Indian-friendly hotels in Berlin?

mazha

Hi all,

Anyone here know of any Indian-friendly hotels/hostels in Berlin? I understand that some areas of Berlin can be a bit risky for Indians, so some advice on that would also be helpful.

Thanks!

machadinha

Hmm... I think if you stay downtown and in the regular touristed areas you should be fine really.

It's true that Germany (but not just that country in Europe) and Berlin has an issue with neo-nazis (often but not at all necessarily skinheads -- to further confound the matter, a skinhead might as well be an anti-fascist) but it's hardly like they're all over the place, and you'd need to be very unlucky to run into them, let alone into trouble with them. Also, downtown they probably wouldn't dare to make a move anyway, and they can't go around beating up people of color all day long after all, of which Berlin like any big city has many. Downtown, they'd probably get beaten right out of the street themselves if they tried anything.

You might just want to be a little wary of wandering off into some gloomy highrise suburbs, that you'd have little reason to visit anyway. Ditto of entering some dodgy-looking pub. If it doesn't feel right, presume it isn't and retrace your steps.

I've been to Germany (and Berlin) often and it's never been a problem to me, although friends have been (severely) beaten up, it's true. They lived there though, I mean what are the odds, and by far many more friends have never had any trouble. (And my problem, other than some of those friends, would be less one of skin color, but more that I used to be quite visibly not in agreement with such people, so to speak. And I have had to leave pubs because of it, simply because it was clear you were not welcome. Hey, stuff happens. What's nasty of course is that in contrast to one's looks, one's skin color one doesn't choose.) (I'm reminded now of this one place, not in Berlin btw, where we sat down for coffee and were told "Keine Hunde!" -- No dogs! It was clear enough that the dogs were us, whereas our dogs were just the excuse. Oh well.)

Hotels or at least downtown again should likewise not be a problem I think. A nice and highly multi-ethnic and central area is Kreuzberg, you might look for something here. It's sort of like the local quartier latin, although I understand it's been pretty yuppified by now, I haven't been for a while. Should still be nice though. It's also traditionally a leftist activist area, so between them and the local Turkish etc. population, no nazi idiot would try to make a move here I think.

I think Prenzlauer Berg (formerly East Berlin, it's not far from Kreuzberg) is another popular and vibrant artistic and "alternative"-type area, maybe even more so than Kreuzberg today, said to have some nice staying options too I believe. Mind you, if that scene is not your thing, you might find these areas a little too wild or run-down, it depends what you're after.

Finally, it's really a nice and happening mega-city with cafes and museums and art galleries and night clubs and parks and stuff galore, so mostly just go and enjoy yourself Well, maybe a Berlin member will be in with the low-down. I reckon the chance of being mugged in some North American city would be far greater to be honest, and I'm sure one can run into racist idiots there. Don't worry about it too much, maybe keep your eyes half open. Chances are far greater you'll never notice any of this, really.

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mr_rush

http://www.parkplaza.com/berlinde_wallstrasse

I stayed here a couple of months back and it was a great place, very centrally located, could walk to most points of interest.

KABAARY

I didn't find anything risky in Berlin as far as Indians are concerned but maybe I didn't go to the seedier parts - I don't know. If general hotspots are to be used as a yardstick, I had no issues in pubs, etc. or on a general walkabout late at night in Ku"Damm...if at all, I thought the guys in a Turkish restaurant I went to were a bit frosty but that changed when they saw the tip...was also not greatly enthused when a waiter in an Italian joint patted me and yelled "Shahrukh Khan" ! (I mean, I am good looking unlike him).

Hotel Movenpick (walking distance to Potsdammer Platz) was nice -good friendly service, well connected....and the breakfast is excellent !

nayan

I visited berlin in Feb 2006 and stayed in the below hostel.
http://www.hostelworld.com/availabil...l-Berlin-13636
Tts near ZOO station (west berlin).
we were two girls travelling (one Indian and one chinese).... we did not have any problem here or in any other place in Berlin.

federica

Don't be scared, I guess Berlin is the least dangerous city in Eastern Germany.

I have foreign friends who studied several years in other Eastern German cities and even they didn't have any problems.

Nasty incidents happen, but fortunately not often. They get big media coverage, as more than 90 % of the Germans feel very ashamed about these things done by a few stupid drunk idiots.

Berlin was famous for decades for being one of the most tolerant cities in Germany, so go and enjoy your trip

Take a bus ride on line No. 100, it leads you to a lot of famous sites. And see the Bundestag. And Prenzlauer Berg as machadinha mentioned before.

The_Londoner

You will find most hotels in Germany and most of Europe "Indian friendly". I travel to Germany often and have never had any problem with people, or their businesses. Of course you'll have one out of tens of thousands that will have had bad experience.

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The_Londoner

I couldn't agree more.. What you read in media, take it as a pinch of salt. Incidents happen throughout the World, but you'll find most of Europe very welcoming and tolerant to other cultures and races. Enjoy your trip.. Berlin has so much to offer.

mazha

Thanks a bunch for all the replies and the hotel links, I will file a report after the trip.

I think the media only reports the serious cases, I've heard of many instances where Indian researchers were intimidated by skinheads, following them home, blocking their way etc. Happens more in the smaller cities. Berlin is considered better, though not entirely welcoming. As much as Canada is, for instance. The advice about sticking to the touristy places makes sense!

capt_mahajan

Aside and slightly offtopic: About a decade or two ago, two of us (Indians) wandered into a skinhead bar in Brake (or Bremen, can't recall) by mistake in a quiet neighbourhood.

After their initial surprise, and our horror, and my refusal to listen to my friend and walk out of there without a drink, we had a pretty good time- the whole episode became a joke to all present there.

I would prefer an honest skinhead from that bar to a closet racist any day.

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The_Londoner

How true.. great story.

Racism exists everywhere in the World in one form or another. Unfortunately Germany does have this image that is far far from reality.

Mazha, enjoy your trip and few German beers. I'm sure you'll have nothing but positive experience.