Waldorf Astoria Hotels in Berlin

I guess it is always difficult for a place when the expectations are pitched higher than the reality. Walking into the Waldorf Astoria, one was full of expectation. Wanting to experience the fabled service and amenities. Walking out was a let down. The hotel did not deliver. It all started with the check in process. The staff refused to check me in because the booking was in the name of my partner and he was not there with me. I had the confirmation number. The room was booked for two people. I was ready to give them my card and passport but the wonderful woman at reception refused to check me in because my family name and my partner’s family name don’t match! Give me a break. Surely in this day and age couples with different family names are a common feature? So I had to kill a couple of hours at the restaurant waiting for my partner to get back to the hotel. It’s one of the worst experiences in the world. You have just got off a flight. Your luggage has not made it. You have spent hours at the airport filling up forms and going through missing luggage hoops. All you want is to get to your room and stretch out. But no. The staff at the Waldorf thought I was a security risk The only bright spark was the Concierge Philip who gave us very good advice about the delayed baggage. The bar was not particularly exciting. The drinks were a disappointment and the service was okay. The maitre D at the restaurant was very good but the well done omelette was very underwhelming. Patchy and poor. Those two words describe the famed Waldorf Astoria in Berlin. Skippable.