Hotel Recommendations for Berlin

Unlike most German cities, Berlin doesn't really have one central district. Rather, it consists of many far-flung neighborhoods. But the combinations of S and U bahn allow you to easily move around the city. Enough people on this website have reported satisfication with Pension Peters, so you probably wouldn't gain much by changing.

I found the location of Pension Peters to be very convenient for getting to all the Berlin sights. It wasn't really walking distance to the sights themselves but walking distance to two S-bahn stations (Savigny Platz and Zoolischer Garten) from which you can get anywhere. If you're interested in doing any walking tours, several of them meet at the Zoolischer Garten station and go from there - even the walking tours will often start with a ride on the S-bahn or U-bahn because Berlin is so spread out. I particularly liked the neighborhood around the pension and Savigny Platz.

Seconding the positive comment about the Savignyplatz area. Lots of restaurants of varying ethnicity, moderately priced. Side streets have residential apartment buildings. A nice area.

Berlin hotel rates are generally quite moderate by the standard of European capitals, so you shouldn't need to spend a lot.

Pension Peters, according to its website, does not have a car park. According to them, there is a public car park two minutes' walk away, but it costs ten euros a day. Very few hotels in central Berlin have their own parking included.

Most of the local destinations outside Berlin have good public transport links. I would seriously consider only getting the car when you head for Dresden.

I agree with Philip, a car is more of a hindrance than a help in any of the bigger cities in Europe and not needed in Berlin. I think waiting until you head out the city to rent a car is better, unless of course you're coming to Berlin from somewhere else by car. €10/day is quite reasonable for parking in a large European city so I wouldn't let that discourage me from staying at Pension Peters. Car parks in Mitte, closer to some main sights will probably be more than that.

We stayed at Hotel Adelante Berlin--Mitte and it was perfect for us. We walked everywhere from Alexander Platz to Potsdamer Platz to the Reichstag. We chose to walk rather than take the S-Bahn, but that would have been convenient as well. I don't think there is parking at the hotel, but didn't check as we did not have a car. Also, we took the train from Dresden to Berlin, and walked to the hotel from the main train station -- all very convenient.

I'd suggest staying with Pension Peters as it's very comfortable, in a great location and the staff are wonderful. Lots of restaurants in the area and easy access to transportation via Savignyplatz or Bahnhof Zoo. I agree with the comment about picking up your car when you leave Berlin. For car rental information in Germany, you might have a look at www.gemut.com (they're very helpful).