Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
fast in the attached restaurant. Kitschy, sure—but also clean and memorable (€15/bed in a
4-or6-bed“Pioneer Camp” roomorin12-bunkdorm—includes lockers,S-€33,Sb-€40,D-
€54, Db-€61, 4-person apartments-€120, includes sheets and towels, 24-hour reception, free
Wi-Fi in lobby, bike rental, free parking, free collective use of the people's barbeque, right
behind Ostbahnhof station on the corner of Strasse der Pariser Kommune at Wriezener Kar-
ree 5, tel. 030/2576-8660,
www.ostel.eu
,
contact@ostel.eu
)
.
While Bahnhof ZooandKu'damm are nolonger the center ofthe action, this western Berlin
neighborhood is still a comfortable and handy home base (thanks to its easy transit con-
nections to the rest of the city). The streets around the tree-lined Savignyplatz (a 10-minute
walk behind the station) have a neighborhood charm, with an abundance of simple, small,
friendly, good-value places to sleep and eat. The area has an artsy aura going back to the
cabaret days in the 1920s, when it was the center of Berlin's gay scene. The hotels and pen-
sions I list here—which are all a 5- to 15-minute walk from Bahnhof Zoo and Savignyplatz
(withS-andU-Bahnstations)—are generally located acoupleofflightsupinbig,run-down
buildings. Inside, they're clean and spacious enough so that their well-worn character is ac-
tually charming. Asking for a quieter room in back gets you away from any street noise. Of
the accommodations listed here, Pension Peters offers the best value for budget travelers.
$$ Hecker's Hotel
is a modern, four-star business hotel with 69 big, fresh rooms and
all the Euro-comforts. Their “superior” rooms cost €10 more than their “comfort” rooms,
and—whilethesamesize—havemoremodernfurnishingsandair-conditioning.HerrKiesal
promises free breakfasts (otherwise €16/person) for those reserving direct with this topic
(Sb-€85, Db-usually €95-100—though all rooms €180 during conferences, generally €100
July-Aug,lookfordealsontheirwebsite,non-smokingrooms,elevator,freeWi-Fi,parking-
€12-18/day, between Savignyplatz and Ku'damm at Grolmanstrasse 35, tel. 030/88900, fax
030/889-0260,
www.heckers-hotel.com
,
info@heckers-hotel.com
)
.
$$ Hotel Askanischerhof,
the oldest B&B in Berlin, is posh as can be, with 16 sprawl-
ing, antique-furnished living rooms you can call home. Photos on the walls brag of famous
movie-star guests. It oozes Old World service and classic Berlin atmosphere (Sb-€110, Db-
€120, Tb-€130, elevator, free Wi-Fi, free parking, Ku'damm 53, tel. 030/881-8033, fax 030/
881-7206,
www.askanischer-hof.de
,
info@askanischer-hof.de
).
$$ Hotel Astoria
is a friendly three-star business-class hotel with 32 comfortably fur-
nished rooms and affordable summer and weekend rates (Db-€108-126, often Db-€80 in
summer, check their website for deals, non-smoking floors, elevator, free Wi-Fi and Internet
access, bike rental, parking-€9/day, around corner from Bahnhof Zoo at Fasanenstrasse 2,
tel. 030/312-4067,
www.hotelastoria.de
,
info@hotelastoria.de
)
.
