Berlin questions
 

Looking for suggestions on where to stay as Berlin is such a large city. Prefer 5 star properties (within reason of course) close to UBahn and maybe the large department store there.

Also we like the hop on hop off bus option - which one would be the best?

You can easily take the U-Bahn to Wittenburg Platz which is across the street from the entrance to the KaDeWe department store; there is no need to stay within walking distance unless you really want to.

In terms of hotels are you interested in supposedly historic properties like the Adlon (I say supposedly since the place was basically entirely re-built after the war)? Or would you rather something more modern near the Potsdamer Platz such as the Ritz-Carlton or the more severe Hyatt with the fabulous rooftop pool?

I've stayed in all of them; lots depends on what you really want and what you consider to be luxurious.

The Westin Grand Hotel featured in The Bourne
Supremacy is on the corner of Unter den Linden
and Friedrichstraße in Berlin-Mitte.

Don't know about stars.

Well, if money is no object then you should shoot for the Adlon Kempinski. It sits right in front of the Brandenburger Tor.

You would be a short walk away from Galeries
Lafayette on Friedrichstrasse.

The Ritz-Carleton is in the Potsdammer Platz.

Lots of shops and a mall here. Also U-bahn stop.

It is about a 10 minute walk between the Ritz and the Adlon Kempinski.


Thin

Actually Berlin hotels are quite inexpensive compared to many other cities. You can usually get a basic/decent room in a 5* hotel in a good location for about 300 euros per night. Naturally more if you want more room.

I stayed at the Westin Grand. It is in a great location and is a lovely hotel. The dinner at their restaurant was very good too.

Don't forget the new Waldorf-Astoria near the Zoo and Kurfürstendamm if you look for five star hotels.

Hipsterwise, Mitte is completely off the hot list. While the old Western city center is on the rise.

Mitte may not be hipster, but it is convenient to the major sites in Berlin--Reichstag, Museum Island, Brandenbuger Tor, Kaiserdom, Checkpoint Charlie.

I stayed at the Melia on Friedrichstrasse and walked almost everywhere.

Thin

Thin:

I have a September reservation for the Melia. Would you stay there again?

Oh, definitely!

I stayed at the Melia in December, 2007.

It was a brand new hotel then and I only paid $45 a night for my very nice room with heated
bathroom floor!

The Melia is across the street from the Friedrichestrasse HBH. There are tons of shops, grocery store, takeaway coffee places
inside.

You are right down the street from Museum Island.

You can walk down the Friedrichstrasse to Galeries Lafayette with Laduree in the basement food halls!

Danon has stayed there also.

Thin

Thin is spot on.. the Melia is in a pretty perfect location for sightseeing - and for going out in the oh-so-touristy Hackescher Markt neighborhood :-) I was just kidding a little about the hot and not list, as this is more a factor where people wish to rent (or can afford to rent), and not what is interesting from the tourist's perspective.

I would stay at the Melia, even if it was "only" a four star property.

Beware: Unter der Linden is now one major construction site in the median where the street hits Friedrichstr. A new subway line is being built. The Melia is far enough away from that mess, though.

Thanks for the info. Looks like a good choice.

The great thing about really being "in" is that you never have to tell anybody about it.

Thanks all for the info. I'd like a 5 star with some old world class - but the bathroom needs to be updated. I like the Regent as it fits these needs but its a tad expensive for my budget.

Last year I stayed in the western part of the city- it was fine...but , for this July I booked Melia
again. The hip Prenzlauer Berg is a bit too far for me . It is a nice area, but there are
enough bars and restaurants around Gendarmenmarkt , Hackescher and by the river - just across the bridge from Melia, for my purpose.
I think the Frierdrichst. u- Bahn is closed because of the work Cowboy mentioned.