Hotel Pension Bella

A simple family-run pension two blocks south of the Ku'damm, the three-star Hotel-Pension Bella offers clean rooms with mismatched furniture and hardwood floors. When we visited, the whole pension seemed showered in sunlight and friendliness (of course, it was a beautiful day).

The Bella’s nine rooms are not ornate, although most are spacious. Some might say the old-fashioned rooms are simply “old,” but they are clean and do the trick. And we liked their throwback décor, which varies from room to room but might include print wallpaper or floors with large pink and white tiles. Furnishings likewise vary, from the rather sweet to the downright utilitarian.

The services are relatively basic here, but each room offers a television. Five have balconies overlooking Ludwigkirchstrasse.

Some rooms offer a private bathroom, some have a private shower and share a toilet in the hall, and the very cheapest share all facilities. Most bathrooms are comically small, but they do their job. Note, however, that some guests have reported that the plumbing can be quirky (water acts up after flushing the toilet), though this is not unusual in historic buildings.

The Hotel-Pension Bella is far from fancy, but it does provide an option for guests looking to sleep on the cheap with a little-added charm. We were wowed by the old apartment building's gorgeous 19th-century staircase and ornate iron cage elevator.

Breakfast is included in the room rate, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Note that the front desk closes at 6 p.m. Guests who plan to arrive after that time are asked to notify the hotel in advance.