When looking for a hotel right at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), you don’t have many options. The Steigenberger Berlin Airport Hotel is one of the few hotels located directly at the airport – perfect for my early flight. As an alternative, the Intercity Hotel is just a few meters further (review here). Unfortunately, there are no proper signs directing you to the hotel at BER. You first have to walk toward the S-Bahn station and then all the way back again. Sure, theoretically you could walk across the forecourt where the taxis are parked, but that’s not exactly encouraged.

I had booked my room in advance with a voucher (15% discount during a sale), but that’s exactly where the trouble began…

Check-in: A Bumpy Start

Let’s just say the check-in process wasn’t exactly smooth. The staff tried their best, but it was anything but efficient. Despite the fact that I had sent the voucher in advance, a large amount was still blocked on my credit card. I’m still waiting for that to be resolved. It was simply tedious and frustrating – and I’m not sure whether it was due to language barriers or simply a lack of training, but it definitely wasn’t ideal.

For those who prefer an automated check-in experience: there are also machines that are supposed to speed up the process. But honestly, that didn’t really help me either. It was just… cumbersome.

The Room: Comfortable, but Nothing Special

When I finally reached my room, it was exactly what you’d expect from a Steigenberger – tidy, comfortable, and clean.

The bathroom was on the left side, with a simple shower and toilet.

As always, the bed took up most of the room (who would have guessed?), but there was a large TV opposite that you could easily watch from bed – perfect for just switching off after a long day.

What I liked: there were two complimentary bottles of water on the table. Always a nice welcome touch!

There was also an armchair, a small table, a safe, and an empty minibar – nothing that really surprises you, but everything was there.

Amenities: Fitness, Restaurant & WiFi Issues

Let’s talk about the amenities. The hotel has a gym and fitness center (open 24 hours – perfect for anyone who wants to burn off some stress before their flight). On the first floor, there’s a bar and a restaurant, as well as a breakfast room right next to it.

I couldn’t visit the breakfast room (it was just too early for me!), but the bar and restaurant looked modern and stylish. What disappointed me a little though: the service staff were quite unfriendly and visibly stressed and annoyed by the guests. For me, that’s a major downside, because with a hotel like the Steigenberger, I simply expect more.

And then there were the WiFi issues – the internet was a real mess during my stay. The connection was often unstable and it took quite a while for everything to be fixed. Especially for guests who don’t want to pay high roaming charges (like me), that can be really frustrating. I was compensated with a free breakfast for the inconvenience, but honestly, I just wanted the whole thing to be resolved quickly.

Check-out: A Small Silver Lining

The check-out wasn’t entirely problem-free either, but at least I was promised a callback, which they actually followed through on. So, at least a small win at the end.

Verdict: Mixed Feelings

In the end, my stay at the Steigenberger Berlin Airport Hotel leaves me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the location is perfect for anyone who needs to be right at the airport, and the hotel is fine – clean and tidy, but not really exceptional.

However, the WiFi issues, the blocked amount on my credit card, and the overall frustrating check-in process cost me too much time and nerves. If I have to stay in Berlin again, I’d probably choose a different hotel from the same chain. This one simply didn’t meet my expectations.