Berlin is a real metropolis where buildings with features of the Middle Ages and modern architectural structures are harmoniously combined. In addition to famous landmarks (Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, Berlin TV Tower, etc.), there are many secluded and little-known places to visit in Berlin. When planning a trip to the capital of Germany, it is better to book a hotel in Berlin in advance.
Information about real estate in Berlin
City-park, city-museum, city-cosmopolitan - Berlin beckons tourists; here there is an opportunity to get a good education, find a job. The cost of houses and apartments is increasing every year, but prices here are more affordable than in most European capitals.
Berlin is considered one of the ideal properties for real estate investment, so it is advisable to buy an apartment here. For example, the average cost per square meter in London is 12,000 euros, in Paris it is 7,500 euros, and in Berlin it is only 2,500 euros. In Berlin, 80% of residents rent apartments, rather than owning them.
The process of finding an apartment in Berlin is not an easy task and is a small quest. But good housing can always be found here.
The first price indicated in the ad is Kaltmiete (“cold price”), that is, excluding utility bills. Nebenkosten is always added to such rent - the bill for water, heating, elevator maintenance and garbage collection.
Sometimes there are cases when an apartment with a higher "cold" price will cost a tourist cheaper due to the low cost of utility bills.
The average rental rate is around 6.6 euros per square meter. Renting an apartment in new buildings or in the city center will cost the most.
As an alternative for a stopover for a tourist in Berlin, a hotel or hostel is suitable.
The world's best aggregators for hotel selection
Booking agencies for hotels, apartments, hostels provide the ability to make reservations from a PC, laptop or smartphone. The table shows the top 5 booking aggregators.
| Name and official site | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | An online hotel booking company from the Netherlands since 1996. The company has opened 204 offices in 70 countries around the world. Here you can find offers for different types of accommodation - guest house, apartments, family pension, hostels. On the website, you can immediately redeem plane tickets, rent a car or order a taxi. Offers on the site are presented in 228 destinations around the world. | Payment upon arrival. Cancellation of the reservation one day before arrival. Description of hotels + photos. Availability of reviews. Filter by price, reviews, star rating, food and facilities. Promotions and discounts. Favorable conditions for travel agencies. Simple booking procedure in 3 steps - pre-registration, following the link (sent by e-mail) and order confirmation. |
| Agoda | The system was founded in 1990 and registered in Phuket under the name PlanetHoliday.com. In 2005, the organization became part of the PrecisionReservations.com group. The website supports 38 languages, but consultation is only available in 17. Only registered users can post comments. | One of the largest hotel agencies in the Asia-Pacific region (370 thousand hotels). Here are the best prices in Southeast Asia. Full payment of accommodation using payment cards of world systems and PayPal. No cancellation fee will be charged. It is possible to get a difference in cost if you find a cheaper offer on a competitor's website. |
| Hotellook | Tourists from all over the world use the services of this service, as there are always offers with maximum discounts (from 30 to 70%). The service analyzes more than 700 thousand offers from hotels, hostels, guest houses and 1,650 million apartments in more than 200 countries. | Site services are free for the user. Intuitive interface. Availability of reviews, photos and descriptions. The creators of the service are the authors of the search engine for plane tickets - Aviasales. The presence of a convenient tool on the site - a subscription to price changes in a specific direction (the client receives email notifications with promotions and discounts). |
| RoomGuru | This is the Russian-language version of the Australian HotelsCombined system, founded in 2005. The service became popular thanks to a large database of hotels, convenient search and the “Best Price” service. The opportunity to compare prices here is also provided to unregistered users. | The presence of an extended filtration system. Hotel browsing history is automatically saved. You can use an interactive map. It is possible to choose an accommodation option without specifying the date of arrival and departure. Availability of a free application for Windows, iOS, Android systems. |
| Hotels.ru | A company from St. Petersburg that has developed a search platform for iOs and Android. Search on the platform is carried out among 950 thousand partners in 226 countries of the world online. | Exclusive service - the database of own hotels is regularly updated. Special offers. Instant response from the manager. Payment method - Visa or Mastercard, bank transfer, in cash at the office or using QIWI or WebMoney payment systems. |
Other popular aggregators include Tripadvisor and Trivago. Tripadvisor is a better-known site with a user-friendly interface and honest reviews from visitors. This means that the hotel's rating will not be overstated. If you want to book a room on this site, you need to switch to the English version.
Trivago pleases customers with the opportunity to book accommodation at a price 2 times lower than that of competitors. The site has a Russian-language version.
Self-service hotel booking
Self-service online hotel booking is a very important and responsible procedure. You need to decide in advance on the type of room and other options in order to filter. You also need to make a choice in favor of a specific search engine for booking.
Below is the instruction, following which you will successfully make a reservation of a hotel room or apartment.
- You need to fill out the hotel search form (indicate the city, the number of guests, as well as the date of arrival and departure).
- Add various filters to your search - maximum price, stars, location, etc.
- At your request, the system will give you a list of proposals that you need to study. The hotels that you liked the most should be checked on the reviews on the Internet. One of the best helpers in this business is Tripadvisor. Be sure to check the information about the cancellation of the reservation - whether it is available and on what conditions.
- Choose a room and start booking. Enter personal information in English (name, email and phone number), as well as bank card details - number and CVV code (sometimes required, sometimes not).
- After confirmation on the site, you should receive an email message. Make sure the booking confirmation has arrived. In the personal account of the booking system, you get access to the hotel voucher. Read and check the details in the voucher.
Best hotels in Berlin - where to stay
The capital of Germany is ready to satisfy the living needs of the most sophisticated travelers - there are hundreds of hotels from various chains for every taste and budget.
In Berlin, in different areas there are hotels of the Azimut Hotels (Russian Federation), Holiday Inn (UK), Marriott International (USA), Scandic Hotels (Sweden), Regent Hotels & Resorts (China), Ibis, Hilton Hotels & Resorts (USA) chains , SANA, Tiergarten, Melia Hotels International (Spain) and Sofitel Hotels & Resorts (France).
| The name of the hotel | Cost per day | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson Blu, 5 stars | from 178 euros | The Grand Hotel is located close to all major attractions.The hotel lobby features an Aquadome with tropical fish and colorful corals 25 meters high. Rooms offer views of either the Cathedral or Aquadome. Each guest has the opportunity to relax in the SPA center with a swimming pool. Takeaway breakfast can be prepared at the hotel. |
| Novotel Berlin Mitte, 4 stars | from 126 euros | The hotel is close to Nicholas Square. Near the hotel are the Museum Island, Alexanderplatz and the Brandenburg Gate. All rooms are decorated in a discreet style, but have all the amenities, including soundproof windows. For tourists with children, the hotel has prepared a pleasant bonus - free access to the games room. The last renovation of the hotel took place in 2014. |
| Adlon, 5 stars | from EUR 306 (room with breakfast - from EUR 340) | The hotel is truly the epitome of luxury and is located in the Mitte district. The restaurant in this hotel has received 2 Michelin stars. Rooms at the hotel are decorated with antique furniture, original fittings and a marble bathroom. Each room has a modern multimedia system. Guests can relax in the SPA center with Ayurvedic treatments. |
| Bristol, 5 stars | from 149 euros | The hotel is located directly on the famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard. Overlooking the boulevard, Reinhard's Restaurant serves seasonal cuisine with Italian and French accents. The hotel's pool includes a steam room, sauna, infrared cabin and a small fitness center. |
| Mercure Berlin City, 4 stars | from 99 euros | The hotel is 100 meters from the famous Friedrichstraße shopping street. Rooms are decorated in light colors and are hypoallergenic. The restaurant serves international and German cuisine. Private parking is available upon request. |
| Mandala, 5 stars | from 190 euros | The hotel offers tourists studios and suites with kitchen facilities. Located opposite the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz. There is a FACIL restaurant, which received 2 Michelin stars in 2016. There are rooms for non-smoking visitors with a panoramic view of the Postdamerplatz. |
| Leonardo Hotel Berlin, 3 stars | from 99 euros | The hotel is located between the exhibition center and Kurfürstendamm. All rooms are air conditioned and equipped with hot drinks facilities, a work desk and an en suite bathroom. Breakfast is served from 6.30 am to 10.30 am at an additional cost (EUR 15). |
Budget Accommodation in Berlin
Recreation of tourists with a small budget involves the search for housing from the economy class section.
| The name of the hotel | Cost per day | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pension Classic, 2 stars | 79 euros (with breakfast) | The guest house is a few steps from the famous KaDeWe department store and next to the zoo. There are several parking spaces on site. There are rooms for non-smokers. A buffet is served every morning in the breakfast room. Guests can use the luggage room for free on the day of departure until 20.00. |
| Adam, 2 stars | 55 euros | The hotel is located in the Charlottenburg district. Guests can easily reach the city's main attractions, including Alexanderplatz and the Reichstag. |
| Vivaldi, 3 stars | 75 euros | This is a family-run hotel in the center of Berlin. Most of the rooms face the quiet courtyard, and some have Wi-Fi access. The hotel staff organizes excursions and boat trips along the Spree River. |
| Astrid, 3 stars | 69 euros | The hotel is located in a listed building close to the Kurfürstendamm shopping area. Rooms at the Astrid am Kurfurstandamm offer views of Bleibtreustraße, Kurfürstendamm or the green courtyard. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby. The 24-hour reception staff can provide tourist information. |
| Atrium, 2 stars | 75 euros (breakfast included) | The hotel is just 15 minutes from the Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard and the KaDeWe department store. All rooms are decorated in warm colors and equipped with Wi-Fi internet access. |
Tourists can also consider the following options for a stopover in Berlin: Franke hotel, Estrel hotel, Europa City hotel, Kaiser hotel, Austriana hotel or California hotel.
Top 10 stunning and quirky hotels in Berlin
Due to the relatively low cost of real estate and its openness to experimentation, Berlin attracts designers, architects and artists. The city can be called the new capital of cultural innovation.
| The name of the hotel | Average cost of living per day | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lux11 | 172 euros | The hotel has created a modern, cosmopolitan, futuristic and yet tranquil environment. Located in the Mitte area. |
| Hotel Casa Camper | 224 euro | A modern hotel with an emphasis on relaxation, comfort and sustainability, located in the old Jewish quarter. In the lobby of the top floor, guests have the opportunity to enjoy free drinks and views. There are many boutiques near the hotel. |
| Hotel Q | 175 euros | White and red interior - the merit of the Brad Pitt architectural bureau Graft Group. A lot of attention is paid to detail: there is trendy music in the lobby, red carpets in the corridors, and all the staff are dressed in black. |
| Arcotel John F | 143 euro | Like Berlin itself, this hotel is cosmopolitan. Elegant glossy décor by Austrian industrial designer Schreiber. |
| Art nouveau | 150 euros | A small hotel recently renovated in an art nouveau style. The hotel rooms feature high ceilings, vintage pieces, wood floors and art. The hotel is equipped with an old elevator with a wooden lattice. |
| Motel one | 90 euros | This is one of the budget options. Offers clients rooms with retro decor in turquoise, gray and white shades. |
| Ostel | 90 euros | Those who are nostalgic for the GDR should visit this hotel. The walls in the rooms are covered with wallpaper from the 70s, the rooms have artificial flowers, old-fashioned flowerpots and radios, as well as furniture from the GDR period. |
| MichelBerger | 85 euros | The hotel was created by a group of friends who set out to create something “like your cool buddy’s living room”. The result is a stylish city hotel that captures the spirit of Berlin itself. Located within the walls of an old factory. Various things from flea markets and a large collection of books give a special charm to the rooms. |
| Propeller Island City Lodge Hotel | 109 euros | Is the most extraordinary and surreal. The rooms are decorated by German sculptor Lars Stroshen. You have the option of spending the night in a coffin, in a box with green walls, in a cage, or in boxes under the floor. |
Travel Tips
Here are some guidelines that you might find useful:
- The cost of the room. When reading the hotel's offer, pay attention to any information, especially the one that is written in small print. Some sites provide information on prices excluding taxes and fees.
- Cancel Reservation. If you made a reservation online, you can also cancel it. In case of timely cancellation, the reservation is canceled free of charge. If there are 5-10 days left before arrival, then you will need to pay a fine. The amount of the fine is most often equal to the amount of the daily stay.
- Special offers. Special offers have 2 major drawbacks - full payment for the reservation and the inability to make cancellations. It is worth agreeing to special offers when you are sure that the trip will take place.
- Payment for the hotel room reservation. There are 2 payment options - prepayment and payment on the day of arrival. The second option involves blocking funds on the card. Prepayment and blocking are different concepts. The prepayment is not refundable, and the blocked funds are returned within 5-30 banking days.
- The Berlin Welcome Card will come in handy for budget travelers.
- Many cultural venues are closed on Mondays. The best days for excursions are Tuesday and Wednesday.
- To get around the city, choose public transport.
- When going for a walk, take a copy of your passport with you.
Common questions
Are there any hotels in Berlin with Russian-speaking staff?
Yes, there are hotels in Berlin with Russian-speaking staff: The Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental, Select Hotel Berlin The Wall, The Westin Grand Berlin and Steigenberger Hotel Berlin.
What are the best neighborhoods to stay in Berlin?
It is best to stop in one of these areas of Berlin:
- Mitte,
- Tiergarten,
- Kreuzberg,
- Charlottenburg,
- Friedrichshain,
- Prinzlauerberg,
- Potsdamer Platz.
What is the name of a hotel in Berlin with a zoo?
There are hotels in Berlin that are located near the zoo:
- Waldorf Astoria Berlin (200 m),
- 25hours Hotel Bikini (300 m),
- Hotel Palace Berlin (400 m).
Conclusion
Berlin is a dynamic and multifaceted city, which from a large shopping center turned into a military, and then into an industrial center. Today, ultra-modern buildings are harmoniously combined with quiet parks, club parties with classical music concerts, restaurants with fast food outlets, and students with clerks rushing to work.
You can come here on your own or on a tour. There is always a hotel, apartment or hostel in Berlin for travelers with any financial situation.
