Ibis chain in Berlin
 

I'm looking for inexpensive but clean and safe hotel. I typically use Priceline but I've read a few reviews about bed bugs from Berlin hotels that participate in Priceline and I want nothing to do with bed bugs. We're doing our best to avoid them here in New York!

So what about the Ibis chain? Are they clean? I've read about a new Ibis opening June 1: IBIS BUDGET BERLIN KURFUERSTENDAMM. Is that a good area in terms of having cafés, restaurants, supermarkets and the like? Also, I will be in Berlin toward the end of August and air conditioning is a must. I'm hoping this new hotel will indeed have working and strong a/c. Reviews of other hotel chains make it sounds like A/C isn't always available.

So....what's everyone's take on Ibis? For those of you in Berlin, what do you think of this new property? When new Ibis hotels open, are they typically good? Typically clean? Thanks for any input.

I've stayed in an Ibis or two and they were fine. They're no Hilton but if you just want a bed they fit the bill. I have never had a problem with bedbugs in any hotel I've stayed at.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area. Whether they are the kind you like, I cannot say.

Enjoy Berlin!

I think that the Ibis hotel you're referring to is at the Wittenbergplatz next to a Kaisers supermarket. It is at the tailend (or start) of the Ku'damm, near the KaDeWe department store. There is a U-Bahn station there with a few subway lines that run through it. It is a pretty safe and high pedestrian traffic area of the city.

I would also go to the IHG website because a lot of times advance purchase rates for their properties in the city are priced around 60 Euros per night. I have found Ibis hotel rooms to be very basic. But at least this one should be pretty clean since it is new.

Be aware that Ibis budget is the new name for Etap hotels. Don't compare them with the regular Ibis brand. Etap hotels while clean and safe they are marketed to the very low cost traveler with no frills what so ever. I think they even just have a check-in machine where you collect your key by swiping your credit card instead of a regular reception.

You can even get the IC in that range in summer....

So I'm seeing with various Holiday Inns. I think from what I'm reading above, I'll skip the Ibis if I can do better.

I've stayed at the ibis styles Berlin Mitte in Rosenthaler Platz. As others have said, basic but clean, can get good deals with you book non-refundable rates >30 days in advance.

Yeah. I was shocked when they loaded the 2-4-1 rates in their system. But wasn't it just done for July? Analise is going at the end of August.

I just want to repeat caspritz78's warning before it gets lost in the noise: Ibis Budget is not comparable with Ibis (or Ibis Styles)!!!

While I will happily stay at most Ibis hotels for a week, Ibis Budget (indeed the former Etap) is something I will only consider if I have no other solution and when traveling on my own dime.

and I only need a bed for one night!

So if it says Ibis Budget, it's not the same reliable quality as the regular Ibis even if it's brand new. Good to know.

Update
 

The warnings about the Ibis Budget I took to heart. Thank you. I actually used Priceline and got the Kempinksi Bristol Berlin for $69/night. Online reviews seem mixed but I'll take a 5* hotel for that rate. Hopefully, the rooms are indeed air conditioned (I love a cool room). The website says they have free wireless access in the rooms; the reviews say the online access is slow and expensive. I believe the latter so I'll log on elsewhere. I have questions about the property but I'll start another thread later.

The Ibis budget quality is okay but at a different and lower level. It is clean, functional but that's it.

We stayed at Ibis Budget in Berlin (Potsdamer Platz) and in Dresden and we'll stay with them again.

We passed on breakfast because there are too many less expensive options readily available. Rooms were very new and clean, small by US standards, TV (we never turned it on) and no phone, checkin staff were great, particularly in Berlin - absolutely above and beyond, and there were two free internet terminals in the lobby in Berlin (didn't even look in Dresden).

We booked well in advance. We ruled out hostels because our only options were 10-bed mixed dorms or private rooms that were within a couple euros of Ibis in price.

YMMV. We don't ask much of a room and Ibis Budget met all our requirements in these two cities. The $ we saved went on entertainment (we do not skimp on entertainment!) and meals.