Holiday Inn - the niu, Dwarf Berlin Schöneberg by IHG

This was a last-minute visit to Berlin, booked on Thursday, with my journey starting Friday evening after work. My choice of hotel was influenced by its location south of the city and its excellent transport links to and from BER Airport, as well as proximity to a parkrun I wanted to do. Travel time from BER to Schöneberg late Friday was around 40 minutes via the S-Bahn, with one line change. From the station, it’s a left turn and a short 3-minute walk to the hotel. The hotel is modern, fresh, and uniquely designed in terms of layout and size. The reception area is lovely, and the welcome was brilliant. Check-in was efficient, and I was asked whether I preferred a quiet or noisy room. I opted for the quiet side, opposite the road—although the whole area is fairly peaceful thanks to a neighbouring building that buffers sound. My room overlooked a small church and cemetery, adding a touch of charm. Rooms are decorated in a wonderfully imaginative way—starting with a watering can mounted on the wall! The room was well-equipped, and finally, a hotel where I could connect my phone to a speaker—not just one in the main room, but also a mirror speaker in the bathroom. Bluetooth-enabled and surprisingly powerful. The room was quiet, though I suspect most guests weren’t planning to blast techno… unlike me, once I found the speaker! The bathroom and shower were excellent. The body wash smelled like bubblegum, and everything felt fresh, new, and very clean. The bed was comfy, and I slept well with the window open, listening to birds outside. Despite being near a main road, the hotel felt shielded from traffic noise. There was a safe, plenty of storage, and the TV was excellent. I didn’t eat at the on-site restaurant and bar due to a lack of gluten-free options—including no gluten-free beer. No problem though—a short walk back to the station revealed several restaurants and shops. The local area may look a bit rundown, but it’s actually very pleasant. I chatted with a couple of friendly shopkeepers and stocked up on gluten-free beer and snacks. Take a walk beyond the main road (Sachsendamm) and you’ll find lots of cafés. I watched some football (FE Inter Berlin) and visited Pretty Hill Café, which was perfect in the sun and very peaceful. Nearby, PapalaCup Café was also lovely, with plenty of bars and eateries in the area. I continued my walk and visited Bowie’s former apartment on Hauptstraße. Checkout was easy, and I stored my bag while I explored for the day. On my return, the reception staff kindly helped me charge my phone and never made me feel rushed before heading back to the airport. For parkrun fans, this hotel is a great choice: Mauerweg parkrun: S-Bahn from Schöneberg to Südkreuz, then S25/S36 to Lichterfelde Ost, followed by a 2-mile walk/jog or the M11/X11 bus. Hasenheide parkrun: S46/42 to Neukölln, then U7 to Hermannplatz. Havelkanal parkrun: S42 to Südkreuz, then S25 north to Hennigsdorf. I previously took the S25 directly from Potsdamer Platz and jogged to the start, though buses are also available. This hotel was a refreshing choice. Schöneberg is real Berlin—it’s not polished or pretty, but it has character and soul. It’s authentic and gives you a taste of urban Berlin living. The hotel was perfect for a city break or longer stay. Quirky yet familiar in that IHG way. Efficient, welcoming, and well-located for exploring both the city centre and beyond. Brilliant also for getting around Berlin and getting into Mitte. Brilliant staff, very friendly, and an excellent hotel experience. Honestly, the Bluetooth speakers alone made it brilliant. Great hotel.