outdoor lounge, offers guests panoramic views over the Berlin skyline, providing a serene spot for relaxation. There's also a well-equipped fitness center.
  • Exceptional Service: Staff attentiveness and helpfulness are frequently cited, with many guests praising their professional and genuinely warm hospitality.

3. Room Quality

The 150 individually designed rooms at sly Berlin are described as modern, sleek, and exceptionally comfortable. Each room features solid oak floors, crisp white linens, oversized black-framed windows, and gray serpentine stone tiled bathrooms with rain showers and underfloor heating. High-quality amenities include king-size beds (often made in Germany), Nespresso coffee machines, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, and Molton Brown bath products. Some rooms offer additional luxuries like French balconies, spacious terraces, or inner courtyard views. Rooms are also soundproofed, contributing to a peaceful stay.

A unique feature is the absence of traditional in-room minibars, replaced by a 24/7 "Späti" (an East German-style convenience store) in the lobby offering local snacks, drinks, and toiletries.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's flagship "sly Restaurant" serves contemporary cuisine with Euro-Asian influences, featuring specialties from a Japanese robata grill, all beneath its striking glass roof.

Breakfast is a particular highlight for many guests, described as an "impressive buffet" that is "very good" and "varied." Options typically include fresh-baked pastries, German sausages, and ingredients for yogurt bowls with fruits and nuts. However, it's worth noting that if not included in the room rate, the breakfast buffet costs approximately EUR 28 per person, which some guests find a bit pricey for the selection. A few reviews also mentioned that some breakfast items, like cheese or salmon, occasionally appeared dry.

The bar offers a selection of well-known classics and creative signature cocktails.

5. Service & Staff

The service at sly Berlin consistently receives high marks. Guests frequently praise the staff for being "delightful," "friendly," "helpful," "professional," and "accommodating." Specific examples include staff going above and beyond to assist guests, such as helping to recover a lost phone. While overall feedback is excellent, some isolated comments noted minor inconsistencies in customer service from certain front desk staff members.

6. Location & Accessibility

sly Berlin is centrally located in the "hip" and "trendy" Friedrichshain district, often referred to as the "New East" of Berlin. This prime setting offers easy access to major sightseeing, cultural, and historical attractions.

The hotel boasts excellent public transport links, with bus, tram (M5, M6, M8, M10), and S-Bahn stops within a short walking distance. This connectivity allows for easy exploration of areas like Alexanderplatz (approximately 1.9 miles/3 km away), the East Side Gallery (around 2.1 miles/3.4 km away), and Volkspark Friedrichshain. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is about 27 km (17 miles) away, roughly a 45-minute drive.

While well-connected to the city, some guests noted that the immediate surrounding area might be perceived as "a bit off" or "uninteresting" for walking directly after dinner, and a little further from the absolute city center compared to other options.

7. Value & Pricing

sly Berlin is generally considered to offer good value for its quality service and modern amenities. Room rates can vary, with prices observed to range from approximately $105 to $210 or more per night, depending on the room category, time of booking, and platform. Guests should budget an additional EUR 28 per person for breakfast if it's not included in their booking. Private parking is available on-site for approximately EUR 25 per day. Some guests found the prices at the hotel's restaurant and bar to be on the higher side.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some recurring points of criticism include:

  • No In-Room Mini-Fridge: The absence of a traditional minibar or refrigerator in the rooms is noted by several guests, although the lobby Späti offers an alternative.
  • Air Conditioning Noise: A few guests reported the air conditioning system could be loud or emit a "whining sound."
  • Pillow Comfort: Some found the pillows to be "way too soft" for a comfortable night's sleep.
  • Breakfast Price/Quality: While generally praised, some guests felt the breakfast was overpriced if not included, and a few mentioned specific items being dry.
  • Shower Pressure/Temperature: Inconsistent water pressure and complicated hot/cold water settings in the shower were mentioned by some.
  • Location Perception: Despite excellent public transport, the immediate neighborhood was sometimes described as "remote" or "less than spectacular surroundings" for evening strolls.
  • Minor Room Amenities: Lack of proper tea cups or a kettle for non-coffee drinkers in rooms was noted.
  • Inconsistent Staff Experience: While overall staff feedback is glowing, a few guests encountered instances of less-than-ideal customer service from specific front desk personnel.

Sources

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  11. thehotelguru.com
  12. preferredhotels.com
  13. mrandmrssmith.com
  14. sly-berlin.com
  15. trip.com
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  19. mrandmrssmith.com
  20. atberlinhotels.com
  21. michelin.com
  22. sly-berlin.com
  23. sly-berlin.com
  24. berlinehotel.com
  25. kayak.com
  26. mrandmrssmith.com

Points to Consider

  • While reviews are largely positive, some recurring points of criticism include:

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