I have a reservation at the Motel One at Potsdamer Platz. I see the chain has availability at the Alexandrrplatz and Ku’damm locations. I am walker and history buff so want to see as many major sites as possible as well as spend a day in Potsdam. Ima solo, senior female traveler - I’d like a vibrant not necessarily clubby neighborhood. Your thoughts on the best location for me?
The sites in Berlin are so spread out that any one place will not cover them all, but there will be things in to see in walking distance from any one. The Ku'damm location is by the Zoo'Bahnhof, so that would be convenient for a trip to Potsdam. The No 100 bus goes from there and covers a lot of central Berlin.
If you're a good walker, Alexanderplatz is closer to Mitte and the Museum Insel, walkable and it's by a transit hub for both the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. It was the center of former East Berlin and is not "pretty" in the immediate surrounds but it's close to a lot of my favorite areas.
Most people here seem to prefer to stay in the West and will recommend that. That area is nice but I prefer being closer to "the action" in the East.
Postdammer Platz itself is home to a modern mall/movie theater complex (although it does house the film muesum) and is pretty charmless, although also fairly convenient transit connections. If I had my druthers, I'd do Alexanderplatz.
I have only ever been to Berlin once a couple of years ago with my walking group.We stayed in the Stiglitz area which though ok was well away from all the major sights.the Ubahn and Sbahn were nearby and were great but If I was going to Berlin again ,and I may in the next year or so then I would stay near Alexanderplatz or Mitte area. Plus I found a great Micro brewery bar near Alexanderplatz and if I could I would just sleep there.