Berlin accommodations

I don't know if you want quaint or not, but I found Motel One to suit my needs and taste. It is a European chain, but with modern, nice decor. Price is good, great showers and a big, comfy bed, with friendly staff. There are several of them scattered around the city.

After reading Jo's reply I googled Motel One in Berlin. The map came up pinpointing several. There are lots of reviews. Considering location, I'd probably pick the one called Motel One on KuDamm; the address is Kantstrasse 7 (B on the map). A and F are also conveniently located. As you can tell from the map it's really close to public transportation. I've been to Berlin several times and I think the location is very good, quite central. Even if you a different hotel, the area on the map where the Motel One places are is a convenient one.

Thanks for all the advice! I really appreciate it!

When I went last summer, I stayed at EastSeven hostel. It was two stops north of Alexanderplatz - so close to the center of East Berlin. I guess it depends on what you want to be "near" (East or West). It was pretty cheap, and nice. It was a hostel, so the bathroom was down the hall, but it was quiet and they sold Coke from their fridge so it was ICE cold - which was important to me b/c it was literally 99 degrees Fahrenheit when I was there. It did take some time to get to West Berlin, but the U-Bahn/S-Bahn system was incredibly easy to navigate. :)

Also check out Pension Peters (http://www.pension-peters-berlin.de/) - it's near public transportation and a good value.

I second Sharon's suggestion of Pension Peters. I stayed there on a trip to Berlin a few yrs back and liked it a lot. Rick's a big fan of it, and for good reason. It's a typical Rick suggestion; small, homey, very clean, family-run and a great value. Also a good location; about a 10 min, very easy and pleasent walk to Banhoff Zoo, which puts you in a good location for sight-seeing. Features spacious, very clean and comfortable guest rooms and a good bfast each AM served in a very pleasent common room. And the owners; woman named Annika and her husband, Christoph; couldn't be nicer/more accomodating.

I just got back from Europe and stayed at The Circus Hotel (they also operate a hostel) and I enjoyed it a lot. They are near public transportation and in a good location for me and it is a good price (90euro/night).

Karen, If you want to be near the important sights, centrally located and all that, I would suggest the Meininger Hotel, just to the right of Berlin Hauptbahnhof, on Ella-Trebe Straße 9. I myself haven't stayed there, but it was highly recommended to me by someone who did, and if you want to be close to Hauptbahnhof and the major sights. As pointed out above, it depends if you have a preference to stay in the "western" or "eastern" area. The so called chic areas are now in the "east," especially Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg. You'll be exploring the sights in Mitte. I always stay in Charlottenburg, where numerous Pensionen are located, among them the one recommended above, Pension Peters. If you prefer staying in the "west," then Charlottenburg has some very decent prices for hotels and Pensionen.

Thanks everyone! We just booked our room at EastSeven! Now onto Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich... Thanks again!