Park Plaza Wallstreet Hotel Berlin Mitte: Our Honest Review for Gay Couples (Now Closed)

🔥 Sights, Flights & Boyfriends Hotel Rating: 4/5 👨‍🤝‍👨👨‍🤝‍👨👨‍🤝‍👨👨‍🤝‍👨

Short Summary: Reliable, Convenient & Excellent Value

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE: This Hotel Is Now Closed

We're sad to say but the Park Plaza Wallstreet Hotel Berlin Mitte permanently closed in August 2025 due to a change in ownership.

Looking for alternatives in Berlin? We recommend:

For Mid-Range Travellers: Hotel Berlin, Berlin

This reliable four-star option offers similar value and convenience. Located in Mitte with excellent transport connections, it's perfect for people who want comfort and convenience without breaking the bank. Expect spacious rooms, good service, and that all-important location between Schöneberg's gay scene and East Berlin's nightlife.

Book Hotel Berlin, Berlin on Booking.com

For Upmarket Stays: RIU Plaza Berlin

If you're after something more polished, the RIU Plaza Berlin sits on the Ku'Damm with proper luxury vibes. The 357 modern rooms come with city views, there's a rooftop terrace and gym, and you're a five-minute walk from KaDeWe department store. The breakfast is superb, and the location puts you right between the gay district of Schöneberg and Berlin's main attractions.

Book RIU Plaza Berlin on Booking.com

Want more Berlin hotel recommendations? Check out our guide to Berlin Pride 2025 where we share our favourite LGBTQ-friendly stays.

Table of Contents

• Why We Kept Coming Back
• Our Story: A Decade of Berlin Stays
• Location & Transport Links
• The Rooms: From Standard to Junior Suite
• Breakfast & Dining
• Hotel Amenities
• LGBTQ+ Experience & Safety
• Value for Money
• What We Loved (And What Needed Work)
• Quick Travel Guide
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts

Why We Kept Coming Back

Here's the thing about the Park Plaz

a Wallstreet Hotel Berlin Mitte. It wasn't the fanciest hotel we've ever stayed in. The carpets were getting a bit tired. The bathrooms definitely needed updating. But over ten years and countless trips to Berlin, this became our default booking.

Why? Location, location, location. And that breakfast. And the fact that as Radisson loyalty members, we always landed a junior suite upgrade without asking. Sometimes the best hotels aren't the ones with the most Instagram-worthy interiors, they're the ones that just work.

Our Story: A Decade of Berlin Stays

We first stumbled upon Park Plaza Wallstreet during one of our early Berlin trips. Back then, we were figuring out Berlin's geography, still getting lost on the U-Bahn, and definitely not au fait with the city's many neighbourhoods. A friend recommended Park Plaza as a solid four-star that wouldn't drain the travel fund.

That first stay was in a standard room, nothing special. However, by our third visit, we'd racked up enough Radisson points to hit their top tier. Suddenly, we were getting junior suites every time. Game changer.

Fast forward ten years, and we'd stayed here more times than we could count. Birthday weekends, Pride trips, random long weekends when Ryanair had a sale. The staff started recognising us. We knew exactly which U2 stop to get off at. And we'd perfected our Berlin routine starting with that hotel breakfast.

Location & Transport Links: Why This Spot Works

The Park Plaza Wallstreet sat in Berlin Mitte, which sounds fancy but isn't quite the postcard-perfect centre you might imagine. Think residential blocks, a few corner shops, and that distinctly East Berlin concrete architecture. However, the location was brilliant for getting around.

Transport Connections

The nearest U-Bahn station was an eight-minute walk, and from there, everything opened up:

• Alexanderplatz: 8 minutes on the U2
• Brandenburg Gate: 8 minutes on the U2
• Nollendorfplatz (Schöneberg's gay heartland): 15 minutes
• Warschauer Straße (for East Berlin nightlife): 12 minutes

We loved that you could reach Berlin's two main gay areas, Schöneberg in the west and Friedrichshain in the east, in roughly the same time. Perfect for couples who want to experience both sides of the city's queer scene.

The Neighbourhood

Immediately around the hotel? Fairly quiet. This wasn't Ku'Damm with its endless shops and restaurants. You had a couple of decent local spots, a Späti (corner shop) for emergency beers, but mostly it felt residential. Some people might find that dull. We found it peaceful after long days exploring the city.

💡 TIP: Download the BVG app before you arrive. Berlin's public transport is brilliant, but the ticketing system confuses everyone at first. A week pass costs around €36 and covers everything.

The Rooms: From Standard to Junior Suite

Let's talk room sizes because this varied massively depending on what you booked.

Room Categories & Sizes

• Superior Double/Twin Room: 20m² (215 ft²) - Cosy, bordering on tight
• Executive Double/Twin Room: 26m² (279 ft²) - More breathing room
• Junior Suite: 33m² (355 ft²) - Properly spacious
• Family Room: 47m² (505 ft²) - Huge, but we never tried it

We always got bumped to junior suites as loyalty members, and honestly, that made all the difference. At 33m², you had room for your suitcases, a proper seating area with an armchair or small sofa, and you didn't feel like you were living on top of each other.

What You Got in the Room

The beds were genuinely comfortable. Large doubles with decent mattresses and, praise be, rectangular pillows. If you've travelled around Europe, you'll know the struggle with those square pillows that seem designed to cause neck pain. Park Plaza got the pillow memo.

Each room came with:

• Large flat-screen TV (though channels were pretty basic)
• Mini fridge (empty, but useful for stocking up from the Späti)
• Coffee maker
• Safe
• Desk area (handy for catching up on work)
• Armchair/sofa in suites

The Bathroom Situation

The bathrooms were clean, everything worked, but they were starting to look dated compared to the rest of the hotel. The fixtures felt like they hadn't been updated in years. The tiles were tired. Nothing was broken or grotty, just noticeably past their prime.

That said, water pressure was decent, the showers were hot, and housekeeping kept everything spotless. It's just that if you're used to gleaming modern bathrooms, these felt a bit 2010.

Room Service & Housekeeping

By our last few stays, housekeeping had switched to every other day rather than daily. Environmental reasons, apparently. We didn't mind, fresh towels were available on request, and it felt more eco-conscious than having someone barging in every morning.

⚠️ HEADS UP: Some rooms were a proper hike from the lifts. We once ended up in a room that felt like it was in a different postcode. Request a room closer to the lift if walking long corridors after a night out doesn't appeal.

Breakfast & Dining: The Main Event

The breakfast at Park Plaza Wallstreet was, genuinely, one of the best hotel breakfasts we've had. And we've stayed in a lot of hotels.

Why the Breakfast Slapped

Breakfast usually cost extra (around €18-20 per person), but as top-tier Radisson members, ours came free. Even if you're paying, it's worth it.

The spread included:

• Proper German bread (dark rye, pretzels, the works)
• Fresh fruit and yoghurt
• Hot options: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages
• Smoked salmon and cold cuts
• Pastries and cakes
• Fresh juice and decent coffee

We're talking buffet style with everything freshly made. The coffee was actually good, not that watery nonsense you get in some chain hotels. And the dining area had plenty of seating, even during busy periods.

After a night at Berghain or SchwuZ, that breakfast was a lifesaver.

The Restaurant & Bar

The hotel restaurant and bar downstairs were fairly standard. We ate there a couple of times when we couldn't be bothered venturing out, and it was fine. Nothing spectacular, but reasonably priced and convenient.

However, Berlin's food scene is so good that we usually just grabbed breakfast at the hotel then ate out for dinner.

Hotel Amenities: What You Get

Park Plaza kept things simple but covered the basics:

The Gym

Small but functional. A few cardio machines, some weights, nothing fancy. We used it occasionally to justify all those German beers.

WiFi

Free throughout the hotel and surprisingly reliable. Good enough for Netflix in the room and uploading photos to Instagram without rage-quitting.

Air Conditioning

Every room had it, and it actually worked. Crucial during Berlin summers when the city turns into a furnace.

Concierge Service

The front desk staff were always helpful with restaurant recommendations, booking taxis, or printing boarding passes. They weren't overly chatty (very Berlin), but they knew their stuff.

Pet-Friendly

The hotel allowed pets on request, which we noticed quite a few guests taking advantage of. If you're travelling with your dog, this worked.

Private Parking

Available nearby for an extra charge. We never used it (public transport was too good), but handy if you're driving.

LGBTQ+ Experience & Safety in Berlin

Is Berlin Safe for Gay Couples?

Berlin is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in Europe. Full stop. We've been holding hands, kissing, and being visibly queer across this city for over a decade without a single issue.

Germany has strong anti-discrimination laws, same-sex marriage is legal, and Berlin specifically has a massive queer population. The city's gay scene is legendary, from Schöneberg's cosy bars to Friedrichshain's infamous techno clubs.

The Park Plaza Experience

Park Plaza Wallstreet was entirely gay-friendly, though not specifically marketed as such. Staff never batted an eyelid at two men checking into a double room. We saw other queer couples staying there regularly. It felt completely normal, which is exactly how it should be.

Berlin hotels, in general, are very used to LGBTQ+ guests. You won't encounter the awkwardness or judgment you might in less progressive destinations.

Where to Experience Berlin's Gay Scene

The city's queer life centres around two main areas:

Schöneberg (West Berlin): The traditional gay village around Nollendorfplatz and Motzstraße. Think cosy bars, cafés, and a more relaxed vibe. Tom's Bar, Heile Welt, and Connection Club are all here.

Friedrichshain (East Berlin): Where the big clubs live. Berghain (possibly the world's most famous gay club), Lab.oratory, and SchwuZ. More industrial, more intense, more techno.

From Park Plaza, you could reach both in 15-20 minutes on the U-Bahn.

Safety Tips for LGBTQ+ Travellers

• Public Affection: Fine throughout central Berlin. We've never had issues.
• Late-Night Transport: The U-Bahn and S-Bahn run all night on weekends. Always felt safe.
• Avoid: Outer eastern suburbs late at night. Stick to central districts.
• Apps: Romeo and Grindr are huge in Berlin if you're meeting people.
• Pride: Berlin Pride (CSD) happens in July and is absolutely massive. Book hotels months in advance.

Want the full Berlin Pride experience? Check our Berlin Pride 2025 guide for parade routes, parties, and where to stay.

Value for Money: Was It Worth It?

Here's where Park Plaza Wallstreet really delivered. As a four-star Radisson property, you were paying for solid quality without luxury prices.

What We Paid

Prices varied wildly depending on when you booked:

• Off-peak: €80-120 per night for a standard room
• Peak (Pride, Christmas markets): €150-200 per night
• Our cost as loyalty members: Usually got 20-30% off, plus the suite upgrade

What Made It Good Value

1. The Location: Central Mitte location with brilliant transport links
2. The Breakfast: If included or free with status, this alone was worth €40
3. Room Size: Junior suites at 33m² gave you proper space
4. Reliability: Clean, comfortable, no nasty surprises

Where It Fell Short

Look, this wasn't a luxury hotel. The bathrooms needed updating. Some carpets were worn. The décor felt dated. However, for the price, it punched well above its weight.

💰 COST BREAKDOWN: For a three-night weekend in Berlin, staying here meant more money for restaurants, bars, and experiences. That's the trade-off that mattered to us.

What We Loved (And What Needed Work)

What We Loved ❤️

✅ Brilliant location with easy U-Bahn access
✅ Outstanding breakfast that set you up for the day
✅ Spacious junior suites (if you had status or paid extra)
✅ Reliable, clean rooms that always delivered
✅ Friendly, helpful staff who remembered us
✅ Great value for a four-star Radisson
✅ Quiet location for proper sleep after clubbing
✅ LGBTQ-friendly without making a fuss about it

What Needed Work 🛠️

❌ Dated bathrooms showing their age
❌ Some worn carpets and paintwork
❌ Long walks from lifts depending on your room
❌ Limited local dining options in the immediate area
❌ Not suitable if you wanted cutting-edge luxury

WORTH IT? Yes, if you valued location, convenience, and value over trendy interiors. Not if you wanted a design hotel or boutique experience.

Quick Travel Guide: Planning Your Berlin Trip

Money & Costs

💶 Currency: Euro
💳 Card Payments: Widely accepted, but carry cash for smaller bars and Spätis
💰 Budget: €100-150 per person per day (mid-range)

Getting Around

🚇 Best Option: U-Bahn and S-Bahn (runs 24/7 on weekends)
🎫 Week Pass: €36 (covers all zones)
🚕 Taxis: Use FreeNow or Uber
🚲 Bike Rental: Great for summer, city's very flat

When to Visit

🌈 Best for LGBTQ+ Travellers:

• July: Berlin Pride (CSD) – massive celebrations
• September: Folsom Europe – leather and fetish festival
• October: SNAX at Berghain – legendary parties

🌞 Best Weather: May to September (15-25°C)
❄️ Cheapest: January and February (cold but fewer tourists)
🎄 Christmas Markets: Late November to early January

What to Pack

• Comfortable shoes (you'll walk miles)
• Layers (weather's unpredictable)
• Black clothes (for Berghain's door policy)
• Portable charger (long days exploring)
• Reusable water bottle (tap water's safe)

Sun & Weather Safety

Berlin's summers can be surprisingly hot (25-30°C). Carry sunscreen and stay hydrated. Winters are cold (0-5°C) and grey – pack warm layers.

Language & Culture

Most Berliners speak English, especially in central areas and the gay scene. However, learning basic German is appreciated:

• Danke (thank you)
• Bitte (please/you're welcome)
• Entschuldigung (excuse me)

Must-Try Experiences (Top 5)

1. Berghain: The world's most famous techno club (door policy's strict)
2. Sunday Brunch in Schöneberg: Café Berio or Tomasa
3. East Side Gallery: Longest preserved section of the Berlin Wall
4. Tempelhof Field: Former airport turned massive park
5. Currywurst: At least once, preferably drunk at 3am

FAQ: Berlin & Hotel Questions

Where's the best area to stay in Berlin for gay couples?

Schöneberg puts you in the heart of the traditional gay village with easy bar-hopping. Mitte (where Park Plaza was) gives you the best balance between west and east Berlin. Friedrichshain works if you're all about the club scene. We preferred Mitte for the central location and transport links.

How much should I budget for a weekend in Berlin?

€300-500 per person covers accommodation, food, transport, and nights out. Berlin's cheaper than London or Paris, but club entry and drinks add up. Budget more during Pride when hotel prices spike.

Is Berghain really that hard to get into?

Yes. The door policy is legendarily strict. Tips: go late (after 2am), dress in black, don't be obviously drunk, don't take photos near the door, and don't go in a huge group. Even then, rejection's common. Have a backup plan.

Do I need to book restaurants in advance?

Not usually for lunch, but popular dinner spots should be booked a day or two ahead, especially on weekends. Berlin's food scene's relaxed compared to some cities.

Can I drink tap water in Berlin?

Absolutely. It's safe, tastes fine, and saves you money. Fill up your water bottle from any tap.

What's the gay scene like compared to London or New York?

More industrial, more techno, more sexually liberated. Less polished than London, less commercial than New York. Berlin's gay scene feels genuinely countercultural rather than mainstream gentrified.

Should I buy a Berlin Welcome Card?

Only if you're planning heavy museum visits. For transport, the regular week pass (€36) is better value. The Welcome Card's discounts rarely pay for themselves unless you're museum-hopping.

Final Thoughts: Why We'll Miss Park Plaza Wallstreet

It's genuinely sad that Park Plaza Wallstreet Hotel Berlin Mitte has closed. Over a decade, this became more than just a hotel, it became our Berlin base. We knew which rooms had the best views. We had breakfast preferences. The staff recognised us.

Was it perfect? No. The bathrooms needed updating, some areas looked tired, and it was never going to win design awards. However, it delivered exactly what we needed: a clean, comfortable, brilliantly located base for exploring Berlin's incredible queer scene and wider city.

The value was exceptional. That breakfast was outstanding. And the location meant we could be at Brandenburg Gate, Berghain, or Schöneberg's bars in minutes.

Who Was Park Plaza Perfect For?

✅ Gay couples wanting reliable, LGBTQ-friendly accommodation
✅ Budget-conscious travellers who still wanted four-star comfort
✅ Radisson loyalty members (the upgrades were brilliant)
✅ Anyone prioritising location over trendy interiors
✅ People who value breakfast (seriously, it was that good)

Who Should've Looked Elsewhere?

❌ Luxury seekers wanting cutting-edge design
❌ Party people wanting to stumble home from Schöneberg
❌ Anyone needing loads of local restaurants within walking distance
❌ Travellers wanting Instagram-perfect interiors

Where to Stay Instead

Now that Park Plaza's closed, our recommendations depend on your budget:

Mid-Range: Hotel Berlin, Berlin offers similar value and location in Mitte with good transport links.

Upmarket: RIU Plaza Berlin gives you that extra polish, a rooftop terrace, and a Ku'Damm location.

Budget: Generator Hostel Berlin Mitte balances affordability with a social atmosphere.

Gay-Specific: Axel Hotel Berlin in Schöneberg if you want to be in the heart of the gay district.

Berlin's hotel scene is excellent across all budgets. You'll find something great, even if we're mourning the loss of our long-time favourite.

Ready to explore Berlin? Check out our Berlin Pride 2025 guide for everything you need to know about Europe's biggest Pride celebration.

Travel with us, always with love and a little luxe 🌈✈️

Joe & Alex
Sights, Flights & Boyfriends