Map: Prenzlauer Berg Hotels & Restaurants
Map: Scheunenviertel Hotels & Restaurants
Map: City West Hotels & Restaurants
Business Hotels in the Historic Core
In Eastern Berlin’s Friedrichshain
Choosing the right neighborhood in Berlin is as important as choosing the right hotel. I’ve focused my recommendations in safe, colorful areas convenient to sightseeing. Two of my top districts are in northern Berlin: Prenzlauer Berg, my favorite area to sleep, offers a local neighborhood vibe, easy transit connections, and an excellent selection of eateries; Scheunenviertel, also with good restaurants, is closer to the sights but more impersonal than Prenzlauer Berg. Farther out, City West—the heart of the former West Berlin—is an upscale residential neighborhood. I recommend the best accommodations values for each, from €20 bunks to deluxe €300 doubles. Most of my listings cluster around the €100-150 range.
Berlin lacks the characteristic, traditional, family-run hotels that I favor in other German cities. Outside of a few small hotels in Prenzlauer Berg and near Savignyplatz in City West, most of my listings are larger, business-oriented hotels—often part of a chain. I’ve also listed a handful of business-class hotels in the historic core and a few budget chains. Pricing at these big hotels fluctuates with demand; since the hotels themselves are fairly standard, I recommend picking a few places and comparing prices for your travel dates.
A few notes about hotels in Berlin:
• Most hotels offer an optional breakfast buffet for about €10-15 per person, though it’s often not included in their quoted rates (you can choose whether to add breakfast when booking). Light eaters and budget travelers can opt out of the hotel breakfast and get coffee and a pastry at a neighborhood café for about half the cost.
• Air-conditioning is relatively rare (I’ve noted hotels that have it in all rooms). If it’s important to you, ask about it when you book.
• Many hotels offer bike rentals to guests (usually €8-12/day)—again, ask when you reserve.
For some travelers, short-term, Airbnb-type rentals can be a good alternative to hotels; search for places in my recommended hotel neighborhoods.
Book any accommodations well in advance, especially if you’ll be traveling during peak season or if your trip coincides with a major holiday or festival, when Berlin can be packed and prices go up (see here). Rooms can be especially short supply when big trade shows are in town (including Green Week in mid-January and the ITB travel show in mid-March).
For information and tips on pricing, getting deals, making reservations, and finding a short-term rental, see here.
My favorite Berlin neighborhood to call home, Prenzlauer Berg offers easy transit connections to sightseeing; diverse eateries, coffee houses, and nightspots; and a welcoming personality that’s just the right mix of urban yet residential, local yet tourist-friendly. A onetime hipster mecca, this area is now gentrified and more sedate—yet it still retains a bit of its alternative edge (think of all that graffiti as just some people’s way of saying they care). If staying here, orient yourself with my 
Prenzlauer Berg Walk. For eating, shopping, and nightlife options, see my recommendations in those chapters.
Most of my recommended hotels are between Kastanienallee and Prenzlauer Alle. The area’s transit hub is the Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn station (U2 line). Trams also serve this neighborhood: The #M1 and #12 run up and down Kastanienallee, connecting to the Rosenthaler Platz U-Bahn (#M1 continues all the way to the Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station), while the #M10 heads west from Eberswalder Strasse along Bernauer Strasse to the Berlin Wall Memorial, and eventually to the Hauptbahnhof.
$$$ Hotel Oderberger has 70 modern rooms filling part of a Neo-Renaissance bathhouse complex (originally opened in 1902, renovated and reopened in 2016). From the reception, you can peek into the elegant old swimming pool area. It’s a fine choice, with its understated elegance, historic aura, and good location, tucked away on a quiet side street near the most happening stretch of Kastanienallee (elevator, guest discount for swimming pool, Oderberger Strasse 57, tel. 030/780-089-760, www.hotel-oderberger.de, info@hotel-oderberger.berlin).
$$$ Linnen rents five rooms above a cozy and characteristic café, along a busy street between the Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn station and Mauerpark. Linnen stays true to its motto, “more home, less hotel”—the vibe is casual, and the spacious, stylishly decorated rooms feel homey. This place pleases well-heeled hipsters (breakfast extra at downstairs café, Eberswalder Strasse 35, tel. 030/4737-2440, www.linnenberlin.com, booking@linnenberlin.com).
$$$ Myer’s Hotel rents 50 comfortable rooms that are decorated with a heavy hand (lots of bold colors and gold accents). Located on a tranquil, tree-lined street, and overlooking a sleepy courtyard, Myer’s is closer to charming Kollwitzplatz than to the Kastanienallee action. Staying at this peaceful hub, you’ll find it hard to believe you’re in the heart of a capital city. The gorgeous public spaces, including an art-filled patio and garden, host frequent cultural events (air-con, elevator, sauna, Metzer Strasse 26—midway between U2: Senefelderplatz and #M2 tram: Prenzlauer Allee/Metzer Strasse, #M2 goes to/from Alexanderplatz, tel. 030/440-140, www.myershotel.de, info@myershotel.de).
$$$ Hotel Kastanienhof feels less urban-classy and more like a traditional small-town German hotel. It’s wonderfully located on the Kastanienallee #M1 tram line, with easy access to the Prenzlauer Berg bustle (but since trams run all night, ask for a room in the back). Its 44 rooms come with helpful service (breakfast extra, some top-floor rooms with air-con and/or balcony, elevator, wheelchair-accessible room, pay parking, 20 yards from #M1: Zionskirchplatz at Kastanienallee 65, tel. 030/443-050, www.kastanienhof.berlin, info@kastanienhof.berlin). The hotel’s recommended Ausspanne restaurant serves excellent German dishes with a modern twist (see listing on here).
$$$ Hotel Jurine (zhoo-REEN—the family name) is a pleasant 53-room business-style hotel with a friendly staff that aims to please. Though a bit old-school and slightly overpriced, it’s comfy and well-located. In good weather, you can enjoy the (optional) breakfast buffet on the peaceful backyard patio and garden (breakfast extra, RS%, elevator, pay parking—reserve ahead, Schwedter Strasse 15, #M1: Zionskirchplatz, or 10-minute walk to U2: Senefelderplatz, tel. 030/443-2990, www.hotel-jurine.de, mail@hotel-jurine.de).
¢ Hostels: A convenient branch of the hostel/budget hotel Meininger is at Senefelderplatz; for details, see here. EastSeven Hostel rents 60 of the best cheap beds in Prenzlauer Berg. Modern and conscientiously run, it offers all the hostel services, and more: inviting lounge, guest kitchen, backyard terrace, and bike rental. Children are welcome. Easygoing people of any age are comfortable here (private rooms available, no curfew, 100 yards from U2: Senefelderplatz at Schwedter Strasse 7, tel. 030/9362-2240, www.eastseven.de, info@eastseven.de).
Scheunenviertel (“Barn Quarter”), south of Prenzlauer Berg, makes for a fine home base thanks to its good location (close to public transportation and easy walking distance to the center) and traveler-friendly offerings, including cozy restaurants, independent shops, delightful Monbijou Park, and a few interesting sights (especially those relating to the former Jewish quarter that once stood here). It’s closer to the historic core than Prenzlauer Berg, but feels less residential, and the hotels here are bigger and less personable. To get your bearings, take my Scheunenviertel Walk; you can find recommendations for eateries, shopping, and entertainment in those chapters.
Rosenthaler Platz is halfway between Hackescher Markt and the heart of the Prenzlauer Berg scene (on Kastanienallee). Though bustling and congested, it makes a good base for getting around the city because of its U-Bahn stop (U8: Rosenthaler Platz) and tram service (#M1 heads north to Kastanienallee/Eberswalder Strasse and south to the Hackescher Markt S-Bahn hub; #M8 connects to the Hauptbahnhof).
$$ The Circus Hotel is fun, entirely comfortable, and a great value. The achingly hip lobby has a café serving delicious (optional) breakfasts, and the 60 rooms are straightforward and colorful. Run by the same folks who manage the popular Circus Hostel (listed below), it’s service-oriented, with a very “green” attitude and special events for guests. As the hotel overlooks a busy intersection, ask for a quieter back room (breakfast extra, elevator, Rosenthaler Strasse 1, tel. 030/2000-3939, www.circus-berlin.de, info@circus-berlin.de). The Circus also offers spacious, modern $$$ apartments within the hotel and two blocks away at Choriner Strasse 84.
$$ Amano Hotel, while big (163 rooms) and impersonal, is well-priced for what you get: chic contemporary design and all the little amenities you don’t need, but appreciate nonetheless (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, pay parking, Auguststrasse 43, tel. 030/809-4150, www.amanogroup.de, amano@amanogroup.de).
$ EasyHotel Berlin Hackescher Markt is part of an unapologetically cheap, Europe-wide chain where you pay for exactly what you use—nothing more, nothing less. You are charged a low base rate, then pay à la carte for each service you add (Wi-Fi, TV, etc.). The 125 orange-and-gray rooms are very small, basic, and feel popped out of a plastic mold (no breakfast, elevator, call to request a quieter back room after booking online, Rosenthaler Strasse 69, tel. 030/4000-6550, www.easyhotel-berlin.de, enquiries@berlinhm.easyhotel.com).
¢ The Circus Hostel is a brightly colored, well-run place with 250 beds, plenty of social networking, and a trendy lounge and microbrewery. It has typical hostel dorms as well as some hotel-like private rooms; for a few big steps up in comfort, consider the Circus Hotel, listed earlier (no curfew, elevator, Weinbergsweg 1A, U8: Rosenthaler Platz, tel. 030/2000-3939, www.circus-berlin.de, info@circus-berlin.de).
Lively Hackescher Markt, just north of the river and the gateway to Scheunenviertel, is brimming with people, eateries, and on some days, an open-air market. It’s also home to an S-Bahn station and is connected to Prenzlauer Berg by tram #M1.
Of the following listings, the first two (Adina and Hotel Alexander Plaza) are in a characterless glass-and-concrete zone just south of Hackescher Markt. The others face each other across the tracks of a tram depot (ask for a quieter room). All of these hotels are bigger than they are charming.
$$$ Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt has 134 studio apartments with kitchenettes, though a breakfast option is available for an extra fee (air-con, elevator, pay parking, An der Spandauer Brücke 11, tel. 030/209-6980, www.tfehotels.com, berlinhm@adina.eu).
$$$ Hotel Alexander Plaza offers 94 brightly appointed, business-style rooms (breakfast extra, elevator, pay parking, Rosenstrasse 1, tel. 030/240-010, www.hotel-alexander-plaza.de, frontoffice@hotel-alexander-plaza.de).
$$$ Monbijou Hotel’s 101 rooms are small, but they make up for it with pleasing public spaces, a postcard-worthy rooftop terrace (with views of the cathedral and TV Tower), and a flair for design—from reclaimed wood and antique furnishings to plenty of natural light (family rooms, no breakfast, elevator, pay parking, Monbijouplatz 1, tel. 030/6162-0300, www.monbijouhotel.com, info@monbijouhotel.com).
$$ Hotel Hackescher Markt, with 32 rooms, offers an inviting lounge and modern decor without being predictable or pretentious (breakfast extra, family rooms, air-con, elevator, Grosse Präsidentenstrasse 8, tel. 030/280 030, www.hotel-hackescher-markt.com, reservierung@hotel-hackescher-markt.com).
$$ Hotel Zoe by Amano is a trendy and slightly more upscale branch of the Amano Hotel group, listed earlier (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, Grosse Präsidentenstrasse 6, tel. 030/2130-0150, www.amanogroup.de, zoe@amanogroup.de).
These good-value hotels are on or close to fun, art gallery-lined Auguststrasse, in an area that feels more characteristic than my other Scheunenviertel listings. They’re located between the Oranienburger Strasse S-Bahn and Oranienburger Tor U-Bahn (U6), and tram #M1 is nearby.
$$ Hotel Augustinenhof has 66 spacious rooms, nice woody floors, and comfortable beds. Rooms in front overlook the courtyard of the old Imperial Post Office, rooms in back are a bit quieter, and some rooms have older, thin windows (breakfast extra, elevator, Auguststrasse 82, tel. 030/3088-6710, www.hotel-augustinenhof.de, augustinenhof@albrechtshof-hotels.de).
$$ Calma Berlin Mitte, part of a small local chain, is a good budget bet. Its 46 straightforward but comfortable, modern rooms are tucked away on a tranquil courtyard, just steps from the lively Oranienburger Strasse scene (breakfast extra, elevator, Linienstrasse 139, tel. 030/9153-9333, www.lindemannhotels.de, calma@lindemannhotels.de).
Straddling the Spree River, this area—between the transit stations Oranienburger Tor (U6) and Friedrichstrasse (U6 and several S-Bahn lines)—feels big and sterile, with little personality. But hotels here have plenty of beds and are easy walking distance to both Unter den Linden and Scheunenviertel. The first two hotels (NH Collection and Eurostars) are south of the river and closer to Friedrichstrasse Station; both are plush, high-end, and belong to international Spanish chains. The last two listings (Leonardo and Albrechtshof) are north of the river and a bit simpler, but still comfortable.
$$$ NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse feels upscale and professional. Its 268 rooms come with sleek hardwood floors, high ceilings, and red accents (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, gym, sauna, Friedrichstrasse 96, tel. 030/206-2660, www.nh-collection.com, nhcollectionberlinfriedrich@nh-hotels.com).
$$$ Hotel Eurostars Berlin is a classy hotel with 221 spacious, rich wood rooms towering over the everyday hustle and bustle. As it faces train tracks, ask for a quieter room—several face into the lobby atrium (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, spa, Friedrichstrasse 99, tel. 030/701-7360, www.eurostarsberlin.com, info@eurostarsberlin.com).
$$$ Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte occupies a modern building set back on a little park overlooking the river. It features retro public spaces and a mazelike floor plan leading to 309 tight, tidy, stylish rooms (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, spa, gym, limited pay parking, Bertolt-Brecht-Platz 4, tel. 030/374-405-000, www.leonardo-hotels.com, info.berlinmitte@leonardo-hotels.com).
$$ Hotel Albrechtshof is a bit scruffier than its sister hotel, the Augustinenhof (described earlier), but still a good choice. It has the most personality of the hotels in this area. The 98 rooms come with a similar design, friendly staff, peaceful courtyard, and weekly chapel services. Martin Luther King Jr. once stayed here and attended one (breakfast extra, elevator, Albrechtstrasse 8, tel. 030/308-860, www.hotel-albrechtshof.de, albrechtshof@albrechtshof-hotel.de).
City West—the heart of the former West Berlin—is a pleasant, upscale, low-impact residential neighborhood. While most travelers prefer to sleep closer to the center, City West can be an ideal home base if you don’t mind a longer commute to sightseeing. The area retains an artsy aura, going back to the cabaret days of the 1920s, when it was the center of Berlin’s gay scene. Today, City West feels sedate and posh (if quite touristy along Ku’damm)—lacking the edginess of Prenzlauer Berg or the gritty urban feel of Scheunenviertel. Travelers sleeping in City West have several transit options: Bus #100 is slow but scenic (see my “Do It Yourself Bus #100 Tour” on here), while the S-Bahn zips much faster from Savignyplatz or Zoologischer Garten to the center.
$$$$ 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin is your trendy hotel option overlooking Europaplatz in the busiest and buzziest part of City West. Filling a high rise adjacent to the Berlin Zoo and the Bikini Berlin shopping mall, it has 149 plywood-and-concrete rooms and public spaces with an industrial-zoo ambience. This is where trendsetters sleep in City West (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, Budapester Strasse 40, tel. 030/120-2210, www.25hours-hotels.com, bikini@25hours-hotels.com).
These listings huddle around the delightful, tree-lined Savignyplatz, which has a neighborhood charm and an abundance of simple, small, friendly, good-value places to sleep and eat. To get here, ride the S-Bahn directly to Savignyplatz—or get off at Zoologischer Garten (with more connections) and walk about 10 minutes.
$$ Hecker’s Hotel is an excellent value, with 69 big, fresh, well-maintained rooms and all the Euro-comforts. Herr Kiesel’s “superior” rooms have air-conditioning and more-modern furnishings—and cost a bit more—than his “comfort” rooms (a few rooms with kitchenettes, free breakfast for Rick Steves readers, elevator, pay parking, between Savignyplatz and Ku’damm at Grolmanstrasse 35, tel. 030/88900, www.heckers-hotel.com, info@heckers-hotel.com).
$$ Hommage à Magritte is a spiffy, tidy B&B in a classic old apartment building on a quiet street between Ku’damm and Savignyplatz. Its 18 rooms come with an artistic touch, inspired by its namesake, the Belgian Surrealist painter René Magritte (Grolmanstrasse 32, tel. 030/8956-7087, www.hommage-a-magritte.com, info@hommage-a-magritte.com).
$$ Hotel-Pension Funk, the former home of a 1920s silent-movie star, is a delightfully quirky, only-in-Berlin time warp. Kind manager Herr Michael Pfundt and his right-hand man, Ding, offer 15 elegant old rooms with rich Art Nouveau furnishings and hardly any modern trappings. Most guests adore it; some are put off by its old-fashioned feel. Figure out which you’ll be before you book (cheaper rooms with shared bath, cash preferred, no TVs, a long block south of Ku’damm at Fasanenstrasse 69, tel. 030/882-7193, www.hotel-pensionfunk.de, berlin@hotel-pensionfunk.de).
$ Pension Peters, run by a German-Swedish couple, is sunny and central, with a cheery breakfast room and a super-friendly staff who go out of their way to help guests. With sleek Scandinavian decor and 33 rooms, it’s a good choice. Some ground-floor rooms facing the back courtyard are a bit dark—and cheaper. If street noise bothers you, request a quiet room. Annika and Christoph (with help from his sister, Daisy, as well as Uwe and others) have been welcoming my readers for decades (breakfast extra, RS%, family rooms, cash preferred, 10 yards off Savignyplatz at Kantstrasse 146, tel. 030/312-2278, www.pension-peters-berlin.de, info@pension-peters-berlin.de).
Berlin’s historic core is handy to sightseeing, but—frankly—pretty dull. Locals who don’t work in this area rarely venture here, making it sleepy at night. But these large, business-oriented hotels are worth considering if you’re looking to sleep in the very center of town and can score a deal. Breakfasts here are expensive add-ons. For locations see the map on here.
$$$$ Hotel de Rome, holding court on Frederick the Great’s showpiece Bebelplatz and facing Unter den Linden, is the Berlin splurge, with 108 rooms and all the luxurious little extras. If money is no object, this is a tempting choice for your Berlin address (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, Behrenstrasse 37, tel. 030/460-6090, www.roccofortehotels.com, info.derome@roccofortehotels.com).
$$ Hotel Gendarm Nouveau, just steps off Gendarmenmarkt, has a modern, impersonal lobby and 47 Goldilocks rooms with just enough color and comfort. While the area lacks energy after dark, it’s lively at lunchtime, classy, and central (breakfast extra, air-con on upper floors, elevator, Charlottenstrasse 61, U2: Stadtmitte, tel. 030/206-0660, www.hotel-gendarm-berlin.de, info@hotel-gendarm-berlin.de).
$$ NH Berlin Mitte Leipziger Strasse is a midrange chain hotel on a busy street a short walk from Gendarmenmarkt, with nearly 400 fresh, interchangeable rooms at affordable rates (breakfast extra, air-con, elevator, Leipziger Strasse 106, U2: Stadtmitte, tel. 030/203-760, www.nh-hotels.com, nhberlinmitte@nh-hotels.com).
$$ Michelberger Hotel, right across from the Warschauer Strasse S-Bahn station (the gateway to gritty, quickly gentrifying Friedrichshain), is so artsy and self-consciously hip that it’d all be just too much...if it weren’t for its helpful staff. Its 111 bright rooms are reasonably priced, and its common spaces—a bar/lounge and a breezy courtyard restaurant—are welcoming (breakfast extra, family rooms, elevator, sauna in courtyard; from atop Warschauer Strasse S-Bahn station, turn left to cross the bridge—it’s across from the U-Bahn station and #M10 tram stop at Warschauer Strasse 39; tel. 030/2977-8590, www.michelbergerhotel.com, reservations@michelbergerhotel.com).
$ Motel One has multiple locations across Berlin; all have the same aqua-and-brown decor and posh-feeling but small rooms. The four most convenient locations are between Hackescher Markt and Alexanderplatz (Dircksenstrasse 36—see map on here, tel. 030/2005-4080, berlin-hackeschermarkt@motel-one.com); near the Zoologischer Garten station (Kantstrasse 10—see map on here, tel. 030/3151-7360, berlin-kudamm@motel-one.com); just behind the Hauptbahnhof (Invalidenstrasse 54, tel. 030/3641-0050, berlin-hauptbahnhof@motel-one.com); and a few blocks east of Gendarmenmarkt (Leipziger Strasse 50, U2: Spittelmarkt, tel. 030/2014-3630, berlin-spittelmarkt@motel-one.com). For the last two locations, see the map on here. All four branches tend to charge the same prices; less central locations are a bit cheaper (air-con, elevator, limited pay parking, www.motel-one.com).
Meininger is a Europe-wide budget-hotel chain with several locations in Berlin. With both ¢ cheap dorm beds and $$ comfortable, hotelesque private rooms, Meininger is basic but lively, modern, and generally a solid budget option, even for nonhostelers. They have three well-located branches: in Prenzlauer Berg (“Alexanderplatz” branch, actually at Schönhauser Allee 19 on Senefelderplatz—see map on here); in Scheunenviertel (Mitte “Humboldthaus” branch, next to the recommended Aufsturz pub at Oranienburger Strasse 67—see map on here); and near the Hauptbahnhof at Ella-Trebe-Strasse 9—see map on here (all locations have elevator and 24-hour reception, pay parking at some, tel. 030/666-36100, www.meininger-hostels.com, welcome@meininger-hostels.com).
Consider this option if you’re traveling as a family, in a group, or staying four nights or longer. Websites such as Airbnb and VRBO let you correspond directly with European property owners or managers. For more information on renting apartments, see here in the Practicalities chapter.