Can you help me pick a berlin hotel?
Nov 15th, 2015, 12:38 PM
#1
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Can you help me pick a berlin hotel?
I would like some help finding a good hotel in berlin. I am not so much worried about price, as it is location, we like to be near shopping and dining. where would that location be the best? I know berlin is spread out and every time I use google maps to find hotels, i really don't see any shopping districts and dining, unless I am not looking in the right hotel. any ideas? thanks in advance
Nov 15th, 2015, 09:18 PM
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What kind of shopping are you looking to do? My suggestion is that you do a bit of reading to decide which neighbourhood offers you the shopping experience you want, and then look for lodgings in that area. The shopping ares of Berlin are also filled with restaurants of all description/cuisine, so if you pick on the basis of your shopping desires, you needn't worry about the other.
Berlin has excellent public transportation, so if there is more than one shopping neighbourhood you like, you can easily get to the others.
Berlin has excellent public transportation, so if there is more than one shopping neighbourhood you like, you can easily get to the others.
Nov 15th, 2015, 09:20 PM
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Nov 16th, 2015, 01:58 AM
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We stayed at the Grand Hyatt last December and really enjoyed it. There is a large (indoor) shopping center just across the street. We also liked the hotel's spa and fitness facilities on their top floor, including an excellent indoor pool. The mall, as I recall, isn't a place for high-end shopping but there is a good selection of stores. Also a short walk from the Sony Center with its excellent cinema complex. U-bahn nearby.
Nov 16th, 2015, 06:45 AM
#10
How is anyone getting the Adlon Kempinski for $300 a night?
That is unheard of.
Galeries Lafayette is located near the intersection of Unter den Linden and the Friedrichstraße.
You definitely want to visit the Food Halls on the top floor of KaDeWe. I like to have a glass of Champagne whilst browsing the goodies.
Thin
That is unheard of.
Galeries Lafayette is located near the intersection of Unter den Linden and the Friedrichstraße.
You definitely want to visit the Food Halls on the top floor of KaDeWe. I like to have a glass of Champagne whilst browsing the goodies.
Thin
Nov 16th, 2015, 06:45 AM
#11
What's your price range? "Not worried" could mean anything.
I stayed at the Motel One on Leipziger Platz which is IN a shopping mall. Also right next to Potsdamer Platz and walking distance to the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate etc. with good transport links. But while perfectly comfortable, and with AC (much needed in July), it is not a luxury hotel.
http://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/b...ipziger-platz/
I stayed at the Motel One on Leipziger Platz which is IN a shopping mall. Also right next to Potsdamer Platz and walking distance to the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate etc. with good transport links. But while perfectly comfortable, and with AC (much needed in July), it is not a luxury hotel.
http://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/b...ipziger-platz/
Nov 18th, 2015, 06:13 PM
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I agree with the suggestion to look at the things you mention an interest in and work back to the hotel from there.
What are the shops, what type of shopping and or restaurants do you fancy? For example we stayed at the Sofitel which is right next to the Regent right on the Gendarmenmarkt. It's right around the corner from Galleries Lafayette and lots of the other high end international store. We stayed there because a lot of the smaller boutique places I'd have liked were booked up for Fashion Week.
Personally if I returned I would look outside of this area, or the area around the Adlon to the area around the Camper Hotel. We kept finding ourselves moving in that direction for restaurants plus its a hip area that's full of trendy boutiques and locally run design places. I'm not a big shopper but if you're looking for a more local feel heading in this direction would be a possibility.
What are the shops, what type of shopping and or restaurants do you fancy? For example we stayed at the Sofitel which is right next to the Regent right on the Gendarmenmarkt. It's right around the corner from Galleries Lafayette and lots of the other high end international store. We stayed there because a lot of the smaller boutique places I'd have liked were booked up for Fashion Week.
Personally if I returned I would look outside of this area, or the area around the Adlon to the area around the Camper Hotel. We kept finding ourselves moving in that direction for restaurants plus its a hip area that's full of trendy boutiques and locally run design places. I'm not a big shopper but if you're looking for a more local feel heading in this direction would be a possibility.
Nov 19th, 2015, 06:45 AM
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I have stayed at the Hilton, Marriott next to Potsdamer Platz and the Pro Maritim close to the train station. All were within walking distance of things to see and also shopping on Friedrichstrasse. I did walk through the park to the Ka De We but it was kind of far. The bus will get you there easy enough though.
Nov 20th, 2015, 03:50 AM
#16
OK, let's get VERY real here:
Do you care about being in a so-called "hip" neighborhood, whatever that really means?
Are you planning to actually USE any sort of public transport to actually get around? If yes, then location simply needs to be near a station if nothing else.
I am getting a little tired of these blatant fishing expeditions from people saying, "Help me pick..." and then we never hear from them again.
Go find a travel agent and PAY for it.
Do you care about being in a so-called "hip" neighborhood, whatever that really means?
Are you planning to actually USE any sort of public transport to actually get around? If yes, then location simply needs to be near a station if nothing else.
I am getting a little tired of these blatant fishing expeditions from people saying, "Help me pick..." and then we never hear from them again.
Go find a travel agent and PAY for it.
Nov 20th, 2015, 04:34 AM
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Dukey1- Remember the thread is read by many, maybe hundreds of people who will use the info provided in the replies to help with their own trip planning. The information is not wasted because the OP does not respond.
My thanks to all who help others with their thoughtful informative comments.
My thanks to all who help others with their thoughtful informative comments.
Nov 21st, 2015, 03:42 AM
#18
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I usually travel 10 to 12 times per year to Berlin and stay overnight. Each time, I use www.hrs.com to find a good deal. Most of the times I have the choice between several 5-star hotel with pool for €99, sometimes even including breakfast. Then I select my hotel due to location.
Given you preferences, these locations may be of interest for you:
1. Berlin-Mitte. There is ample shopping and dozens of restaurants along the Friedrichstraße, Unter den Linden and around the picuresque Gendarmenmarkt. You are also close to many tourist attractions and museums and have excellent access to public traffic. Good hotels in this area:
- The Westin Grand used to be the number hotel of the German Democratic Republic to impress their international guests. It is built in fake historical style, and certainly a five-star hotel.
- The Hilton is in a rather ugly building but is quite nice. The Executive rooms are really good, also the lounge (free meals and free alcoholic drinks of all kind), and sometimes you get good rates for the executive room.
- The Regent is a typical US-style hotel. I never stayed there because they have no pool but their restaurant Fischers Fritz (two Michelin stars) offers excellent deals for lunch.
- The Hotel de Rome (Rocco Forte) is Berlin's best hotel and has the style of a boutique hotel but is in the upper price range. But I have stayed there vor €230 which is a lot for Berlin but nothing for international standards.
- The Maritim Pro Arte also has a pool and still falls in the 5-star category but is a little lower than the other ones.
2. West Berlin. West Berlin is the old center of the western part of the city. There you find the very best shopping districts in town - the KaDeWe department store with the food halls and the Kurfürstendamm with a lot of posh stores. Also, abundant restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Here are the good hotels in the West:
- The Pullmann Schweizerhof is a 5-star hotel that often has very good rates. The largest pool in town.
- The Intercontinental on the other side of the street also has a large pool, a very good bar, a Michelin-star awarded restaurant and freshly renovated rooms.
- The Waldorf Astoria is brand new. I have not stayed there yet, so I cannot say something about it.
- The Brandenburger Hof is a charming boutique hotel with tradition (no pool).
- The Swissotel is a modern business hotel (no pool).
- The Hotel Q is the favourite of international movie stars. Very unique.
- The Hotel Palace is another 5-star hotel with a Michelin star restaurant, but showing some wear and tear.
- The Kempinski used to be a good hotel but has become somewhat run-down.
- The Grand Hotel Esplanade is an elegant hotel but requires a little bit of walking to the next U-Bahn station (which is where the KaDeWe is).
3. Potsdamer Platz
The Potsdamer Platz is a new development with a shopping mall and many office buildings. It is international style, has artificial atmosphere and is somewhat soulless. There are several US-style luxury hotels:
- Grand Hyatt.
- Ritz Carlton.
- Mandala.
- Marriott.
4. Brandenburger Tor/Pariser Platz
Located between Potsdamer Platz and Mitte you find the
- Adlon, a luxury hotel in fake historical style. Excellent service. Same price level as Hotel de Rome but not quite so good.
Given you preferences, these locations may be of interest for you:
1. Berlin-Mitte. There is ample shopping and dozens of restaurants along the Friedrichstraße, Unter den Linden and around the picuresque Gendarmenmarkt. You are also close to many tourist attractions and museums and have excellent access to public traffic. Good hotels in this area:
- The Westin Grand used to be the number hotel of the German Democratic Republic to impress their international guests. It is built in fake historical style, and certainly a five-star hotel.
- The Hilton is in a rather ugly building but is quite nice. The Executive rooms are really good, also the lounge (free meals and free alcoholic drinks of all kind), and sometimes you get good rates for the executive room.
- The Regent is a typical US-style hotel. I never stayed there because they have no pool but their restaurant Fischers Fritz (two Michelin stars) offers excellent deals for lunch.
- The Hotel de Rome (Rocco Forte) is Berlin's best hotel and has the style of a boutique hotel but is in the upper price range. But I have stayed there vor €230 which is a lot for Berlin but nothing for international standards.
- The Maritim Pro Arte also has a pool and still falls in the 5-star category but is a little lower than the other ones.
2. West Berlin. West Berlin is the old center of the western part of the city. There you find the very best shopping districts in town - the KaDeWe department store with the food halls and the Kurfürstendamm with a lot of posh stores. Also, abundant restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Here are the good hotels in the West:
- The Pullmann Schweizerhof is a 5-star hotel that often has very good rates. The largest pool in town.
- The Intercontinental on the other side of the street also has a large pool, a very good bar, a Michelin-star awarded restaurant and freshly renovated rooms.
- The Waldorf Astoria is brand new. I have not stayed there yet, so I cannot say something about it.
- The Brandenburger Hof is a charming boutique hotel with tradition (no pool).
- The Swissotel is a modern business hotel (no pool).
- The Hotel Q is the favourite of international movie stars. Very unique.
- The Hotel Palace is another 5-star hotel with a Michelin star restaurant, but showing some wear and tear.
- The Kempinski used to be a good hotel but has become somewhat run-down.
- The Grand Hotel Esplanade is an elegant hotel but requires a little bit of walking to the next U-Bahn station (which is where the KaDeWe is).
3. Potsdamer Platz
The Potsdamer Platz is a new development with a shopping mall and many office buildings. It is international style, has artificial atmosphere and is somewhat soulless. There are several US-style luxury hotels:
- Grand Hyatt.
- Ritz Carlton.
- Mandala.
- Marriott.
4. Brandenburger Tor/Pariser Platz
Located between Potsdamer Platz and Mitte you find the
- Adlon, a luxury hotel in fake historical style. Excellent service. Same price level as Hotel de Rome but not quite so good.
Nov 21st, 2015, 04:42 AM
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Dukey gets my vote.
One time OP's should have their account deleted.
As for others who might use the info, they all ask when they are in need, even if there is a similar thread going on...
Let us face it : we please ourselves by answering.
One time OP's should have their account deleted.
As for others who might use the info, they all ask when they are in need, even if there is a similar thread going on...
Let us face it : we please ourselves by answering.
Nov 21st, 2015, 09:00 AM
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"The Pullmann Schweizerhof is a 5-star hotel that often has very good rates. The largest pool in town."
We almost picked that hotel, but then heard from a few others who'd stayed there that the pool was just too cold for them to enjoy.
The Hyatt's pool is big enough to swim laps in. Moreover, it has hours that are for families and children to enjoy, and hours that are adults only, which is great for the serious swimmers.
A drawback (to some) is the Hyatt's stark lobby. Not warm or inviting. When I traveled with my elderly, widowed Mom, I picked hotels that had a lively, comfortable and attractive lobby salon (preferably with afternoon/evening piano player). That way, if she was tired from sightseeing, she was happy to relax with a beverage and a book in the lobby salon, listening to the music and watching the world go by.
All depends on what you want from your hotel. Our default choice in lodging is a four or five-star full service city hotel with spa, fitness center and pool. We really enjoy that "urban resort" vibe. Others, of course, prefer something completely different.
We almost picked that hotel, but then heard from a few others who'd stayed there that the pool was just too cold for them to enjoy.
The Hyatt's pool is big enough to swim laps in. Moreover, it has hours that are for families and children to enjoy, and hours that are adults only, which is great for the serious swimmers.
A drawback (to some) is the Hyatt's stark lobby. Not warm or inviting. When I traveled with my elderly, widowed Mom, I picked hotels that had a lively, comfortable and attractive lobby salon (preferably with afternoon/evening piano player). That way, if she was tired from sightseeing, she was happy to relax with a beverage and a book in the lobby salon, listening to the music and watching the world go by.
All depends on what you want from your hotel. Our default choice in lodging is a four or five-star full service city hotel with spa, fitness center and pool. We really enjoy that "urban resort" vibe. Others, of course, prefer something completely different.
