2 June

Arrived Berlin after a lovely ride through the forests and then the
outskirts of Berlin. Got to the hotel, about a 40 km ride,on bike paths the
whole way and no map. GPS got us to the hotel, the final few kms. Good
hotel, thanks the Michelle and George.

This is the Westin Grand Hotel Berlin. Good location and suitably grand
upon entry. All went well at checkin and they explained that we could not
take the bikes to the room. Fine, then put them in the service closet (this
is a typical solution in good hotels and has worked fine all over the
continent, never had a problem). However, the bell man takes me to the
street and suggests we leave the bikes outside on a public rack for the
duration. What! Fussing, need the manager but got the concierge. "The
luggage room is full". So, I stood my ground. Why is that my concern.

This is a grand hotel I explain and not the first time we have been in good
hotels. In the Gasthaus we have to use the faradgarage but … "Yes, but
we are not a Gasthaus" My point exactly. I will be happy to take the
bikes to the room. "It will ruin the elevators". You are a grand hotel,
no? Find a solution. Then put them somewhere inside and safe. The
eventual compromise was to put them in the luggage room with a promise not
to move them from the room unless he discusses this with me.

The Grand Hotel does have some good features – a real American style king
sized bed, the first since our journey started. Pool is closed,
renovations, but we can use the Hilton two blocks over.

Walked the area and shops for a while and found a Galleries Lafayette only
150m from the hotel. Excellent gourmet shop in the underground floor so we
stocked up for dinner. Will go back there to eat frequently I suspect.

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