Berlin hotels & hot spots
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,130
traveller1959, jake1, hsv, schuler, noe847, Dax, Cherrybomb, thank you so very much!
My daughter is going to book the Q, spending three nights. We thought the hotel was perfect for her.
Next, she's going to review your site seeing suggestions to plan. She enjoys historical and important monuments, along with shopping, fun bars and delicious food native to the area.
I think I'll see if there's a good tour for her to take for a day.
You're a terrific group and I appreciate your assistance, greatly.
My daughter is going to book the Q, spending three nights. We thought the hotel was perfect for her.
Next, she's going to review your site seeing suggestions to plan. She enjoys historical and important monuments, along with shopping, fun bars and delicious food native to the area.
I think I'll see if there's a good tour for her to take for a day.
You're a terrific group and I appreciate your assistance, greatly.
#25
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
TTess:
I second Shuler's message about Fasenenstrasse area:
>>>Fasanenstr. near Ludwig Church: Quiet, quaint and lovely little restaurants. No tourists. Best espressos and margaritas were found here.<<<<
On our last visit to Berlin we had a great rate at The Kempinski (corner Fasenenstr. and Ku'damm). Just a block south is an outstanding Italian resto (and many other restos) named Via Condotti..highly recommend it...there seem to many "night spots" in the area also.
Stu T.
I second Shuler's message about Fasenenstrasse area:
>>>Fasanenstr. near Ludwig Church: Quiet, quaint and lovely little restaurants. No tourists. Best espressos and margaritas were found here.<<<<
On our last visit to Berlin we had a great rate at The Kempinski (corner Fasenenstr. and Ku'damm). Just a block south is an outstanding Italian resto (and many other restos) named Via Condotti..highly recommend it...there seem to many "night spots" in the area also.
Stu T.
#27
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,472
BTilke, we've stayed on Gendarmenmarkt two of the three times we've visited Berlin. I think it's the best location - the square is beautiful and has lots of nice restaurants nearby. The U-bahn is quite close, and you're also close to Unter den Linden - and the bus lines. My husband and I are in our 50's, if that helps you. My daughters in their 20's liked the location, but if they were to go on their own, they would probably stay a different area of town.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Thanks! If we opt to fly from London, we plan to fly nonstop to Berlin, train down to Dresden which will be our base for several days, then train back up to Berlin the day before we leave, take a tour, spend the night and fly home the next day.
If we opt to train the whole way (Eurostar to Brussels, Thalys to Cologne, overnight in Cologne and train the next day to Dresden and overnight stop in Brussels on the way back) then Berlin will be just a day trip. I'm a train fan, so would prefer this second option, even if does take longer, but flying would be cheaper (even on a "regular" airline) and faster.
If we opt to train the whole way (Eurostar to Brussels, Thalys to Cologne, overnight in Cologne and train the next day to Dresden and overnight stop in Brussels on the way back) then Berlin will be just a day trip. I'm a train fan, so would prefer this second option, even if does take longer, but flying would be cheaper (even on a "regular" airline) and faster.
#30
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,721
The Q is a in a perfect location. Most fashionable bars and restaurants will be north of Ku'damm, especially in the Savignyplatz neighborhood.
Also lots of upscale shopping. For interior design a trip (in walking distance) to Stilwerk department store may interest her.
Subway is just one block away.
Mitte and Prenzelberg districts went out of fashion once they got into foreign travel guides as "must see" or "in" locations. Only crowds from rural parts of Germany think of those districts still as "chic" nowadays.
Also lots of upscale shopping. For interior design a trip (in walking distance) to Stilwerk department store may interest her.
Subway is just one block away.
Mitte and Prenzelberg districts went out of fashion once they got into foreign travel guides as "must see" or "in" locations. Only crowds from rural parts of Germany think of those districts still as "chic" nowadays.
#31
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Sorry, TTess, I did not mean to step on your turf. However, others had suggested other neighborhoods and I had heard good things about both the Gendarmenmarkt and the Sofitel there, which is why I brought it up.
However, I will now bow out of this thread so that its focus is ONLY the Q hotel and ONLY your daughter's trip.
However, I will now bow out of this thread so that its focus is ONLY the Q hotel and ONLY your daughter's trip.
#32
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,472
Well, BTilke, I wouldn't call your question a hijack; more of a piggyback seeing as it's pretty much on the topic "Berlin hotels & hot spots"... Anyway, I sure hope TTess was kidding 
Anyway, if you have any follow up questions, BTilke, you might just have to start your own thread. Or you could go to this thread and ask away:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34876270
It is a Hamburg thread that was hijacked long ago and it has lots of Berlin info at the end. I'm pretty sure DAX won't mind! Anyway, there are some Dresden trip reports that I could point you to, once you get to a thread you're not hijacking...
Cowboy1968, you are no doubt right about the hip(pest) area, especially for residents, but for our tourist purposes, Mitte has been a good location.
Anyway, if you have any follow up questions, BTilke, you might just have to start your own thread. Or you could go to this thread and ask away:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34876270
It is a Hamburg thread that was hijacked long ago and it has lots of Berlin info at the end. I'm pretty sure DAX won't mind! Anyway, there are some Dresden trip reports that I could point you to, once you get to a thread you're not hijacking...
Cowboy1968, you are no doubt right about the hip(pest) area, especially for residents, but for our tourist purposes, Mitte has been a good location.
#35
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,833
I've never stayed at the Sofitel but have stayed at the Regent hotel next door (when it was Four Seasons). I would recommend the Gendarmenmarkt anytime anyday. It's picturesque and beautifully renovated area, not to mention easy access to most if not all Berlin Mitte atttractions from Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island to Prenzlauerberg. Lots of great restaurants including Aigner if you are looking for Plachutta type of Tafelspitz with soup. Borchardt is just across the street from Aigner. Lunch specials at Fischer Fritz inside the Regent is also highly recomended.
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,130
Update! The kiddo arrived in Berlin and LOVES the Q! She checked in today. She had to fly from Paris to London to Berlin because there were no direct flights, she could find, from Paris to Berlin. She said she's going to have dinner at the Thai restaurant tonight. She described the hotel as a European version of the W.
Anyway, thanks to those who recommended it. Your expertise is so appreciated - what a wonderful group!
Anyway, thanks to those who recommended it. Your expertise is so appreciated - what a wonderful group!
#37
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
Umm TTess,
>no direct flights from Paris to Berlin<
This is Paris, TX to Berlin, WI, right? Because an informal VERY superficial search gives me at least 7 nonstop flights from Paris (France) to Berlin (Germany) on saturdays and 10 on week days.
I simply wonder how you were able not to find one single direct flight. Or am I missing something?
For European flights you may want to try this site:
www.swoodoo.de
cheers, I hope your daughter enjoys Berlin.
>no direct flights from Paris to Berlin<
This is Paris, TX to Berlin, WI, right? Because an informal VERY superficial search gives me at least 7 nonstop flights from Paris (France) to Berlin (Germany) on saturdays and 10 on week days.
I simply wonder how you were able not to find one single direct flight. Or am I missing something?
For European flights you may want to try this site:
www.swoodoo.de
cheers, I hope your daughter enjoys Berlin.
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,130
Rasp - I left the flights up to her...I don't have a clue about her search. It appears that i should've helped, though. Do I dare share your note with her? LOL! She's always been one of those "Mom, I can do it myself" kind of kids. At least she let me help her with the hotel.
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,130
raspberry7 - got my answer from the kiddo who is now safe and sound at home. She said that she had to fly British Air. Therefore, she flew thae aforementioned route.
She loved Berlin and the areas surrounding her hotel, by the way. She wasn't aware of the open nudity and said she was shocked while walking through a park and suddenly seeing a sea of naked people sunning themselves. I guess if you were not expecting it, it would be shocking. LOL!
She loved Berlin and the areas surrounding her hotel, by the way. She wasn't aware of the open nudity and said she was shocked while walking through a park and suddenly seeing a sea of naked people sunning themselves. I guess if you were not expecting it, it would be shocking. LOL!
