Berlin Schöneberg And Wilmersdorf

Jugendhotel Berlincity, Crellerstr. 22 (www.jugendhotel-berlin.de), Located on a quiet street and bordered by trees, this Jugendhotel Berlincity has first-class rooms, but no dorms. This hostel is a splurge for solo travelers and small groups (think arching-brick-ceilings-and-dark-wood-floors kind of splurge), and usually larger groups get more reasonable rates. The hostel has a strict no smoking and no alcohol policy. U7: Kleistpark. Wi-Fi €1 per 30min., €5 per day. Sheets and breakfast included. Singles €38, with bath €52; doubles from €60/79; triples €87/102; quads €112/126; quints €124/150; 6-person rooms €146/168. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.
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JetPAK, Pücklerstr. 54 (www.jetpak.de), JetPAK is way out in the boonies; if you're even remotely concerned about having a somewhat central location, think hard before booking here. That said, there's a lot that sets this hostel apart, and might make it worth the walk, bus, or train. Converted from an old German army camp, the hostel has been warmed up with colorful walls and comfortable beds and sofas, and is now more convincing as a summer camp. With showers heated by the hostel's own solar panels, this JetPAK is also one of Berlin's most environmentally conscious places to kick back and reap the benefits of nature. U3: Fehrbelliner Pl. or U9: Güntzselstr., then bus #115 (dir. Neurippiner Str.): Pücklerstr. Follow the signs to Grunewald, and turn left on Pücklerstr. Turn left again when the JetPAK sign directs you, just before the road turns to dirt. Breakfast, linens, and Internet included. 8-bed dorms €14; doubles €23. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Art-Hotel Connection, Fuggerstr. 33 (www.arthotel-connection.de), Recently redecorated with deep purple walls, crystal chandeliers, and dark wood floors, this hotel is (almost) nothing but class. A gay hotel that describes itself as “hetero-friendly,” Art-Hotel boasts some of the most sophisticated style in Shöneberg. But lest we get too serious, this hotel also offers “playrooms,” with slings and other sex toys. U1, U2 or U15: Wittenbergpl. Mar-Oct singles €48; doubles €64; “playrooms” €99. Nov.-Feb. €43/59/89. Reception 8am-10pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. GLBT
JetPAK City Hostel, Pariserstr. 58 (www.jetpak.de), There's nothing like large rooms with pine bunks, large windows, and brightly colored walls to lessen the institutional hostel feel. Owned by the same people who started the JetPAK in Grunewald, this hostel is much more central and practical for the city traveler, if not quite so one-of-a-kind. But after all, real estate hints at the importance of “location, location, location.” The bathrooms are newly tiled, and the common room has couches and a foosball table. Most JetPAK travelers book ahead of time online. U3 or U9: Spichernstr. Linens included. Most breakfast items, including croissants, €1. 8-bed dorms from €18; 6 bed dorms from €19; 4 bed dorms from €20. Reception 8am-midnight. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Jugendgästehaus Central, Nikolsburger Str. 2-4 (www.jugendgaestehaus-central.de), With a little more charm than the average jugendgästehaus, a few fun murals brighten this otherwise sparse hostel. The common room has a pool and foosball table and a TV for guests. A friendly, English-speaking staff that's actually helpful makes this otherwise ordinary hostel, usually reserved by groups, a slightly better option for backpackers. U9: Güntzelstr. Sheets €2.50 for stays of less than 3 nights. More than 3 nights, sheets included. Mar-Oct €24 with breakfast included, with half-board €28, with full board €30. Nov-Feb €20/24/26. For a single room, add €5.50 per night. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Jugendhotel”Vier Jahreszeiten”, Bundasallee 31a (www.jugendhotel-4j.de), These rooms may be a little lacking in character with white walls and sparse decoration, but we always fall hard for bathrooms that actually have baths! Two rooms share a bathroom, with three common rooms and eating spaces on the first floor. Mostly popular with school groups, but also takes in a fair number of backpackers. U7 to “Güntzelstr.” Breakfast and sheets included. Doubles €22.50; 6-bed rooms €22.50 per night. Reception 24hr. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.
CVJM Jugendgästehaus, Einemstr. 10 (www.cvjm-jugendgaestehaus.de), From the outside, CVJM, a YMCA hostel, is sterile and plain. The interior is slightly warmer and always well-cleaned, with pine beds and large windows, if still lacking creative decoration. But there's not much to criticize about the top-floor common room, which has an open fireplace and views of Berlin. Hostel is usually booked for school groups. Quiet hours from 11pm. U1, U3, U4, or U9: Nollendorfpl. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, and linens included. Lunch €3.20 extra. Mar-Oct singles €35; doubles €27.50; 3-bed rooms €25.50; 4-bed rooms €24.50. Reception M-F 9am-6pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.
Arta Lenz Hotel, Xantener Str. 8 (www.arta-lenz-hotel.de), Arta Lenz Hotel is a step up from most of the surrounding hostels in comfort, but far from opulent. A few rooms, including reception and the main entryway, reflect West Berlin's affluent past and the wealth on the nearby Kurfürstendamm, with granite walls, dark wood paneling, and marble floors. The rooms also have high ceilings with simple decorative carving around the top, but underwhelm with bland furnishings. Still, especially for groups of multiple travelers, Arta Lenz offers reliable, clean rooms for a very reasonable cost. Call ahead or check the website for prices: they can vary significantly. U7 to “Adenauerpl.” Breakfast included. Internet €5 per day. Singles from €39; doubles from €49; triples from €59; quads from €69. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
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Olivaer Apart Hotel, Konstanzer Str. 1 (www.olivaer-apart-hotel.de), With all new, sleek modern furniture, and dark wood paneling on ground floor walls, Olivaer is certainly more refined than any hostel in Shöneberg. That said, its rooms lack character, with nondescript white wallpaper, red carpeting, and simple beds. Rooms are all well-maintained, and bathrooms are decorated with marble tiled floors and shower stalls. And after a day of walking all over decadent shloβes, who couldn't use some trodding on marble? Sometimes “third beds” are fold out couches; check by email or phone, or at reception to find out what you're getting. Prices vary, so call ahead. U7 to “Adenauerpl.” Breakfast included. Internet access for a fee. Singles from €39; doubles from €49; triples from €59; quads from €79; quints from €99. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
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