SORAT Hotel Ambassador Berlin

Entering the SORAT Hotel Ambassador Berlin can feel a like stepping back to the swinging '60s, which is entirely appropriate given that the hotel first opened its doors in 1964. From the exterior, the white, seven-story building displays a mod, minimalist facade. Inside, a color palette of Austin Powers orange, wine red, and dark green, keeps a retro look alive, although the look can sometime cross the line from throwback to simply dated. While lobby decor feels fresher than what's found in rooms, it can be a little odd: The sitting area features boxy pleather armchairs and a divider mounted with pastel-colored cubes. Reception is flanked by a the sitting area and a bar area, which features table service in a lounge and spills out into the courtyard in summer months. The atmosphere here is laid-back, and couples who are staying at the hotel will grab a drink in the evening and linger. Guests, which include travelers from Germany and beyond, tend to be duos making use of the property's double rooms. 

While not in Berlin's central Mitte district, SORAT Hotel Ambassador Berlin still has an excellent location on the border of Schöneberg and trendy Charlottenburg, which is known for its high-end shops. The street directly in front of the hotel is fairly quiet, yet it's just a three-minute walk to the bustling boulevard that becomes Kurfürstendamm, a major shopping street lined with everything from the luxury KaDeWa department store (the second largest department store in Europe) to UNIQLO's flagship store to a LEGO store with a toy replica of Brandenburg Gate. The Europa Centre shopping and Bikini Berlin "concept mall" are both about a 10-minute walk. For dining, there's everything from classy restaurants to currywurst stands. Nearby sights include the Zoo in the Tiergarten (five-minute walk) and the historic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (11-minute walk). 

For attractions farther out, a U-Bahn stop is just a three-minute walk from the hotel. Sights in Berlin's Mitte district, like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and Alexanderplatz, are reachable in 15 to 25 minutes. By public transit, it's 50 minutes to Berlin Schönefeld Airport, 30 minutes to Berlin Tegal Airport, and 20 minutes to Berlin Central Station

The '60s/'70s vibe from the lobby carries into guest rooms, albeit in a sparer and slightly down-at-the-heels way. Wall-to-wall carpeting ranges from bold teal to gray, and furnishings vary too, from plain IKEA-esque shelves and nightstands to arched headboards that feel several decades old. Artwork is often a single, nondescript framed picture hanging on off-white walls. In our room, the desk and open wardrobes were blond-wood laminate, while a desk chair and armchair were upholstered in orange microsuede and gray pleather. Bathrooms feature generic white tiling, either with combination showers and tubs or small shower stalls. 

Rooms are kept fairly clean, and bedsheets are fresh white. That said, wear and tear is evident, such as worn upholstery or stained carpeting, but nothing is atrocious. Guest do occasionally complain about maintenance: a clogged shower here, broken lightbulb there. 

All the rooms, save two, are either Standard Rooms or upgraded Comfort Rooms. Standard Rooms have almost no extra features other than flat-screen TVs, but they are well sized for an urban property, with most hitting at least 200 square feet. Comfort Rooms can be slightly bigger, but their main draw is their extra amenities like electric kettles with instant coffee and tea, free bottled water, and other welcome goodies, like an apple and/or a voucher for a free drink at the bar (depending on how you book your room). Comfort Rooms also add robes and a few individual amenities, like mini bottles of lotion and sewing kits, while Standard ones are limited to combination body wash/shampoo dispensers and hairdryers. Mini-fridges, safes, and air-conditioning are notably absent in all rooms. Wi-Fi is free, but guests complain it can be slow or spotty. (It stopped working several times during our visit.)

The two higher-category rooms (the Deluxe Room and the Wellness Suite) add space and sitting areas, and the Wellness Suite has a whirlpool tub. Of the hotel's 218 rooms, 28 are reserved for smokers. 

SORAT Hotel Ambassador's best feature is its lobby bar, which offers a daily happy hour, light snacks, and table service, as well as a spacious outdoor courtyard that's open in the warmer months. The hotel has no full-service restaurant, but there's an extensive breakfast buffet available for an extra fee. It's served in a nice, red-painted breakfast room or via room service. The hotel also has meeting and conference facilities that can accommodate up to 250 guests, but there are no fitness facilities. 

The front desk is open 24 hours and can provide everything from stamps to umbrellas on rainy days. For extra fees the hotel offers bike rentals, on-site parking, laundry service, luggage storage, or use of safes at reception. For guests traveling with children, babysitting can be arranged, and pets are allowed for a nightly fee. Wi-Fi throughout is free, though it can be a little slow and guests only get passcodes for two devices per room.