Rooms vary largely
by TripAdvisor Member cb0079
Encouraged by the positive reviews posted earlier and the room rate of EUR 54 per night on accomline, I have booked the Agon Frankfurter Allee for a three night stay from 30th Dec'05 to 2nd Jan'06. On the booking website, you could choose between twin and double room and we choose a double. However, we were given a twin room instead. When I asked the hotel staff, they said that they never distinguish between double and twin bookings and just assign rooms for two persons. They also don't care about smoking and non-smoking requests. Even the room they claimed to be a non-smoking had a strong smell of smoke which is no wonder since there wasn't any sign indicating that this should be a non-smoking. Since we insisted on a double room (instead of the twin given), we were moved after the first night. You should know that even their double rooms have two separate beds which are just put together. The rooms vary greatly in size and layout. The blanket and pillows were so thin that even putting the radiator to maximum, we were freezing the whole night and caught a flu (the temperatures outside were below zero degrees centigrade). Another problem was the security of the hotel. Since the entrance was half a floor higher than the reception, you could just walk in and take the elevator to the guest floors without passing at the reception. There were also no in-room safes available. In the showerroom, there was no hairdryer provided and it took me a day until I found out that you could borrow one at reception. However, you will need to place a 10 EUR deposit. The hotel was mostly frequented by travellers in their twenties from all over the world which added to the atmosphere being a bit hostel-like. One nice touch should be mentioned: There is an internet-computer available near the reception which can be used free of charge by hotel guests.
The location is not so central. You will always need a subway (station is nearby) which takes at least 15 minutes to bring you to Alexanderplatz. For those unfamiliar with the Berlin subway system: It is quite complicated. Trains appear dirty and I didn't feel really safe at night. However, since the attractions are spread out widely, you will have difficulties to avoid it anyway. A few nice restaurants (my recommendation: a Thai restaurant called Lemongrass) can be reached within a few minutes of walking around the hotel.
Overall, the hotel is ok for a short city trip, but don't expect anything comfortable as some other reviews suggest. The saying: "You get what you paid for" holds true: Clean and relatively new, but standard budget accommodation.
Berlin is cool!
by TripAdvisor Member yonniestephen
Having just got back from Berlin yesterday, I just had to say something about my experiences. Firstly, the Hotel Agon is modern and clean, with friendly staff. Our room was large and the beds were comfortable. It is very handy for the U Bahn and getting to the city, roughly a 10 minute journey.
The weather was very cold and we did not want to travel too far at night, and lucky for us we found a lovely restaurant just around the corner from the hotel called Leander on Jungstrasse. Well worth a visit, also there is a bar next door, Freddy's Bar which we can highly recommend. He and his barmaid Ulrika are very friendly and made us most welcome.
We found the Germans very friendly and helpful, though I do recommend that you have some knowledge of the language or an English/German dictionary.
Whilst sightseeing we came across a Christmas fair, near to the Berliner Dom. It was magical and ideal for families, words can't describe it, you just have to be there and soak up the atmosphere. Berlin is cool!
Great hotel at a great price
by TripAdvisor Member stuarhy
We found this to be a great hotel in a great location. Ok so it's not slap bang in the middle of the city but then Berlin is a huge city with great transport links. As mentioned by other reviewers it's only 5 stops on the U-Bahn and your at Alexanderplatz, from where you can get a U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Tram or Bus to anywhere in the city.
We found the hotel to be very clean and tidy. Our (standard double) room was nice, big and very warm (which was handy considering the very cold outside temparature). The room facilities were fairly basic and consisted of Double bed, bedside tables with lamps, wardrobe, mirror, chairs and coffee table, and a desk with TV.
The bathroom consisted of a toilet, basin and shower and a mirror.
We didn't have much contact with the staff during our 4 night stay except to check in and out and to drop off/pick up our key but we found them to be friendly.
The breakfast selection was immense although the only warm items were soft/hard boiled and scrambled eggs. It would have been nice to have a toaster availiable.
Overall, at an average price of €53 a night (via ----) i would certainly have no problems in recomending this hotel for any type of traveller and will certainly stay there again when i return to Berlin in the future.
Former reviewes confirmed
by TripAdvisor Member Rune&B
We were a bit worried that this hotel would be far from everything, but there were no reason to worry. It's 200-250 meters to the U-bahn, and in walking distance there are a lot of nice restaurants.
All in all a good hotel with very good value for money.
A lovely hotel
by TripAdvisor Member georgieducky
Stayed in this hotel for 3 nights in December 2005. Found it on Expedia and it seemed to have good reviews and was a good price (I think we paid about £30 a night for a double room). I also liked the fact that it was said to be near a U bahn (underground) station.
Got to Berlin 4.5 hours later than expected, thanks to Easyjet, so arrived in the dark. Did have a few problems finding the hotel at first because it's on one of the roads that runs parallel to where the U-bahn station comes out. But eventually found it and was amazed by how modern and trendy it was. This hotel is beautifully clean and really well looked after.
Our room was a massive double, with quite a large ensuite. The breakfast in the morning was brilliant, enough scope to fulfil anyone's breakfast likes and dislikes - bread, cereal, eggs, yoghurt, omlette, cake, fruit (you get the idea!).
In the day light, the U-bahn was really easy to find, just left, left and left again.
Was also some great little restaurants a short walk from the hotel. We liked the Italian. In fact, we liked it so much that we ate there each night because it was cheap and good food.
So, yes, I would definitely recommend this hotel. Although I would say if you are arriving in the dark (or are travelling with Easyjet and may be delayed for 4.5 hours), make sure you have a little map with you, so you can find the hotel without having to ask for directions.
Forum Posts
Lodgings Help in Berlin
by waterbomb
I am going to spend 3 nights in Berlin during end of Nov. I have shortlisted a few hotels but would appreciate any comments on them:
1. Kima Hotel
2. Agon Frankfurter Allee
3. Agon Franke
4. Agon Lichtburg
5. Hotel Agon Opera
6. Art'otel Berlin City Centre West
7. Quality Hotel Tegel
8. City Pension Berlin
9. Abacus Tierpark
Btw, these hotels should provide heaters in winter, right?
RE: Lodgings Help in Berlin
by zuriga
Just a guess, but I'd figure that most hotels in Berlin have central heating!
