Berlin Budget Hotel (Intercity Hotel Berlin)

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Intercity Hotel Berlin
Date:	15/07/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great location, low room rates, nice rooms, no train noise

Disadvantages: No frills

I stayed for 3 nights at this hotel late in 2008 and would highly recommend it for short breaks, mainly due to its location - literally connected to Ostbahnhof station - which means its easy to get around the sprawling city. The U-Bahn does not go from Ostbahnhof but the S-Bahn and overland trains do go frequently, Alexanderplatz is only a couple of stops away and so you can be in the centre of the City within a few minutes and can pretty much get to anywhere with ease.

Being in a hotel attached to a main train station also has its plus points, there are of course cash machines, coffee shops and restaurants, newsagents and the like all right outside your hotel. Inside the hotel there is a bar and restaurant, I used the bar a couple of times on my stay and it was quite contemporary feeling, with drinks priced pretty well with a pint of decent German beer for a couple of Euros.

I didnt eat in the hotel restaurant so cannot comment on what the quality of food was like, in this location there is just such a wide array on your doorstep that it seems a shame to stay in the hotel.

The lobby area was small, clean and efficient with an entrance on one side which led onto the street and double doors on the other which went straight into the train station. There were a couple of seating areas and a computer terminal with internet access which you could buy a card at reception for, I used this twice and the speed and connectivity were good. There are a couple of lifts at the back of reception to take you up to the rooms and these were quick and efficient, I never had to wait for long for one.

All the staff I encountered were friendly and spoke very good English, despite my attempts in German! I asked for some extra towels on the second day and they were placed in my room while I was out. Nothing seemed too much trouble and they were very friendly and amenable.

My room, on the 6th floor, was clean and much like a generic chain hotel had modern furniture and decor, a great bathroom with power shower, mini bar etc. I was in a twin room but the beds were pushed together, this didnt bother me and they could have been easily seperated. The bed was very comfortable and I slept really well.

Despite being on the back of the hotel overlooking the station platforms I was not disturbed by noise from the trains (although I didnt have the windows open as it was December and freezing). My room was very quiet and I got the impression there was triple glazing to block out as much noise as possible.

The staff here were very helpful and as part of my room rate I got a travel card which was a real bonus. I am not sure if this is standard or was just part of my deal, but even if I had bought the travelcard it would have paid for itself, public transport is very efficient in this city and well worth using.

This hotel is also only a few minutes walk from the longest remaining stretch of the wall along the river and through the station the other way there are plenty of food stalls and shops. The station itself contains plenty of cheap places to eat and drink so I didnt bother with the hotel breakfast.

You can book this hotel online via the InterCity Hotels website and I found it all to be very straightforward. I paid around 60 Euros a night for my room booking direct with them which at the time was about £40 a night. In my opinion thats very good value indeed. This hotel does not offer any frills but its clean, tidy, friendly and in a great location.

Overall I would recommend this hotel for its great value and good service. A wonderful and convenient base from which to explore Berlin.

Summary: A great base from which to explore Berlin