After spending 8 nights in a Berlin apartment, then a few days in the Harz Mountains, we needed a hotel for one last night in the city prior to our morning departure home.

We chose the Motel One for its reasonable rates, location and swanky decor. By far, it exceeded all expectations.

The location was excellent, right next to "Alex" and all its transport and shopping options, plus it was smack in the middle of the hip areas of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte, within walking distance to everything.

The hotel was immaculately clean, with a funky, zen-like atmosphere. The rooms were decorated in aqua fabrics and dark brown wood, with a glass-walled shower with powerful head and black granite tile, plus a modern ceramic bowl sink with shiny stainless fixtures. The flat-screen tv was welcome, as were the heavy tapestry curtains that kept out the city lights at night.

Our room faced the rear of the property, overlooking an building lot and building rooftops. It was extremely quiet -- we heard no outside noise, nor neighbor noises.

The staff was friendly and efficient. We skipped the delicious-looking breakfast because we were headed to the airport, but it sure looked nice. WiFi is available, as is a computer with pricey coin-operated Internet access, but we opted to use the gigantic and cheap Internet cafe above the Dunkin' Donuts on Alexanderplatz instead.

Don't miss the the Brauhaus Lemke, just down the street at 143 Dircksenstrasse, close to Haeckescher Markt. Wonderful, warm atmosphere, great food, happy waiters, and incredible hand-crafted beer.

You'll love the Motel One, as well as the rest of Berlin. We did.

As other reviewers have said the location of this hotel is fantastic. Just a few minutes walk from the S bahn so brilliant to come in from the airport. We had rooms with a view of the television tower and although also over the S bahn tracks the noise was not a problem. We decided to go for the breakfast as at 6,50 euros it was ok value. I can really only think of one thing to complain of, the bedrooms are pretty small. The design is pretty cool also, our 17 year old was very impressed!

Me and my wife stayed in a double room for three nights in late january. We payed 74 euros for the room per night, which was without breakfast. I recommend that you don't include the breakfast which will cost you 6,50 euro per person, as there are lots of nice places to eat close to the hotel (try the hackescher höfe area).

The lobby of the hotel is very trendy and the design is obviously well thought through. The same goes for the stylish room, all in all I would say that the hotel looks like a 4 star hotel. What makes it a 2 star is the lack of certain things as wardrobe, telephone and minibar in the rooms. The room was also quite small, but that does not matter to us at all when we are on a trip like this. The only negative thing I could say is that the rooms that face the front is 20m from the railway line, but as always on travel we had brought earplugs so we heard nothing. Ask for a room facing the backyard if this bothers you. Also, the bed was very hard, even for me who likes a firm bed. Other than this I would say we had a brilliant stay. The standard in this hotel is by no means a two star. The bathroom was very nice along with rest of the room. My wife (who is a designer) fell in love with the curtains and the bedblanket, which had the same patterns as was used in the receptionarea.

FoodTip:
- Eat at the restaurants close to the hotel, there is a lovely thai restaurant just outside, and a great italian trattoria called Ossena in (Hackescher hôfe). I would also recommend the "ming dynastie" opposite to the chinese ambassy (metrostop is Jannowitz brücke). Fantastic food and enormous portions at reasonable prices.

BarTip:
- Erdbeerbar not far from Alexander Platz (Max-Beer-Str. 56) has fantastic daquiries in many flavours. It is not very big, and has a urban relaxed feel.

Sightseeing:
- Brandenburger Tor, the berlin wall etc are obvious attractions, but nothing beats going up in fernseherturm for a view of the city at a height of 220m. It will cost you 9,5 euros per person and is well worth the money. I recommend going here in the last period of your trip, so that you can get a better understanding of where you have been (which streets etc).

This was my first stay at the Alexanderplatz location, but rarely my first trip to Berlin - I travel there often on business.
The Motel One Alexanderplatz is located right at this famous square, and thus within walking distance to many businesses and tourist attractions. Public transport connections are excellent - there is hardly a more central place to stay in Berlin.
The rooms are small but nicely furnished (including a flat screen TV with built-in DVD player, granite-and-tiles designer bathrooms) and excellently soundproofed.
The hotel opened in 2007, so everything is new and spotlessly clean.
There is no minibar and no in-room telephones. This ties in with the concept that you pay for your room at check-in (all major cards accepted), so there are no queues at check-out. you just drop the key card. In-room Internet is available for a fee, as is a public Internet terminal next to the lobby.

The spacious lobby offers free wireless Internet access (WiFi), drinks and snacks in the evenings. In the morning, the buffet breakfast (6.50 Euros) is served there.
The hotel does not have a restaurant, but there are numerous restaurants around the Alexanderplatz square, as well as all major fast food chains located in the train station - so you will not go hungry.

The hotel offers very good value for money. I would recommend it both to tourists and business travelers to Berlin who like very good, centrally located accommodation at an affordable price. If you look for room service, a spa or other luxuries, this "two star superior" hotel is not for you.