Hi Sam - I've lived here for nearly 3 years, and I have to say that unless you go crazy over Christmas markets, please do yourself a favor and don't come in winter! The best months are May - September, but after that it starts getting nippy and then goes to downright freezing in what always seems like a matter of days.  If you avoid high summer and go in September (that's when I first came), it is still comfortably warm and you don't have to deal with high airline fares...

As for hotels, I agree that the Mitte area is probably best for your purposes if you have never been here. It is central (hence the name Mitte - "middle") and the transportation options are great. Another note: rent a bike if you go when the weather is nice. Everyone does it and it's a great way to see the city (you see a lot more than if you were just riding underground on the subway).

Decent hotels that are also cheap:

Circus Hotel - Rosenthaler Platz (pretty basic but good location and pleasant staff)
Hotel Amano - Rosenthaler Strasse (more trendy and elegant, but also a bit more pricey)
Hotel Augustiner Hof - Auguststrasse (big rooms, will upgrade you if something is available, good area)
IMA Design Lofts - Ritterstrasse (in Kreuzberg not Mitte, but is a cool concept--it is in the same building as a whole lot of artist studios and creative offices, so you get to meet internationals and locals doing cool things)

Posted Apr 16, 2011

It looks like you are getting some good replies as to where to stay in central Berlin and when to go.... 

Don’t forget, you will need to eat too!  As you might suspect, coffee, beer, and snacks can be touristy-expensive in Central Berlin.  If you want to eat/drink on the cheap, simply take one of the S-Bahn trains (S5, S7, S9, S75) to the first stop east of Alexander Platz.  The name of this stop is Jannowitzbrücke. 

Directly outside the station's main door is a Lidl Market where you can buy beer, wine, cheese, and many other snacks at cheap local prices.  Just buy a bag full of goodies, then head back to Alexander Platz, your hotel, or find a place along the Spree River for a little picnic.  You will be amazed at how much food and drink you can buy for only a few Euros.

Like many small German markets (such as Aldi, Lidl, Edeka), Lidl only takes cash or the EC card (European Debit Card), so don't expect to pay by credit card.

Anyway, the Jannowitzbrücke stop is the first place where you can find non-tourist prices for take-away food and drinks.  It's well worth the 2 minute S-Bahn ride.

You can find this spot with Google Maps...  Just do a search for Jannowitzbrücke,berlin, germany.

Have fun!  Tschüß!!! 

Posted May 01, 2011

There are so many lodging options in Mitte (city center). I stayed at Hotel Amano and had a good experience.  There is a great Asian restaurant around the corner (Chi Sing).

Posted Apr 14, 2011

I stayed in this hotel. small but clean rooms, reasonable price, close to alexanderplatz.

Best Western Hotel City Ost

Posted Apr 14, 2011

I would agree that anywhere near Alexanderplatz is quite central and fun for the social traveler. I absolutely loved Berlin ! 

Posted Apr 15, 2011

Berlin always has something special going on, so it depends what you enjoy. Christmas markets? Concerts and theater? Opera? Gardens? Whatever you do, don't miss the Zoo and Aquarium. Even if you never go to zoos, this one is really special.

Posted Apr 15, 2011

circus hotel or hostel close to u bahn cool area and very affordable and CLEAN

Posted Apr 16, 2011

Check out www.tripadvisor.com I use it all the time before staying anywhere. Im heading to Berlin in October, haven't been there since 1993 so expecting a few changes,lol. I traveling, I tend to go at shoulder or winter times now, because with the popular destinations, the hordes of tourists spoil it, the beautiful attractions are covered like ants. Enjoy your stay.

Posted Apr 16, 2011

Berlin is one of my absolute favorite cities.  I would avoid June, July, August and stick with late April/May and September/October for ideal weather and not the worst crowds.

There are so many wonderful places to stay (for every budget) for for me, always, location is king.  I love the Gendarmenmarkt area for its beauty, central location and access to shops, restaurants, etc.

Definitely make sure to pick up a Museum Card and a Metro Card.  Both can be ordered from this site:  http://www.visitberlin.de/en.  The museum card is especially handy, as it allows you to skip the lines!

For lodging, it all depends on what you want to pay.  I've seen great deals at the Sofitel in Gendarmenmarkt, but there are, of course, even more reasonable options.  I like Trip Advisor, but I read all those reviews with a grain of salt.  My ideas of a great hotel can differ from people on Trip Advisor who may be looking for different features in a hotel.

If it's your first time, and you want to go a more economical way, two sources I highly recommend are Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) and Let's Go (www.letsgo.com).  Both offer a lot of tips for how to get the most bang for your buck in Berlin.

Posted Apr 19, 2011

May was great weatherwise.  I stayed at the arthotel in Mitte and it was not expensive yet it felt like it.  amazing location and fun, hip crowd. 

Posted Apr 21, 2011

you said you're looking for nice and cheap hotel recommendations

i stayed at the generator a few years back...it's a hostel, SUPER nice, hotel'ish, and right next to the u-bahn

they also offer a free guided tour of the city

Posted May 01, 2011

Hello, definitely go during the spring and summer months. Berlin, like most cities, come alive and the streets are full of bars and parks where on can relax and enjoy ambience.

Friends of mine rent out apartments. Have a look @ www.lieblingapartments.com

Wish you fun!

Posted Jul 03, 2011

Name: PLUS Berlin
Address: Warschauerplatz 6-8, Berlin, 10245, Germany
Website: http://www.hb-247.com/aff/eurotrip/germany/berlin/54537

This came up as a Hostel but I booked a private room for two for around $50/night. This is sort of a hostel with dorms on one side and a hotel with really nice rooms on the other side.
Central location right next to the U Bahn, and short walk to the S Bahn. Close to the river; turn right, your in the old east german sector, turn left, cross the river into Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg neighborhood.
Great area!

Posted Sep 11, 2012

Try AirBnB: we had a beautifully renovated flat in Prenzlauerberg that housed five people for half the cost of a hotel! There are great restaurants and shops all within blocks, easy transportation into the middle of the city, and a park nearby that was lovely.

Posted Mar 01, 2013

One of the best months to go to Berlin is April- May, The May day celebrations are fun, and the sights are not overcrowded. Great time to walk and explore Berlin on foot and by train. The hotels around Alexanderplatz, as mentioned by others, are reasonable and provide easy access to the city. You can always splurge for a coffee at the Hotel Adlon without being a "guest".

Posted Mar 06, 2013