You could be right. The Westin Grand Berlin has some "unusual features":

-It has no garage (the guest's of the DDR government came probably with a driver!?!)
-It has a nice "Berlin Pub", but you can reach the pub only by going on the street and around the corner.

During "Cold War" the hotel was called "Grandhotel Honecker".

In German, but nice photos:
http://www.stern.de/lifestyle/reise/....html?nv=ct_mt

Thank you all so much for your advice. The Westin, Dorint and Hilton are high on my list. The prices are not bad and as you've all said, the location is excellent...close to shops, u-bahn and the #100 bus which sounds like it might be perfect for me...I don't have to climb metro steps. Of course, taxis are a must and being close to sights keeps that cost in line.

Berlin sounds wonderful and I can only hope that the milder winter weather continues. I'll be going in February.

By the way, in NYC by favorite location would be the Plaza Hotel (which is now going to be apartments)...great shops, restaurants, theater and close to the metro.

Thanks again,
June

I am surprised that NYC ist your favorite city with your walking problems. My impression is always that it is totally inconvenient for handicapped people, especially the subway with all its stair and missing escalators:td:

I live in New York and I either drive or take Taxi's to get around. I don't take the subway. You're right, the steps are a big problem.

I just stayed at the Westin last week. The location is excellent for all the major sites.

It is close to the Französische Straße U-Bahn station as someone mentioned. However, it is worth noting that this U-Bahn station (like many others in Berlin) does not have any elevator access.

YES! I love it!
It's cheap (100EUR per night) but my number one!
The design is fantastic and everything is perfect.

Would anyone know if there are any other u bahn stations near the Westin which might have an elevator or escaltor?

I'm thinking that the 100 or 200 bus will be the easiest mode of transportation for me, am I wrong?

The U-Bahn Line # 6 station whose entrance is just outside the Westin's entrance, Franziosestrasse (sp?) does not, as noted above, have either elevator or escalator.

The next U6 station to the south, Stadtmitte, does have an elevator, IIRC, but I don't remember exactly where the elevator entrance is in relation to the Westin. If memory serves, the elevator entrance is situated on a pedestrian island in the mddle of Friedrichstrasse itself.

Three north of the Westin are the Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn (above ground) and U-Bahn (underground) stations. I know for sure that the S-Banh has elevators, as my luggage and I rode in one a couple of months ago :) I don't remember whether the U-Bahn station has elevators.

Corrections to the above is sought and appreciated.

U Friedrichstrasse has an elevator, as well as U Stadtmitte.

One escalator of U Stadtmitte is at Friedrich-/Mohrenstrasse, not far from the Hilton.

Is the Freidrichstrass station far from the Westin?
I really appreciate the information that you guys have. It is extremely helpful for me and greatly reduces my anxiety.

Any restaurant suggestions in the area?

Thanks again.

Not at all...maybe a three minute walk.

The U-Bahn, S-Bahn is about 400 Meters away.

Here is a map http://www.berlin.de/stadtplan/map.asp?size=3x3

The Westin has a pub, the entrance is at Friedrich Str. There are some nice restaurants nearby and at Gendarmen Markt, which is not very far.

Keep in mind: The Westin is a very nice hotel, which was built during "East German Time"....as a palace for the top East Germans, for diplomats, presidents, kings from foreign countries. They all came by chauffeur driven limos (black Volvos). The hotel has no garage ... and I am not sure if it is well equipped for people with disabilities, but it very well could be, I just don't know.
Generally, this area (Mitte) is ideal to discover Berlin. Have a great time.

Sorry, my mistake. This thread is talking about the Westin, and I was talking about the Hilton, a bit confusing for me as these 2 hotels are not far away from each other. The nearest U-Bahn entrance from the Westin with elevator would be U Stadtmitte on the crossing of Friedrichstrasse/Leipziger Strasse, a few blocks away.

Not a palace, it was just a regular hotel, with the average east german not allowed to enter. :)

Thank you very much for that info. Any suggestions for restaurants near the Westin?