Hi there,
I am booking a surprise holiday for my parents to Berlin and wondered which area of Berlin would be best for them. I understand that Berlin is quite spread out in terms of attractions but was looking for some advice.
They%26#39;ll be flying out on 27th of dec - It%26#39;s part christmas present but also that date is their 35th wedding anniversary. I want their trip to be as magical and romantic as possible, as they haven%26#39;t been on holiday just the two of them since my sister and I were born in the 1980s!
I%26#39;m sure they%26#39;ll be more than happy to jet off all over the place during the day as they love sight seeing, but wanted the hotel to be as central as possible, so that in the evenings, they%26#39;re close to restaurants and ideally, within walking distance to a beautiful monument/church/building/attraction so that they can take a scenic midnight stroll back to the hotel. Is there maybe an older part of the town which is a bit more rustic and scenic than some of the modern areas?
Also, is there anything unique going on in the city at that time of year just after christmaS? Was thinking along the lines of a christmas market or festival perhaps?
any other suggestions or tips would be very welcome - Many thanks in advance!
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Christmas markets will be closed then unfortunately.
I have stayed twice at the Westin Grand and liked it but we are booked in November at Melia Berlin in Mitte, in walking distance to many things.
Berlin is huge and public transport excellent so we look for a nice hotel in walking distance of cafes and restaurants when we are back from a full day out and about.
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Some of the Christmas markets in Berlin are open after Christmas. The one around the ruined church near the Zoo is open til 3 Jan. Another one is open thru the 27th. Just check through all of them for Berlin, there are bunch of them.
weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/weihnachtsmar…
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As mentioned by Bornheimgirl, some Christmas Markets would be still open. New Year%26#39;s Eve is a big event in Berlin - it might also affect prices.
Regarding hotel area, most of Berlin%26#39;s historic city centre was destroyed in the War, but the Hackescher Markt area (hotels like Lux 11, Hackscher Markt, Motel One Alexanderplatz) might be what you%26#39;re looking for.
Another good area is near Gendarmenmarkt, but it is quite luxurious around there (Hotel de Rome, Regent, Hilton).
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Most romantic place in Berlin is the Gendarmenmarkt. Also the boulevard Unter den Linden is in parts romantic.
However not exactly the locations with the cheapest hotels.
berlin.de/orte/…
http://www.gendarmenmarktberlin.de/
%26gt; there maybe an older part of the town which is a bit more rustic and scenic than some of the modern areas?
Quite a mix in Berlin. Depends also how heavy the destructions in WWII have been. This can change from street to street in Berlin.
http://www.wintermagic-berlin.com/
Berlin has however romantic aspects one would not expect. E.g. from the still existing 77.000 street gas lanterns on this planet, 44.000 are in Berlin. Of course there is also an (open air) Gas Lantern Museum.
berliner-verkehrsseiten.de/gaslaternen/museu…
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Prenzlauer Berg in the area round Kollwitzplatz is attractive; mainly unbombed and with major renovation (after GDR neglect) in recent years. It%26#39;s got two U-Bahn ststions on U-2 to get you to lots of sights really quickly eg Stadtmitte is right by Gendarnmenmarkt, where the market goes on till NewYear I believe.
Otherwise the Meliá is a great central location and an easy stroll to Oranienburger Strasse/Hackescher Markt area and to Unter den Linden. Friends and family have stayed at the Meliá and were very happy.
I suggest you book a table for them in the restaurant next to Reichstag Dome. Food is good, views are great from the terrace and, best of all, you get to go up the dome without having to stand in the freezing cold on the steps of the Reichstag.
email: kaeferreservierung.berlin€@feinkostkaefer.de. Lunch ischeaper than dinner.
If they like opera Berlin is perfect: three opera houses and seats not too dear. Magic Flute is on at the Staatsoper on Unter den Linden on 28th and 30th December, 2 performances both days, and La boheme on 29th. We%26#39;ve seen %26quot;Zauberflöte%26quot; there and it really is magical. www.staatsoper-berlin.de
At Deutsche Oper: La boheme on Dec 30th and two performances of Barber of Seville on 31st.
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Thanks everyone, your replied have been so helpful and really detailed. Thank you so much for your ideas and suggestions :) xxx
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We stayed a week at Radisson Blu, and it was so special and magical. The hotel is located by the water and directly on the other side is the Berliner Dome and the start of Museum Island. At night the Dome is lit, and on the island there are ice-skating rings and small bars with %26quot;glüwein%26quot;. So special.
Very romantic.
And what a lovely present from you, your parents will love Berlin.
Tina.
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It all depends on the budget. The Radisson is indeed a very nice modern hotel, especially when my friend Hr Knecthli was running it, and it is spectacular to overlook Europe%26#39;s largest aquarium from your hotel window. But is it romantic for an older couple? I am not sure, although the breakfast on the canal boat is quite nice too, but probably not in winter.
The problem is that Berlin is a very big city in area so nice romantic places like the Schlosshotel in the Grunewald is a little too remote. Another lovely place is the Regent Berlin, in the historic Gendarmermarkt, which also has an excellent restaurant, Fischer Fritz. It is also close to Friedrichstrasse if people like to look at shops and stuff, and not too far from the Brandenburg Gate. So the Regent would be my recommendation if budget is not an issue. There are also cool bars and elegant restaurants nearby, such as Aigner, Refugium, Borchardt, Vau, Bocca di Bacco and good cocktails at Trader Vic and the Newton Bar.
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