Stayed at the Mariott Postdamer Plaz last summer. Was a wonderful new hotel and had a special $99/night offer. I'd recommend staying in this part of town if you're looking for a place that's quiet but near all public transportation and most of the places tourists want to go to.

We stayed there in October 2005 and also loved this Marriott. We don't usually choose American chain hotels in Europe. We stayed there on a Priceline bid for $55/night. Posting this in case anyone else is looking for a very nice Berlin hotel for a good price.

i also used priceline to score a $55 (not Euro) for the Alsterhof-seemingly a fine quality 3-4 star located near DeWe.

Hi
We just returned from Berlin and stayed at the Movenpick Berlin. Paid aBOUT $125 per night including a great buffet bkfst. We were upgraded to a Jr. Suite. It is a very contemporary hotel, formerly a Siemans wherehouse. The renovation was done by Philip Starck. The staff and room was great. Its near the Potzdammer platz, within walking distance to Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate. Would stay there again.

This is interesting, especially given the often-heard, "I won't ever stay in an 'American chain' hotel because they are 'charmless'" and so forth.

In Berlin, we have always stayed in a hotel located about two blocks from the KaDeWe and the U-Bahn station across the street from it. We do so because we like that area and the clubs/nightlife nearby which we can walk to.

I think wherever one stays in this particular city really does/should depend on what is most important in terms of public transport, nightlife, shopping, daylife, etc.

Of course, this may hold true in any city so who is to say what is the "best" hotel???

I agree. I have never stayed in an American hotel chain in Europe before but loved this one.. My impression of Berlin is that its very spreadout (although absolutely great public transportation) therefore, I think its even more important for people to figure out what they are looking for. So DON'T stay in the Potsdamer Plaz if you're looking for nightlife. Do stay there if you're looking for quiet, close proximity to "tourist hotspots" and to new modern fabulous-architectually buildings.

Right on, Millie. We loved Potsdamer Platz too. The area fairly vibrated with modern architectural style, yet was close to the East Berlin sites that interested my husband. Interesting study in contrasts. Wish I were there right now!

I was told, that berlin offers quite bargains in 4* hotels. You can get a quite high standard (size and additional comfort as gym, pool, spa and air condition; the latter item us citizens seem to be in desperate need of) for a relative moderate prize, when compared with london hotel prize-comfort ratio.

Please do your own research on this item. In general, berlin is said to be cheap or at least priceworthy for everyday needs and basic provisions.

As a follow-on I would agree that the Potsdamer Platz is good for many, especially those who have never been to the city before.

I'm obviously a lone dissenting voice; but from passing through the area I don't think I'd have liked staying around Potsdamer Platz. It seemed to me to be mainly office buildings & rather soulless windswept open areas. We stayed on Friedrichstrasse, just off Unter den Linden, and liked that area a lot - lots of restaurants, near to 2 out of the 3 opera houses & close to most sights.I also found the architecture, both old & new, more interesting in that area.