First Timer in Berlin

To start with, I'll clarify by saying I stayed at the Grand Hyatt using hotel points. However, I have since found out it ranks along with the Ritz Carlton (across the road in Potsdamer Platz) as one of the 5-star hotels in Berlin.

The decor is ultra modern and the hotel is brightly light. Check in was very smooth and the clerk took the time to walk us around the hotel and to our room, pointing out the various amenities. She was very friendly yet professional, and her effort was appreciated.

The room itself was quite nice. The best aspect was the brightly lit, walk-in shower area. The bathroom itself has a small LCD monitor which is in sync with the TV in the bedroom, so you don't have to miss your favorite show or movie even if you're in the bathroom. If you have access to the Grand Lounge, complimentary breakfast is provided with a variety of juice and coffee. The lounge is also open until the evening for non alcoholic drinks.

The hotel is located in Potsdamer Platz, one of the areas which has been redeveloped since Germany was reunified. Across the road is the Sony Center which is worth checking out for its architecture. It is a 5-minute walk from Potsdamer Platz U-bahn/S-bahn station, and is also within walking distance (about 20 minutes) to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.

Tips: There is free Internet at this hotel. It is located to the left of the front desk, where 3 desktops are available for browsing.

We found out about Brewer's free walking tour from the Lonely Planet and opted for the 4-hour tour, which was probably the right duration. There is another walking tour which is 8 hours long, but in winter, 4 hours is the way to go. We met up with a guide at Friedrichstrasse station, who picked up a few other tourists before meeting up with the main guide, Sylvia. She's a great communicator who speaks great English (she's French Canadian) and was very enthusiastic about Berlin's history (she majored in history). Unlike some other tour guides, she mixes facts with humor to keep things interesting. She also took time from the beginning to explain the history of Germany and Berlin, from the rise of the Nazis to the allies victory that resulted in a divided Berlin and Germany. This was very well done and she got her point across by drawing a map of Berlin and Germany and how Berlin was really divided by the Berlin Wall. The pace was quick but we had time for a restroom break, but not enough time for photos. We were shown most of the landmark sites, and time flew by very quickly. The "fee" is based on voluntary tipping at tour's end and the amount is up to you. Highly recommended and thank you Sylvia!

My friend found out about this nightspot from a TV program in Australia. When we asked the hotel concierge about it, he said it is mainly for people "in the know," or locals because not many people know about it. With this in mind, we headed off thinking we were in for a treat. My friend mentioned this nightspot is quite off beat, with porn pictures in the men's toilet.

There is a cover charge (I think it was 5 euros) and after navigating through the club, we ended up finding a table in the basement where we were told a "snake lady" would be performing soon (this was about 10pm). After a few drinks (beers are about 3-4 euros) and checking out the clubbers (most of them are quite normal looking), the snake lady showed up. The show is nothing to write home about, and we left shortly afterwards. If you're expecting something outrageous then you'll be disappointed, otherwise it's a perfectly acceptable nightclub.