OK . . . I admit it . . . I'm cheap. I don't want a 5* hotel (I really do but can't) . . . all I really need is safe, clean, private bathroom.

I would like to keep the price (for a double) under $80/night (approx 55e), our dates are Mar 15-23, 2008. Anyone know a good place?

Years ago when I went to Europe, there were tourist agencies in the airport and train stations that booked hotels in all price ranges and we stayed in some really nice and inexpensive places . . . are those still available?

We've been traveling in Asia and Central/South America the past few years because of the weak dollar but my travel partner wants to visit Berlin. I'm having severe "sticker" shock (I do all the planning).

Any and all help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sandy (in Denton)

I rented a great apartment in Prenzlauerberg in March 2007 for 300 euro for the week. The manager lives in the same building - I loved the place. I wrote a review on slowtrav if you want to check it out:

http://www.slowtrav.com/other/vr/review.asp?n=3082

Have fun planning -

The prices in Berlin are so cheap, typically, that there is no need to look for "budget" places.

In 2006, we stayed at the Mercure den Charité for about 57 Euros per night (and in 2007, before I changed plans, we were going to stay there again for 66 Euros per night including breakfast). On a previous stay, I won a 4* Priceline bid for a cheap rate at the Westin Grand. Right now, the Marriott Courtyard is coming up on a Priceline bid for $55 USD, plus taxes and fees, or less per night (although no guarantee you would get the same hotel at the same price, of course). In any event, I'd recommend looking into Priceline at Betterbidding.com .

I would take a look at the Ibis properties which often have the 49-Euro rate special if booked far enough in advance. But take a look at other Accor properties too:
http://www.accorhotels.com

Also look at:
http://www.hrs.de
http://www.booking.com
http://www.hotel.de

I also saw some very good rates a while back through www.ameropa.de - a German travel agency associated with Deutsche Bahn.

Check out www.bookingbuddy.com to gain access to a number of different booking engines.

I agree with the suggestion to try IBIS hotels or others in the accor group.

Another idea is to try apartments. A site which lists a lot in various areas is

www.all-berlin-apartments.com/

Berlin is a great city and reasonably prices so i'm sure you'll have a great time.

i stayed at a holiday inn express with full buffet breakfast for only 60 euros. it was a few blocks from the marriot.

Thanks to all . . . I have started looking at these links and what a lot of choices! These should keep me busy.

rialtogrl: I'm really liked that the apartment you rented had an on-site manager . . . nice and thorough report you posted on SlowTrav.

In many of the places I've looked at, there appears to be only one bed with two duvets. Is that the norm? We really prefer two beds.

Again, thanks for the suggestions and links . . . I'll report back when I make a choice.

Sandy (in Denton)

My experience so far is that in Germany, the most common configuration is two beds next to each other with a space, either with separate duvets or one large duvet. You could probably ask for an extra duvet, but you will have to look extra hard to be sure of getting "real", separated twin beds at a budget establishment.

I haven't stayed at either of these but I just did this same research and these were my top picks:

Pension Peters:
http://www.pension-peters-berlin.de/fs_pen0.htm

Die Fabrik (sounds like a cool, upscale hostel)
http://www.pension-peters-berlin.de/fs_pen0.htm

i stay in ETAP in eastern Berlin for 30 euros a night - sleeps up to three - right on S-Bahn line
www.etaphotels.com

ETAP, if it's set up in the same style as I've seen in a similar hotel, has a smallish double bed (good for two petite adults maybe), and a bed as a bunk above the double bed. And the room is small. So it's OK, but I wouldn't consider it a first choice for two adults of normal size.

Hi
About 3 yrs ago we got a great deal at a hotel, centrally locatedn ear Potsdamer Platz. It was the Movenpick Berlin. Built in a converted wherehouse. Great contemporary roon. we paid 99 USD for the room including breakfast buffet. It's a 4*. we booked through the Movenpick 800#.. They also have a website, with better location details.

I read rialtogrl's review on Slowtrav and looked at hundreds of apartments/hotels on the other sites mentioned.

I have decided on rialtogrl's choice. I emailed her contact and received a response back quickly. He was vacationing in Vietnam but was able to reserve my dates (except for the last night).

Hopefully, I'll have as good an experience as rialtogrl . . . and I'll be sure to report back.

Thanks again,
Sandy (in Denton)

Hi, yeah I know loads of good Berlin hotels at http://www.all-berlin-apartments.com/ with a company that I really trust, Open House Spain. Me and my husband always book our accommodation with them, we're only teachers, so as you can imagine, not very well off at all! You can always find something there...

We are visiting Berlin for 3 days in the 3rd week of August.
I do not know much about the neighborhoods in Berlin. Can you suggest a safe hotel and neighborhood for a family in Berlin?

Thanks in advance.

Tugozi, Thin recommends the four-star Melia Sol on Friedrichstrasse, right next to the Spree and down the street from Museum Island. Short walk to Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building. Very safe and upscale nabe.

Across the street is the Friedrichstrasse Bahnhof--filled with lots of coffee places, newspaper stands, and supermarket.

Thin

try Hotel Castel in WB near the Kudam. It's reasonable and I slept on one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on. Of course that was because I slept on an airplane seat the night before.

Very safe neighborhood and very upscale.

On Thin's recommendation ( here) I stayed at Melia for 6 nights just 2 weeks ago.
Perfect location, nice big room, good price, many restaurants by the river, public transit at the door .

Ask for a room facing THE COURTYARD .