shag

We will be in Berlin next week. What neighbord would you recommend for a hotel? Do you know any hotels you would recommend? What about any exceptional resturants?

Thanks

Sharon

hsv

I would recommend staying somewhere around the Mitte district, i.e. the area just East of the Brandenburg Gate. This used to be the bland city center of former East Berlin, but has been immaculately revived and it does offer some buzz. Nightlife and shopping options are manifold.

That said, I think the new Berlin Radisson on Karl-Liebknecht-Str. is a good option if you enjoy a modern ambiance.
Another option would be the Berlin Marriott, which is brand new, too. This one is not located East of the Brandenburg Gate, but on Potsdamer Platz, a new square that used to be located in the former death strip separating the two halves of the city. It is only steps to the Brandenburg Gate and the adjacent Unter- den- Linden Blvd. that forms the main artery of Mitte.
Also on Potsdamer Platz, but rather a 5-star property, the Grand Hyatt is my absolute favorite offering immaculate and friendly service and a gorgeous rooftop- pool and spa. You might want to check their rates, too.

I'll get beack to you for some restaurant recommendations.

tom42

I was in Berlin last spring. The Grand Hyatt is very nice - I had dinner and drinks there and was impressed. I stayed, however, at the new Ritz Carlton - also at Potsdamer Platz and it was excellent. Highly recommend it. As far as restaurants, if you do a search under my name, you will see that I posted about my restaurant experienes in Berlin. From Vox at the Hyatt, to Dressler, Aigner and Desbrosses (in the Ritz Carlton), not a bad meal was had.

Betsy

Stayed at the new Marriott at Potsdamer Platz in October through Priceline for $55/night for a double. Loved the hotel. If you're unfamiliar with PL, go to biddingfortravel.com and study the bidding process very thoroughly.

hsv

Regarding restaurants:
The 'First Floor' restaurant at the Palace Hotel (in the center of West Berlin) is supposed to be Berlin's best - but it certainly does come at a steep price.

Margaux on Friedrichstr. would be another top-class establishment. Have not eaten there personally, though.

Facil at the Madison Hotel and Suites on Potsdamer Platz is also gourmet style.

I usually prefer a bit more casual places and share the favorable review of Asian influenced Vox at the Grand Hyatt by tom42.

Another casual option that I find quite pleasant is Lutter & Wegner on Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte district, which also has some nice wines. It is Austrian influenced in their cuisine style.

Diekmann's in West Berlin is also very good food at reasonable prices. It is often cramped full and you need to be willing to forgive them, if they try to fetch a bottle from the rack just behind you if you want to truly enjoy it...;-).

And finally Monsieur Vuong is a very fashionable Vietnamese eatery that everybody seems to frequent these days. The advantage is that it's dirt cheap - but the menu is only small.

111op

I ate at Vau in 2003, which was quite good. I dined alone and spent about 100 euros, if I remember right. It has/had one Michelin star. It's near Gendarmenmarkt, which is itself a star attraction of the city.