Palacina Berlin - Serviced Apartments

Despite an initial issue with check in the staff I encountered (both over the app and in person) were very pleasant and friendly and the issue was resolved. The security of the apartments is excellent - gated with keys and buzzers. The kitchen and bathroom were beautifully equipt and clean. There's a microwave, toaster, nespresso machine (with pods if people leave them), dishwasher and washing machine. Bathroom toiletries are provided and you get provided with the essentials such as washing up liquid, dish cloths and dishwasher tablets in the kitchen (no laundry detergent though). All the appliances are new and in great condition and the kitchen area is totally suitable for purpose for any length of stay with its 2 hob rings and oven. The utensils also seemed adequate for this type of accommodation. The shower was lovely with great water pressure. There was efficient heating and WiFi in the apartment. There was a lift in our building, but it stopped 'between floors' so there were still some stairs you may have to take. There is a small outside decking area which would be lovely in the summer, but it is much smaller than is shown online as there are only 3 tables. It is also incorporated into the parking area of the apartments and the bins are opposite. There are lots of restaurants and coffee houses just around the corner, and an Edeka supermarket on the corner by the U-Bahn. There are a few shops in the area but it is definitely more of a local neighbourhood.

The furniture, being black, was much older and more scuffed in reality than presented in the pictures online. The building has been renovated into flats so have not been sound proofed properly. We, unfortunately, had the upstairs neighbour from hell, but as he was a long term tenant we felt there was nothing we could do about it. It robbed us of the much needed sleep you need when you're on vacation and also made us feel we didn't want to go back to our apartment of an evening as it wasn't going to be relaxing. The bed was up against the wall on one side which was not only very uncomfortable but because of this the sheet hadn't been put on the mattress properly, so I ended up wrapped up in it by morning as it progressively came free during the night. Pure laziness on the part of the cleaners (they also didn't clean under the bed). The HDMI port in the TV in the living room didn't work so we had to watch Netflix in the bedroom, which totally negated booking an apartment in the first place ;if I'd wanted to watch TV on sitting on the bed like a teenager I would've booked a hotel room. All in all, whilst it was a pleasant apartment it fell short of our expectations. It was like it concentrated too much on looking luxurious (as it describes itself in online) and not enough with comfort. A place we stayed in last year was much more homely and comfortable (and soundproof!!!!). I wouldn't stay here again because of these factors.