Hotel Mueggelsee Berlin

Set in a scenic natural setting far outside the city center on the edge of a lake, Hotel Mueggelsee is ideal for guests looking for a retreat or a setting for business events and conferences. The hotel is housed in a long four-story building with balconies stretching across the length of its facade. It was built in 1977, and unsurprisingly, the interiors are dated and a throwback to the '70s, with mosaic floors and wood paneling in the lobby area that look like they haven't been replaced since. Photography and graphic art displayed in public spaces add a bit of interest, and views of the lake from many parts of the hotel are a plus point. Thanks to its many meeting rooms, this is a popular venue for conferences and various functions, and many business travelers stay here for this reason. The hotel also caters to families as well as nature lovers seeking a break from the city. However, the distance from the city center does not make it ideal for leisure travelers visiting Berlin for its tourist attractions. 

Hotel Mueggelsee is situated on the banks of its eponymous lake, located south east of Berlin and about a 40-minute drive from the city center. A car is necessary to get around, as public transportation is limited in the area. A bus service links the area to Spindlersfeld S-Bahn Station (29 minutes away by bus or a 12-minute drive) or Bahnhofstr./Seelenbinderstr. (20 minutes by bus or a 12-minute drive) from where there are fast suburban trains to Berlin. It takes about an hour to reach Berlin Central Station from the hotel by public transit, or it's a 40-minute drive. Berlin Tegel Airport is a 40- to 50-minute drive away, while Schoenefeld Airport is 23 minutes away by car.

The best features of the rooms and suites at Hotel Mueggelsee Berlin are the large windows that let in plenty of natural light, plus most have balconies, some of which offer views of the lake. Rooms are clean and comfortable enough, but have a drab, old-fashioned look, with dated furniture, dark blue carpeting, and ugly patterned curtains. TVs are old tube-style models. Other standard amenities include mini-fridges and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is available but charged extra, and according to many guests, unreliable. 

Bathrooms have spacious shower stalls and are equipped with hairdryers and magnifying mirrors. Lower-category rooms have wall-mounted soap dispensers instead of separate toiletries. Several guests have complained of fluctuating temperatures when using the showers.

Suites include separate living areas but suffer from the same dated furniture and old TV sets. They do offer some extras like bathrobes and slippers, and the bathrooms are spacious and a bit more swanky, with separate bathtubs and showers, towel warmers, toiletries, and speaker systems. There are a few interconnecting guest rooms as well, which are ideal for families.

Apart from its natural setting, an extensive list of features is really the Hotel Mueggelsee's biggest selling point. Breakfast (charged extra) is served buffet-style, made up of a spread of hot and cold dishes, including cereals, dry fruits, croissants, different types of bread, pancakes, cold cuts, an assortment of cheeses, eggs, bacon, and baked beans. This is served in the lakeside restaurant that offers views of the lake from its patio. The restaurant is also open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. There's an adjacent Sports Bar with a pool table, as well as a more upscale-looking Captain's Bar.

The spa area is open in the afternoons and evenings only, and has three saunas, a Turkish Bath, and hot tubs; massage services are on offer. Other recreational facilities include an on-site bowling alley and bicycle rentals. The hotel also offers 16 flexible meeting rooms that can be booked for meetings, events, and banquets of up to 200 people. Wi-Fi is free only in the lobby, but the connection is not reliable. There are two computers with an internet connection that are available for guest use. On-site parking is charged extra. Pets are welcome.