I have gone through dozens of Berlin threads here via search, as well as over on tripadvisor. I am looking for a studio or 1BR apt for 2 people for a week in the Fall. My budget is between €350-430 for one week (the cheaper, the better). It looks like there are still plenty of apts available for my dates and budget. As a result, the # of choices is just overwhelming.

I have looked at numerous websites, including
http://www.123berlinzimmer.de
http://www.zimmervermittlung24.com/e_index.html
http://www.berlin-sofort.de
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/
http://www.privat-apartment-berlin.de/
waytostay.com
aptment listings on booking.com

My head is spinning already after looking through pages of apartments. We don't need any place that's fancy or luxurious, just a quiet place to sleep, a kitchen to cook simple meals, and a safe neighborhood. Internet access in the apt is important.

If you have stayed at an apt in Berlin that you liked, could you post a link here for me?

If not, can you comment on these "neighborhoods"? I have been to Berlin once before, so I'm a bit partial to staying on the Mitte side. The locations of most of these apartments are:
Prenzlauer Berg or Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg. Are these general areas okay?
How about Wedding or Schöneberg or Tiergarten?

Which neighborhood(s) would you pick?

Thanks in advance.

We have stayed in the Mandala Suites in Berlin several times and absolutely loved it. They are really nice apartments, located on Friedrichstrasse, close to absolutely everything and a walk away from the main attractions such as Checkpoint Charlie. Here is the website for you to look at:
http://www.themandala.de/suites_en.htm

Note that I mean the Mandala Suites as opposed to the Mandala Hotel. The reason why we stay there is because it is close to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas markets which are my favourite place in Germany!

Hope this helps!

Oooops have just seen your preferred budget! Sorry - you would be paying around 180 euro per night at the Mandala Suites I think.

Hope you find something.

We used this one - http://www.zimmervermittlung24.com/e_index.html

We were sort of near the Tiergarten, but just a couple of stops from the Bahnhof with the bus. Decent neighborhood. I found the website to be really good as far as service and how it was set up. We did not have to do a deposit or anything. Had a nice 1 room apt. with twin beds, fully equipped kitchen, nice bath and our own entrance for 48 euro per night.

Sorry I am not that familiar with the different neighbourhoods to give you better advice. This is when I would ask those destination experts at Trip Advisor that actually live in Berlin.

I like the Mitte area too, but Prenzlauer Berg seems to have a cool, hip reputation. (I haven't made it there yet.)

Another thing to consider is that some hostels, like the Circus and A&O, also rent out apartments, and these might be cheaper type options.

I stayed in one of the http://www.privat-apartment-berlin.de/ apartments and it was great. The only bad thing was sometimes people upstairs making noise... sometimes I wondered what the heck was going on up there. Otherwise I really loved it.

You can walk to Mitte if you are a walker, or be there in 10 minutes on the train. It's a really great street in an cool 'hood.

I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

Hi rialtogrl, thanks for your reply. I think sandy_b stayed there also, after she read YOUR positive review! So, based on all these positive Fodorites' reviews, I have actually booked an apt with http://www.privat-apartment-berlin.de/ already! The owner seems very nice on email and is very prompt with replies. I'm looking forward to our stay there.

Sweet! Which one are you staying in? I am kind of jealous.

We're staying in apt 1, the cheaper one. I think it's the same one that sandy_b stayed at. From her description, it sounded adequate enough for us.

I think you will really like it.. the only thing is I am not sure if there is wifi there. Did you check with Holger? There was a place just down the street that had internet for 1 euro per hour.

Yes, he said there is wi-fi in the apartment (that was the first question I asked ). It doesn't have a microwave (I think apt 2 does), nor a washing machine. But I think we can live without those 2, but not without internet access!