Accommodation in Berlin
 

We're visiting Berlin early next September and would like some suggestions for reasonably-priced accommodation that's within easy access of the main sites. My husband and I do a lot of walking when we are on holiday, so don't mind a bit of a hike to get from place to place. Two and three star hotels do us nicely, but I'm not sure of what the average cost would be in Berlin. Last May, in Cinque Terre and Tuscany, we paid around 90 euros a night for simple, but clean and comfortable digs.
Thanks in advance, for your help
vanessagillian

A couple of times I've stayed at the Hotel Bregenz on Bregenzer Strasse. Large and pleasant rooms. I don't recall what I paid, but it was reasonable--around $100, I think. It's just of the Kurfurstendam and there's very good bus service down the street and around the corner. There's also a really good, and not too expensive Italian restaurant down the street--called La Vigna. I recommend both the hotel and the restaurant.

I'm going (again)m to Berlin in May. I have done a considerable amount of research and decided on booking a room at the Circus Hotel.
http://www.circus-berlin.de/

I booked at single room for EUR70 a night, breakfast extra for EUR8.

There have been a lot of favorable comments on TripAdvisor, Berlin Forum, and the New York Times Sunday travel section also had a favorable write-up a few weeks ago.

Be sure to read their blurb on their efforts to be environmentally correct, because it lists some lof the limitations of the hotel that might be important to you, e.g. no A/C (which I really don't need in May), no mini-bar (never use them, always bring my own booze), etc. But the location can't be beat.

We've had two good results with 4 star hotels in Berlin Mitte, on Priceline, booked months ahead. This time, for July, we've got the Maritim in Friedrichstrasse, not far from the Brandenburg Gate. Last time, in April year before last, I think it was the Renaissance near the Spittelmarkt, which was a lovely hotel and convenient. Both were around $110US,though much, much more bought any other way. Don't tell everybody, though! Why limit yourself to 2-3 star when four star is available? We walk lots too, and it's lovely to come home to luxury.

"Last time, in April year before last, I think it was the Renaissance near the Spittelmarkt, which was a lovely hotel and convenient."

There is no Renaisance in Berlin and there has never been one.

For EUR 90 per night you could actually get some pretty upscale hotels already in Berlin, which in general is dirt cheap with regards to hotels, restaurants and general cost of living.

Take a first look at hrs, a reliable German consolidator, for an idea of prices and what's available. If you have identified something you'd like compare with the specific hotel's website directly. In general you may want to stay in the area of Mitte, i.e. between Brandenburger Tor and Alexanderplatz (Centre of East Berlin) of or in Charlottenburg/Wilmersdorf, i.e. somewhere around Kurfuerstendamm (Centre of West Berlin) or on modern, but slightlty sterile and artificial (but not bad) Potsdamer Platz. For any specific comments, do come back here.

We enjoyed the Arcotel Velvet on Oranienburgerstrasse. Nice location and interesting exterior and interior design. Staff members were very helpful, too.

FYI, This site explains German hotel star ratings:
http://www.germantouristhotels.com/hotel_ratings.htm

Oh, note that the requirements for the various star levels are minimums. So the rooms in a one-star hotel might actually be larger than the 8m2/12m2 minimum shown, but maybe it doesn't sell toothbrushes and razors, so it can't be a 2 star. Or there can be a wonderful 3-star hotel that isn't a 4-star just because it doesn't have an a la carte restaurant.