Hotel Agon Am Alexanderplatz

AGO TO AGON ALEXANDERPLATZ

Hotel Agon Am Alexanderplatz is NOT on Alexanderplatz - in spite of the name, and there is a difference.

The first difference is location; this is not the elegance and liveliness of the main square of Alexanderplatz, but instead a slightly run-down district of former East Berlin still very much in its East German era, with little elegance or refurbishment.

The second difference is PRICE, we paid 62 Euros a night (40quid in British) for a double-suite and I think that is FANTASTIC value. Incidentally "Lastminute.Com" wanted 62POUNDS for the same booking - do they think we British are too stupid to know the difference between a Euro and a Pound?

We walked from the Alexanderplatz S-Bahn to this hotel, so its location was not a problem. Far easier is the Tram, the M6 stops outside the Hotel in Otto Braunstrasse, but the M4 and M5 trams also stop outside on Mollstrasse (2 stops frm S and U Alexanderplatz. On the north side of Otto Braunstrasse (diagonally across from the hotel) you can catch buses 100, 200, and TXL which will run to Brandenburger Tor and Unter Den Linden.

So whilst the hotel is not located as well as its address suggests, in fact it is a good location and is a good price. For 62Euros I would give this 5stars, but in the context of all Berlin Hotels then it is a very good 3Stars.

Unique Quality: The hotel is not elegant, but nor is is untidy or run-down. Our room was a suite comprising: an ante-room with warddrobes, shelves, mirror, space to put cases, prams, bicycles. A shower/toilet room (no bath, no bidet), with all plumbing fully working and kept clean everyday, and heated.

Then through an inner door into the main room which was about 5metres x 5metres and comprised two generous single beds, a large desk/shelf on one wall with some drawers underneath, a lounge area with 2 chairs and table and wall-mounted TV (only the ghastly CNN as an English Language Channel). There was also a kitchenette with sink, twin hot rings, cupboards and shelves - everything to cook a meal, but no fridge, no pans, crockery or utensils. Then there was a full width balcony overlooking the noisy Mollstrasse - those Trams run ALL Night long! We kept our milk and food on the balcony as this was like a fridge in the December air. The room was generously heated, and we were able to control this. I cannot say if there was air-conditioning in the room, so summer occupation may be difficult

Our room rate included buffet breakfast, and whilst this doesn't sound very hearty, in fact it was large. Hot Scrambled eggs and sausages, also hard-boiled eggs. Masses of cold meats, cheeses, salads, fruits, yoghurts, juices, teas, coffees, cereals, milks, cakes, breads ...