Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
women-only hotel in Wilmersdorf, with modern rooms
(most en suite), a range of artworks and a sociable roof
garden and. Fills qu
ickly
in high season, so book well in
advance. Free wi-fi.
€59
Ibis
Brandenburgische Str. 11
T
030 86 20 20,
W
ibishotel.com; U-Fehrbelliner Platz; map p.154.
This
Wilmersdorf hotel is one of ten Berlin branches
of t
he
international chain. Rooms are small but inexpensive.
€55
Ì
Propeller Island City Lodge
Albrecht-Achilles-
Str. 58
T
030 891 90 16,
W
propeller-island.de;
U-Adenauerplatz; map p.154.
Entertainingly wacky
Wilmersdorf hotel where the furnishings in every room
have been handcrafted by the owner according to
individual themes: check the website to choose from
among the likes of the Space C
ube,
the Mirror Room,
Electric Wallpaper or Upside Down.
€79
Schlosshotel Im Grunewald
Brahmsstr. 10
T
030 89
58 40,
W
schlosshotelberlin.com; S-Hohenzollerndamm;
map p.161.
Escape the grittiness of Berlin in grand country
house style in a peaceful and upmarket residential area
where driveways are filled with Porsches. Much of the hotel's
classical decor was given a modern design twist by Karl
Lagerfeld and is matched by its seamless service. Meanwhile
the large swathe of pleasant Grunewald woodland on the
doorstep is perfect for a walk or run before e
njoyin
g the
lovely spa, sauna, steam room and pool facilities.
€239
HOSTELS
Hostel accommodation in Berlin is very good. The recent breed of new,
independent hostels
, with their stock of private
rooms, have swept aside many pensions and set new standards for existing HI hostels. All hostels welcome travellers of any
age, though most mainly cater to 20-somethings and larger ones are periodically overwhelmed by school groups.
Reception desks are almost always bountiful sources of information and frequently double as late-night bars; common
rooms and the universal absence of curfews also add to the party atmosphere. Traditional facilities, such as a laundry and
kitchens, have become unusual, but the nearest launderette or snack bar is never far away - and you'll almost certainly
have free wi-fi and internet.
Rates
depend on the number of people sharing: a twenty-bed dorm may cost around €10 per
person, while five sharing a room might each pay double that; we quote the cheapest dorm rates available for each hostel,
plus the cheapest rates for singles and doubles where available. Bedding is provided in most places - though sometimes
there's a one-off fee of around €3 for this - or you may be able use a sleeping bag. Most hostels offer a simple buffet
breakfast for around €5; at some places it is included in the rate.
12
plain but bright, with large windows and high ceilings, and
they don't have bunk beds. The hostel also has its own,
decent bar,
Goldmans
, do
wnsta
irs. Bicy
cles f
or rent an
d free
walking tours, too. Dorms
€23
; singles
€50
; doubles
€100
Mittes Backpacker
Chausseestr. 102
T
030 28 39 09 65,
W
baxpax.de; U-Naturkundemuseum; map pp.72-73.
Imaginatively decorated converted factory within walking
distance of the Scheunenviertel bar scene.
Fac
ilities incl
ude
bike rental and a communal kitchen. Dorms
€18
; doubles
€70
St Christopher's Hostel
Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 39-41
T
030 81 45 39 60,
W
st-christophers.co.uk; U-Rosa-
Luxemburg-Platz; map pp.72-73.
Well-run branch of a
British hostel chain, with 24hr opening and the perfect
layout for partying all night in its big bar, with chill-out
areas and billiards. There's also pub grub, free wi-fi and
occasional live events, but the staff and guests are a motley
international crew, so there's little to remind that you're in
Germany.
Rates
include
a b
asic breakfast.
Dorm
s (some
single-sex)
€24
; singles
€50
; doubles & twins
€78
ALEXANDERPLATZ
Ì
Citystay Hostel
Rosenstr. 16
T
030 23 62 40 31,
W
citystay.de; S-Hackescher Markt; map p.60.
Berlin's
best-located hostel for sightseeing - within walking
distance of the S-Bahn, Hackescher Markt and Museum
Island - is a large well-run place spreading over several
immaculate floors. It has a good selection of private rooms,
some en suite, and pleasant communal areas including a
leafy courtyard. Facilities include an all-night bar, summer-
only restaurant (great
Flammkuchen
), and free wi-fi. It's
also a hub for walking and
cyclin
g tour
s an
d bar crawls.
Breakfast buffet extra. Dorms
€19
; twins
€55
SPANDAUER VORSTADT
Baxpax Downtown
Ziegelstr. 28
T
030 27 87 48 80,
W
baxpax.de; S-Oranienburger Strasse; map pp.72-73.
Great hostel with busy communal areas in a handy yet
relatively quiet location, with all the usual facilities -
internet, bar, breakfast buffet, games room, bike rental -
and a relaxed vibe. Avoid the 24-bed dorm (€17) if you are
a light sleepe
r in
favour of
tho
se with e
ight
beds (€21) or
fewer. Dorms
€17
; singles
€29
; doubles
€98
Ì
Circus Hostel
Weinbergsweg 1a
T
030 20 00 39
39,
W
circus-berlin.de; U-Rosenthaler Platz; map
72-73.
Top-notch hostel in fantastic location, with
particularly helpful staff and good facilities. Rooms are
CITY WEST
Ì
Jetpak Flashpacker
Pariserstr. 58
T
030 784 43 60,
W
jetpak.de; U-Spichernstrasse; map p.108.
Western
Berlin's best hostel is scrupulously clean and in a quiet
residential neighbourhood a short walk from the Ku'damm
shops and close to the U-Bahn. Amenities include free
FROM TOP
CIRCUS HOTEL
P.178
; HOTEL ADLON
P.177
>
