Hotéis em Friedrichshain, Berlim

Prós: location, cleaning, staff

Contras: responding to my emails not so often

Prós: The hotel was very elegant and private, with long corridors with very low traffic, and beautifully appointed art deco furnishings. Everything worked well, the room was very clean, and virtually all the staff very courteous and helpful. Apples at the front desk are a very nice touch.

Contras: The elevator for the one floor ride to the parking lot (where the bicycle parking is as well) was quite slow. It should serve as an indication of how good everything was that this is the only complaint I can come up with...

Prós: Friendly, helpful staff. Large rooms with plenty of amenities. Comfortable bed... really all the basics are covered and covered well.

Contras: The noise. There is a courtyard, which I think leads from the hotel's restaurant. Every night there were revelers up until 2, 3 in the morning. The echoes bounce off the rooms, amplifying it, making it difficult if you're anything but a deep sleeper. I think the earliest I was able to fall asleep was about 2am. Listen, this shouldn't completely deter you from staying here -- it has a wonderful staff and so close to just about anything -- but definitely, pack ear plugs.

Prós: Good business hotel, good breakfast buffet, small fitness studio. Decent location, walk to Berghain, East Side Gallery, Friedrichshain; next to Ostbahnhof for easy access to S-Bahn and long distance trains.

Contras: Wifi doesn't reach many rooms. The hotel management promised to change the wifi system in 2014. Staff was inflexible on early checkin. Funky, glassed-in shower next to bed might be great for strippers but less for families.