This is a very special place. We had an apartment in the garden, which was very nice. There were steep starirs to climb, but this had been announced by the hotel on beforehand when making the reservation, so that was our own choice. We definitely liked its location: quiet and still close to the lively places. Very much the feeling of a living neigbourhood in the former East Berlin. And of course the garden is magnificent. Also very pleasant are the homely breakfast and breakfast room(s). You have definitely not the feeling of staying in a big hotel.

Stayed here for 4 nights for the Berlin Marathon. The hotel is a nice mix of antique and modern, and the location is great. They have a secure parking facility, and the U-bahn and S-bahn train stations are a block away. S-bahn from here take about 10 minutes to get to Unter der Linden, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the main downtown shopping district. If you want to go across town to Charlottenburg, the Zoo, etc. it takes about another 20 minutes with train changes.
It is also only a ten minute walk from Museum Island, as well as 2 streets (Tor strasse and ??) that were full of restaurants and bars that stayed open with great nightlife until dawn.

My husband and I stayed for three nights in September 2010. The gentleman at the front desk was great helping us navigate the city by public transportation. Our room was small but nice - a little out of the way - but we didn't mind and welcomed the exercise by walking.

overall I enjoyed my stay here. quiet, close to our office, peaceful and chilled out reception. decent but not great value for Berlin, but the breakfast was very good. do spend a few minutes in the garden if you have time, for some reflection/tranquility. I had a room in the garden, which is a modern building so less charm than main building, but still quite nice. one note though - hotel was cash only, so I ended up needing to have 400 in cash to pay for 3 nights stay there! so remember to carry an extra wad of cash if you stay there. do consider dinner at their sister hotel round the corner - pretty cool vibe and good value dinner.