Trip Date: Feb 18, 2008 View This TripVery centrally located in Mitte, a couple blocks off Charlottenstrasse; Two underground lines available less than two blocks away, short walks to Brandenburger Tor, Potsdamer Platz, Alexanderplatz, Unter Den Linden, the Gendarmemarkt, Humboldt University, and the Museum Insel. For a first-time visitor it's very handy to all the "must-see" tourist attractions. Banks, pharmacies, and (high-end) shopping very nearby on Charlottenstr.
I had a private room with shared toilet / shower (shared amongst three rooms) never had any problems with hot water or waiting for the shower etc. Staff was friendly, the room was clean and fairly well-appointed (could have used a dresser or desk), and the breakfasts are very generous. The room was quite quiet despite it's urban setting... although, like everywhere in Berlin, there is always construction going on, and I can tell you that they don't take weekends off.
The only downside to the location is that there is not much nearby in terms of nightlife or restaurants (those in the area are very tourist-oriented), and of course you won't encounter many native berliners in the area. It can be a drag having to hop on transit every evening to escape the tourists and find a meal or a beer... and if you're out past two am on a weekday, you'll have to navigate the night bus system - make sure you plan in advance for this. This was my first time in Berlin and, if I were to do it again, I would spend maybe a couple nights at Putinn then probably move out of the town center for the rest of my stay - perhaps into Charlottenburg or Friederichshain, two areas I really enjoyed.
My only complaint is that they really, really need to clean the fish tank.
ballpein's Rating:
7 
Hostel am Friedrichshain
