intercityhotel Berlin

Hi, To get to the major sites from Ostbahnhof (I'm well familar with the station and area), you're dependent on the S-Bahn subway, heading west. Or, taxis...there's a taxi station right outside of Ostbahnhof. If you want to be closer to the important historical and cultural sites, I suggest staying closer to Hauptbahnhof. The hotel chain Motel One is very close by. There's one in the east ....one stop before Ostbahnhof at Jannowitzbrücke. Even closer to Hauptbahnhof than Motel One is Meininger Hotel, 2 mins to the right as you exit Hauptbahnhof.

Hauptbahnhof is not that close to many of the cultural sites (closish to the Reichstag, but it's a long cold exposed walk if the weather is bad), and like Ostbahnhof you're limited to the S-Bahn and bus for transportation options (apart from the U55 underground stub that isn't much use until they build the rest of the line to Alexanderplatz). If you want maximum public transportation options, I'd suggest going for somewhere in the region of Friedrichstrasse or Alexanderplatz, although I don't know what the hotels are like around there.

Or look for hotels around Potsdamer Platz.

I stayed at the Motel One in Belleview. It is located 1 stop from the Hbf. and 1 stop from the Tiergarten. I thought it was ideal for my sightseeing purposes and the cost was reasonable too. Nice residential neighborhood and the U-bahn was about a 5-10 min. walk from the hotel. The breakfast is extra, but I think it was only about 6.50 €. Fairly basic, but it fit my appetite, with various breads, cheeses, meats, fruit, jogurts and cereals. I loved having all the cappucinos to drink that I wanted and even took coffees back to my room while I finished getting ready for the day. I would stay at a Motel One in any city, as I enjoy the concept and the decor. Friendly staff too.

Ostbahnhof is not very central and it's also a not so beautiful area - and personally I wouldn't feel too comfortable there in darkness. The MotelOne Berlin Ku'Damm would be in an excellent location. Or try the H2 Hotel at Alexanderplatz. I stayed there once and it's very central and affordable (www.h2-hotels.de)