If I can tack onto this thread: Mr. tm478 and I will be in Berlin from Aug 6-10. This is our first trip to the city, and I am getting seriously overwhelmed with the number of hotels available (TripAdvisor rates no less than 617 hotels and 80 B&Bs!). I am looking to spend somewhere in the USD 80-120/night range (EUR 60-85), which looks entirely do-able from my initial searches of booking engines.

What I would love to have some guidance on is neighborhoods. We are more into the artsy areas vs. "tourist central"--as long as there is public transport within a few minutes' walk. For example, in Amsterdam we were very happy in Jordaan. Funkiness is good, as is cool architecture. Quiet is also a major plus (I'm happy with a quiet street a block or two from a more thriving main drag).

billp's suggestions of Prenzlauer Berg sounds like a winner--are there any other similar neighborhoods? I am really clueless (haven't even gotten a map yet) so I will take your suggestions, cross-reference w/TripAdvisor, and maybe come back for a final recommendation!