danon

booking.com
also gives size of the rooms and numerous comments by those
who stayed at the hotel.

foolforfrance

RM67-I do use booking.com for reviews and room types, etc. but sometimes a hotel is "sold out" but still has rooms on actual hotel website. Also, I read a post that said actual website gives best price.

WeisserTee

We've used booking.com a lot -- most recently to book a room at Raffles in Singapore and at hotels in Milan and Bologna. BUT if I belong to a hotel rewards program and want to book a room in one of their hotels, I book with the hotel directly (either on their website or by writing them). Many hotel rewards programs will not give points for stays booked through a third party like booking.com (like the Sofitel in NYC -- I stayed 8 nights there and because I booked through booking.com, got 0 points). Just something to keep in mind.

WeisserTee

"Also, I read a post that said actual website gives best price."

I have had that experience. The actual room price may be the same, but we got more perks and better shots at free upgrades if booking through the hotel directly. We still use booking.com but not for all stays.

Wit_Van_Brug

I will usually look at Booking.com and find the hotel that suits me and then go to the Hotel website to see if I get a comparable or better deal. As 'fool' says, booking sites only have a certain number of rooms allocated to them, which is why you go onto the hotel site and still see availability.
I have recently re-joined Hilton Honors and also Club Carlson (Radisson etc) and have got very good deals in both as a result. 'Loyalty card' guests also get a better chance of an upgrade or some say on the room (better view etc.) The cards cost nothing.

foolforfrance

I can't thank you folks enough for the input.

Presently booked at the Hilton Berlin. If a better price comes up at the Melia or Marriott Potsdamer Platz in the next few days, I will switch. Both Melia and Marriott have a 14 day cancel policy, while Hilton gives you 7 days.

We will be traveling carryon so was curious if these 3 hotels are equally convenient for travel to and from the main train station.

danon

If you stay at Melia ask for a room facing the courtyard.!

Melia is .one stop from the main train station...
S Bahn and U bahn Friedrichstraße
are a few minutes from the hotel.

The other locations are also convenient ...

foolforfrance

danon-I was studying the map and all that you mention and I guess Melia does win the public transport convenience category....sounds like the Hilton and Marriott are equal for a close second.

This thread will be very helpful for someone in the future as it gives great suggestions for 5 star, design and ApartHotels. There may have been a few 4 star mentioned too.

danon

All 3 hotels you are looking at are centrally located.
I prefer Malia and Hilton locations for closnes to restaurants, cafes and shopping I
like ( also , a bit closer to some museums.)

Public transit in Berlin is excellent .....it is a huge city, but easy to get around.

traveller1959

You are right, Melia wins the public transport category, but the Hilton has a MUCH nicer location and is the better hotel.

Orlajones1

Berlin hotel is one of the best hotels in the town,placed at good location, offers full apartments with comfortable bedrooms and attached bathrooms,they provide kitchen etc. Also provide pools,gyms and restaurants.They have good qualified staff and best chefs.We have visited this place several times.Lovely hospitality and great food which feels like homemade. A great choice whilst in berlin. Soup and salad help yourself too.

foolforfrance

Thank you Orlajones1. This is definitely less expensive with good reviews as is Traveller1959's rec of Eurostars Hotel.

If you have stayed at both, please give thoughts and vote on Ritz vs. Hilton Berlin.

My friend sent me the link to September events in Berlin and we are staying in Berlin during a stretch with so much going on!

danon

"You are right, Melia wins the public transport category, but the Hilton has a MUCH nicer location and is the better hotel."

Agree.

foolforfrance

traveller1959-I received an email from Adina Checkpoint Charlie (not the one Pat in Mich recommended at Hackenscher Market) w/ a great price on a studio connected to a 1 BR for 1287E for the 3 nights. Such a great price. My hesitations are, the rooms are on the street and there is an apartment building under construction adjacent to the property and it seems we would be spending more time getting to and from the sights. I had to answer quickly, so I passed. I did some quick reading of booking.com and TA reviews and they were good, but a few did mention noise.

What do you think of the Hackenscher location...nothing available, but thinking of next visit and anyone reading this thread for help

traveller1959

The Adina Checkpoint Charlie is about 400 meters from the next U-Bahn station and 500 meters from Gendarmenmarkt. Many attractions of Berlin-Mitte are in walking distance.

It is a rather quiet location, with governement buildings around (I am often there for business).

The Adina hotels are brand new, so you can expect excellent noise insulation. I have not stayed in this Adina hotel, but in other ones and I can honestly say, the apartments are excellent, spacious and well-furnished. It is like a hotel, with restaurant and pool and everything, but it is also like an apartment with full kitchen and washing machine etc. You can prepare your own meals on your apartment. And you have a real living room.

And the price is great. In fact, the price is so great that you don't have to think about taxis.

If I were you, I would go for it.