Astrid Hotel am Kurfürstendamm

It’s an older place, but dated in a good way, and it was spotless. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful. It’s a fantastic spot, about a five-minute walk from Savignyplatz station, which is on the direct line from BER airport. I’d highly recommend it.

The rooms look a little dated, but they were comfortable for what we needed. Shops, bars, restaurants and the zoo are all within walking distance, and public transport is handy too.

The double room had loads of room for walking around and storing our luggage, and the high ceilings made it feel even bigger. We also had a balcony with a table and chairs. The old building has a bit of charm, though there’s no usable elevator, so expect to take the stairs. The shower was the main drawback. The water pressure was strong, but hardly any water came through the head, and there was nowhere to hang it. The location worked really well, with an S-Bahn station just a few blocks away for getting around Berlin and Kurfürstendamm, with its shops and restaurants, only a short walk away.

The rooms have lovely old details, like wooden walls and floors, and were cozy and clean. They were also quiet, apart from birds singing in the inner garden. Breakfast was all right, and I thought it was good value for the money. It’s a handy base for Berlin, close to an S-Bahn station and lots of restaurants.