Its always interesting to check out a new so called exclusive / private members scene particularly when it trades on a good name like Soho House, Berlin does. But whether its down to the city its in and its associated demographics or the fact that such a name will have inherent a small degree of complacency if it comes to accommodating guest preferences this is not really a hotel I would recommend as a venue in league with some of the 5 star options out there for the same or less than this price.

In my view it works best if a) you are in a group and want to take advantage of the pricing (at that time) of the apartments as we did or, b) you are 20 something and want a couple of nights of preening and posing by one of the 'coolest' poolsides in Berlin. I guess what's cool changes alot by the time you are in your 30s! and more so if later! One of the reasons we chose to stay here were the excellent prices on offer at the time the newly launched apartments became available. Some parts of the hotel are beautiful - particularly the corridors of the apartment levels but the industrialist chic seemed a bit dated at times. The good news is perhaps that the industrialist aspect (grey cement cracked walls in various places) can be painted over if at some point its too cool for skool ;)

Personally I do think that its unfair to advertise to hotel guests the great 'events' that are on (for example the Woody Allen docu was being screened that week) when you will in reality never have a fair chance (or any for that matter) of actually seeing any. Absolute priority is always given to Members of the Club which means that at 30 seats in the house each time coupled with the young media oriented demographic of cool Berlin its one hell of a skinny chance you'll get an opportunity to actually join any. We were told this without any real attempt to accomodate us even though we made our enquiry the week before...thats right get to the back of the queue seemingly even as it grows.

One thing that absolutely wins hands down as making it a place to chill out for a few days is the Cowshed Spa which has the best prices for this level of treatments known to mankind. My two massages were very variable from avergae to outstanding but the majority of treatments were excellent as were the facilities and beautiful decor. You are really transported into a relaxing environ which is part of the point of being there.

We didn't enjoy our 5 hour wait for the room to be ready when we arrived but when it was it was perfect. Really perfect in every way. On accommodation alone it scores high so I will change my 3 star to 4 based on the fact that this is afterall a hotel review not a bar/ club review except bear in mind that if excellent service is expected then you will be quite disappointed. But if you like young and 'cool' you won't :)

I know this should appear elsewhere but if you are a foodie and find the dining options at SHB limited like we did and happen to be staying in one of the apartments (complete with all cooking apparatus you can think of) then don't forget to take a trip to the amazing Ka De We store for your Guten Appetit! part of the day.

I looked at every hotel site possible before choosing the Soho House and the legwork paid off. We loved the hotel. The staff are all really friendly and helpful when you need something, but they're also very chill and relaxed. They don't have the kind of slick, smiley, eagerness, that comes with big brand luxury hotels and they don't wear uniforms, but we liked all that. We asked them for help doing several things and they were always ready to help and recommend. The lobby was always playing fantastic music, our room had Joy Division and Radiohead records in it and all the details were really well considered. Our room had an enormous king sized bed and an oversized corduroy sofa and armchair. It's the exact furniture I'd want in my own living room, it was so incredibly comfortable, but it would never fit in my apartment.

The pool is more for show than anything. It's small and shallow and surrounded by people eating/drinking/doing clothed things. Still it does its job, which is to look really amazing. It's gorgeous, as are all the common spaces.

The bathroom is the best appointed I've ever seen in any hotel. We had five full bottles of different signature shower gels, plus every little amenity you can think of. Two different kinds of moisturizer and lip balm. All of it was fantastic. We didn't go to the spa, but the spa products, which are featured in the room, are fantastic. Maybe like a Berlin version of Bliss Spa with less aggressive smells/packaging. Everything doesn't reek of lemon and sugar like Bliss does. I ran a bath and turned on the steam room and went back and forth between them while playing some records, it was the best. The floors are heated, the towel rack is heated and they give you free still and sparkling water, which they replace up to twice a day if your timing is right.

What it isn't is formal. It delivers on all luxury hotel points except in the service category. There aren't a million stiff people falling all over each other to help you do everything. There's no fawning all over you. This is exactly what we loved about the place. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and still always got what we needed. Instead of stiff service people who pander, we found the staff relatable and sincere. They got us taxis right away, did research for us, made calls, helped us with directions and maps. I thought they were lovely, just not that kind of hop-to thing that people might expect at a luxe hotel.

Highly recommended. It's one of the nicest hotels we've ever stayed in and yet, it's still a good value.

Wouldn't recommend it for kids. There aren't very many rooms and it's a pretty sedate, grown up atmosphere.

We have booked a small room, and upon arrival, the hotel receptionist gave us a choice of the three available, in detail explaining the difference between them. Something that I always expect, but never get, except this time at Soho.

The Small room was anything but small, nice view to the street, windows with excellent noise-isolation. All the Cowshed amenities in the bathroom. Coffee and tea making facilities in the room.

Excellent Club floor restaurant and bar. The food was nothing special, but service was really friendly, and they try hard.

Pity, I did not have time to try spa, but I will do this next time.