I have several options for Berlin hotels that I was seeking feedback on. Main concerns are location (i.e. proximity to transport) and safety. I realize Berlin is a huge city and I will be using public transportation often! Another bonus would be good access to Tegal and Schonbrunn airports, as I think I may be using both.

1) This seems to be my top choice, just because of the great rate and location.

Pension 1a Apartment.
36.50 Euros for private WC/shower.

Is Prenzlauer Berg a safe location? It seems to be trendy and close to Mitte.

I'm not quite sure if this is an apartment or a guesthouse ... I think it would be the pension part.

2) Pension Nuernberger Eck
60 Euros WC/shower, 45 with shared facilities with one other room.

3) Hotel Am Savignyplatz
50 Euros private WC/shower

4) Apartmenthaus Berlin Mitte (owned by Pension Peters but not PP itself).

50 Euros per night. Seems like a great location, but I don't know how thrilled I am about an apartment.

5) Märkischer Hof
50 Euros for shower in room, private WC outside.

4-5 probably seem like the best locations, but are pricer than 1, and over 5 nights it could add up. 2-3 also seem nice in being in a cool part close to Ku'damm, but it is significantly more Western. Would I want to stay in the East or West? I will definitely be seeing sights in both parts, but it seems like the East has a bit more to see/do.

ttt

Two years ago we stayed in an Etap Hotel on Anhalterstrasse, very close to Potsdamer Platz for less than 50 E ( for 3 of us). We looked out on the former Gestapo headquarters just west of the old wall. The U and S bahn are so fantastic in Berlin that anyplace in the central "ring" is just fine.

Thank you. Unfortunately the ETAP is all booked up. There were some other good Accor Hotels for around 59 Euros, but I think I'd like to go a bit lower and something that isn't part of a chain.

have you checked www.easyjet.com website for rooms?

also, www.gtahotels.com

Hi Joe

I stayed at Prenzlauer Berg in September 2006. To be honest its a bit rundown. Its really a pension rather than hotel. The rooms are clean and quiet but have definitely seen better days. Its a good kilometre walk to any of the metro stations but is very handy for Potsdammer Strasse and Potsdammer Platz. Be warned its very easy to walk past the entrance as its not signed and looks like the doorway to an office block. If its just somewhere to to put your head down at night its fine and reasonably well situated.

Berlin itself is very safe. But, as you said, its huge and travel times between sights are lengthy although public transport is very cheap and very easy to use. We travelled in from Schonefeld Airport

For nightlife head East and shopping West. Its a great city but like any you'll find big variations in food and drink prices at different locales. Around Zoo station it can be pricey but in the East or on Potzdammer Strasse, very cheap. Look out for the street food, any main street will have Imbiss selling currywurst, schnitzel etc at very low prices. If your looking to manage the budget then they're excellent for a quick lunch on the move. Hope you have a great time there, I know I did.

Hi Joe,

you don't need to bother to much about public transportation and safety. Berlin is compared to other cities one of the safes and has very good public transportation-system. 36,50 Euro for room with own shower/WC is a quite good price and also the location of Prenzlauer Berg is very good. If I would you I would choose the first option. I think there can be nothing wrong with it.

If you are looking for more accommodations in the same area I can recommend you the following page:

http://www.bandb-ring.de/p/rberline-prenzlauer-berg.htm

There is a little map withe the area arround Kollwithplatz and you find lots of information of the area on the page of the accommodations.

An other area I can recommend you is arround Simon-Dach-Str. in Friedrichshain. Its similar like arround Kollwitzplatz. There are about 120 pubs, cafés, restaurants and so on.

What you should definalty know about Berlin: There is no city-center like you might know from other cities. Berlin has several centers in Berlin and every "Berliner" is sticking in there own district. That makes it a bit difficult for tourists but as I think this is also what makes Berlin so interesting. You have the feeling to be in different cities at the same time.

I wish you a very nice stay in Berlin!!

Thanks for the replies. Wellididntknow that, do you mean you stayed in the PB area, or at the 1a guesthouse? Thanks for the review.

Hi Jo

I actually stayed in that pension. I enjoyed it but it was basic. The hallways were a bit musty and the carpets threadbare but as I said the rooms were clean. At that price I had no complaints.

gschulz: That's a great B&B website, I often come to Berlin but always stay in hotels so I'd like to try one of those B&B to get a better feel of the local neighborhood & people. After reading some comments above, I'm curious if there's any particular pension that is more upscale/updated or is such an expectation unrealistic?

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