Archive for the ‘berlin’ Category

Boutique apartments and rooms at Circus Hotel in Berlin

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

If you’re looking for an apartment in Berlin that you can rent by the night, or a stylish contemporary boutique hotel that won’t break the bank, or a cool backpacker’s hostel, Circus Hotel and Hostel in Berlin will fit all your lodging needs.

Circus Hotel Berlin

Circus Hotel Berlin

I’d first heard about the well established Circus Hostel just across the road from the newer Circus hotel and was attracted by the apartments that are available in both the hostel and hotel, hoping for some privacy for myself, my daughter and her friends, while providing a youthful environment for the teenagers. We eventually settled on a four person apartment in the Circus Hotel for the teenagers and a room for myself in the main hotel.

The Circus hotel and hostel are very easily accessed by train from the airport and the S-Bahn station at Rosenthalerplatz is right outside the hotel. Circus hotel is housed in an old building that was once a tailoring store but was renovated and re-opened as a hotel in October 2008 in modern but comfortable boutique style. The apartments are through the courtyard towards the back of the hotel and the teenagers were thrilled with the two good size bedrooms and two shower rooms as well as a small sitting area and well equipped kitchen. The decor was modern with quirky touches and kitch accessories which gave the apartment bags of personality.

Apartment in Circus Hotel Berlin

Apartment in Circus Hotel Berlin

My hotel room across the courtyard was slightly more sophisticated in neutral shades of taupe and marine blue with accents of turquoise, leather and bamboo furniture and modern prints on the wall. The shower room was in the same neutral tones with a large walk in shower and large mirror and although the room faced the street, it was double glazed to minimise the street noise.

The hotel operates a policy of sustainability, using eco-friendly products, supporting local producers and suppliers and reducing waste wherever possible. As an example of this, the hotel rooms do not have mini-bars to save energy, supply tap rather than bottled water and miniatures of natural Weleda toiletries are available at reception but are not left in the hotel rooms. The hotel also thoughtfully provides many services such as loan of DVDs about Berlin, loan of I-pods with carefully selected music for your stay and offering many public transport options for guests from bike and Segway rental to public transport tickets.

Room at Circus Hotel Berlin

Room at Circus Hotel Berlin

The other outstanding feature of the Circus hotel is the super-friendly young staff who are brimming with enthusiasm and go out of their way to offer help and advice on things to see and local restaurants and bars. We also enjoyed eating in the Fabisch restaurant downstairs which is open to non-residents and offers German favourites with a modern twist, using local and seasonal ingredients wherever possible and there’s a reasonably priced daily special at lunch-time. We also felt very relaxed on the squashy leather sofas in the bar area where they make outstanding cocktails too.

Fabisch restaurant at Circus Hotel, Berlin

Fabisch restaurant at Circus Hotel, Berlin

For the stylish, modern ambiance and warm and welcoming service, I thought the Circus hotel and apartments were excellent value with rooms starting from €80 per night and a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 people from €160 per night.

Circus Hotel, Rosenthaler Strasse 1, 10119, Berlin

For other Berlin hotels and ideas on things to do in Berlin, do visit the Uptake Website and for more budget Berlin lodging check out this floating Eastern Comfort Hostel or this Heart of Gold Hostel in Berlin

Photo Credits: All photos by Heather on her travels on Flickr

A Floating Hostel in Central Berlin, Germany

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

The Bar on the Eastern Comfort Hostel Boat

Centrally located, moored on the River Spree and close to the lively areas of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain the ‘hostel boat’ Eastern Comfort, was the first of its kind in Berlin. With a choice of single, double, triple or four bed cabins there is a choice for every budget traveller who wants the affordability of a hostel, but with a little added luxury and a touch of the unusual.
Despite being on the water, the Eastern Comfort is a fully equipped hostel, featuring a laundry room, WIFI access and a TV room/common area. Even a mini bar is available (on request) in first class cabins. A lounge/deck area, with views over the river and central Berlin is connected to the bar, which serves beer, snacks and full meals as well as organizing English and German parties in combination with regular events such as ‘language night’.
The boat is conveniently moored close to the Oberbaum Bridge, just a few minutes walk from the Central Station and metro which serves the entire city.
In such a confined space the Eastern Comfort may not be a good option for those looking for a quiet few days, but for anyone who wants a lively atmosphere, the hostel boat is the perfect base for exploring the sights of Berlin and its famous nightlife.
First-class single/double cabins (on the upper deck), with en suite facilities are available for €64/€78 while second-class single/double cabins (on the lower deck), with en suite facilities are priced at €50/€58. Shared dormitory style rooms start at €16, or for those on a true shoestring camping on the upper deck is possible for €12 per night.

More information is available on the Eastern Comfort website.

Related Posts:

Unique Treehouse Lodging in Southern Germany

Castle Hotels- Sight Sleeping in Germany

East Berlin in the Late 80s

Photo Credit: Eastern Comfort

From Marseille to Berlin- before ITB, PhoCusWright and Bloggers Summit

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

For the fun, an Animoto video from my photos I made from Marseille to Berlin trip and then in Berlin where I had a chance to have little time to play tourist :)

Will be at PhoCusWright, then in the panel at Bloggers Summit and in Berlin till 15th morning.

Enjoy

The link to see the video as I have trouble with embeded stuff in WP

PS : Hotel Bogota is nice but still old fashion as you can see in the video the very old telephone in my room :)