All in Place at Motel One

Well, due incredible foresight during negotiations with Motel One last year, it seems that the hotel is holding rooms for the G Summit Group

So even if the hotel is fully booked, there are still rooms for participants from the G Summit Group. All participants so far are, in other words, staying at Motel One.

What a grand result

To see who is attending go here.

Counting Down to Berlin

Well, I just had a quick tour to Berlin once again. My second time now, but not the last - by far.

Still good shooting there even if the shots below are made with a Canon 40 D. I am sure that any Contax G will do much better. You should move in and book your room now.

If you book at Motel One, please make sure that get a room away from the S-bahn tracks that are passing. I will do that for my own room reservation.

Or simply book another hotel in the area, and let the rest of us know.  

The shots are from Olympic Stadium, that you should visit. It is not far from the K-damm if you take the S-Bahn. 10 to 15 minutes at most and with good shooting opportunities. It is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. It takes 75.000 people, and with the Hologon you could have all in one single shot :-).

Famous for its 1936 Olympics, but rebuild. It is very impressive. 

 

 

Basicly, now it is up to you.

All I can’t see what more I can do right now. It’s basicly up to you from now on .If you’re keen on going to Berlin for The G Summit 2008, June 21 to 24, you should simply book a room at a hotel. This could be at one of the hotels visited by me and suggested here on the blog, or at a hotel of your own choice.

Just a short sum up:

Motel One: Use this email address to book at Motel One:  berlin-kudamm@motel-one.com. Booking code word is “Photo Summit“. (I have booked at this hotel, and already have my confirmation.  At this stage they don’t ask for your credit card number, they simply take your reservation. Buffet breakfast is included in the price. See the details of the confirmation here).

Hotel Ansbach:Use this email adress to book at Hotel Ansbach: info@hotel-ansbach.de The code word is “Norwegian Bear”.

Hotel Air:Use this email address to book at Hotel Air: marketing@hotelairinberlin.de. Be aware, that you probably will get better prices if you book the hotel directly from the hotel website. You’ll find prices and more info about the hotels in the posts below. If I can be of any assistance with anything, please let me know, and I’ll do my best.

When you have booked, please let the rest of the group know by dropping a few words at the Hotel Booking Page.

Good luck with it .

Best wishes

Knut

By the way, if you have some spare time please pass by my new blog on communication. It’s called barebones communication. Go find out why. Here is how you navigate it. Lots of good stuff in there already, and some pictures. The blog is going to be quite extensive. You will do me a great favor if you pass the link around to people you know that might be interested. Thanks. 

    

Take a Couple of Days …

All

As you can see I have just posted the final prices from all the hotels in question. Two of the hotels have now reference codes, and you need to book by email to the hotels using these codes to be identified as one of The G  Summit Group.

Prices have changed a bit since I am in no position to garantee the number of participants at the summut next year. Take a last look at the hotels and the prices.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this blog much from Tuesday next week, since I need to go on a business trip (yes, I do have a regular job as well) .

Take a couple of days and make up your minds about which hotel you prefer.

I have reserved a room for myself at Motel One using this address: berlin-kudamm@motel-one.com, and the codeword “Photo Summit“.

Best wishes

Knut

Emails and Final Prices from Motel One

 Emails and Final Prices from Motel One. As you can see, the motel has increased their prices

……………………………………………………………

Dear Knut,

the code word is “Photo Summit”. All reservations should be done by indicating this code word. Following prices will be granted: 

• 65,50 € for the single room
• 72 € for the double room  

Many greetings from Berlin, Daniel Sie werden uns lieben!Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Daniel Müller
Direktor Motel One Management GmbH
Motel One Berlin Ku-Damm
Kantstrasse 7-11A
D-10623 Berlin
Telefon: +49 (0) 30 - 31517 360
Fax: +49 (0) 30 - 31517 3610
Mobil: +49 177 88 12825
damueller@motel-one.com  Viel Großstadtflair für wenig Geld…Im Herzen von Berlin, Zoo / Gedächtniskirche / Ku’Damm / KaDeW  bequem zu Fuß erreichbar  

---

Von: Knut Skjærven [mailto:knutskjaerven@mail.tele.dk]
Gesendet: Dienstag, 4. September 2007 18:45
An: ‘Daniel Müller Direktion Motel One Berlin Ku-Damm’
Betreff: SV: Photo Summit in Berlin, June 21-24, 2008.
Wichtigkeit: Hoch 

Hi Daniel Do I hear from you regarding the code word? Best wishes Knut 

---

Fra: Knut Skjærven [mailto:knutskjaerven@mail.tele.dk]
Sendt: 1. september 2007 13:18
Til: ‘Daniel Müller Direktion Motel One Berlin Ku-Damm’
Cc: ‘Knut Skjærven’
Emne: SV: Photo Summit in Berlin, June 21-24, 2008.
Prioritet: HøjDear Daniel Thank you for the pleasent conversation we just had.  As I understand it you have confirmed the price for double rooms at Euro 59 per room - without breakfast.  The booking period will be appox June 21 to June 24 or 25, 2008. Some may decide to stay an extra day or two depending on their travel plans. Some come from the US. I am not quite sure about the number of people, that will attend this event next year. The price of the hotel is an influential factor, and your prices for double rooms are very good. There may come 5 people or there might come 15 people or even more.  The code word could be “G Summit 2008″, and all the people will book by sending an email to your hotel at this email address: berlin-kudamm@motel-one.com giving the code name “G Summit 2008″ in the headline of the email. If you prefer another code word or number, please let me know. I am really looking forward to this. Hope to hear from you soon. 

Best wishes

Knut Skjærven

CopenhagenDenmark 

Email and Final Prices from Hotel Air

 Email and Final Prices from Hotel Air

————————————————————————– 

Dear Mr Skjaerven, it’s right that our rate for the individuals arriving in this period is as you have mentioned.But as you’re a goup, we’re offering you our group rates. We’re sorry, but it’s normal that a group has different rates as people booking just one or a few rooms.As my colleague already told you, it would be for a double 104€ per room per night and for a single 91€ p.r.p.n.

I hope you appreciate it, we would enjoy to welcome you in june!

We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Kind regards

Ramona Kablaoui

Hotel Air in Berlin

Ansbacher Strasse 6

10787 Berlin

Tel:+49(0)30 21299214

Fax:+49(0)30 21299234

marketing@hotelairinberlin.de

www.hotelairinberlin.de

Emails and Final Prices from Hotel Ansbach

 Email correspondence and Final Prices: Hotel Ansbach.

——————————————————————————— 

OK.It may be as KONTINGENT BOOKING: the group members will book directly with code word that is” Norwegian Bear“, and then we instruct them in which way you will have their payment . But we can’t guarantee that we keep the room (s) free for you until we get booking confirmation, credit card details or deposit pay.The last date for this booking at these price is 01.03.2008Best regards Your Hotel Ansbach Ansbacher Straße 4 10787 BerlinTel. 030/21 90 990Fax: 030/21 47 51 47www.city-hotel-ansbach.de 

---

Von: Knut Skjærven [mailto:knutskjaerven@mail.tele.dk]
Gesendet: Sonntag, 12. August 2007 14:13
An: ‘Hotel Ansbach’
Betreff: SV: Hotelangebot 

Hello This is perfectly fine, could we do it this way. The group members will book directly with you on email giving a code word that is” Norwegian Bear”, and then you can instruct them in which way you will have their payment and at what time? When is the last date for this booking at these prices? Best wishesKnut 

---

Fra: Hotel Ansbach [mailto:info@hotel-ansbach.de]
Sendt: 12. august 2007 11:44
Til: ‘Knut Skjærven’
Emne: AW: HotelangebotDear Mr. Knut Skjærven,than you have to make deposit 30% of total amount to our bank till 21.03.2008.Sorry, but it is the best price, what we can offer you.Best regards

City-Hotel-Ansbach

---

Von: Knut Skjærven [mailto:knutskjaerven@mail.tele.dk]
Gesendet: Sonntag, 12. August 2007 09:31
An: ‘Hotel Ansbach’
Betreff: SV: Hotelangebot 

Hello The rooms will not be paid by me, but the individuals that book directly with you. Would that be ok? I also need to know if there will be any price difference if less than 10 people order rooms with you? Best wishes 

Knut Skjærven

---

Fra: Hotel Ansbach [mailto:info@hotel-ansbach.de]
Sendt: 11. august 2007 13:46
Til: ‘Knut Skjærven’
Emne: HotelangebotDear Mr. Skjarven, thank you for your request, we offer you booking (for your small group) in our hotel Ansbach as follows : 

10 single rooms with shower & toilet in the room for 55,00 EUR per room/night + Internet connection (WLAN) 

arrival:  21.06.2008               departure:  24.06.2007                    nights: 3 All rates include buffet breakfast as well as 19% VAT. 

We thank you for your interest and should you require any further information please contact us at your convenience.Anyway we can’t guarantee that we keep the room (s) free for you until we get your booking confirmation with your address, Tel number and  credit card details. You can use our breakfast room after 12 o’clock (breakfast time: 7-10 a.m) and in the evening!

Best regards

Your Hotel Ansbach Ansbacher Straße 4 10787 BerlinTel. 030/21 90 990Fax: 030/21 47 51 47

www.city-hotel-ansbach.de

---

Von: Knut Skjærven [mailto:knutskjaerven@mail.tele.dk]
Gesendet: Samstag, 11. August 2007 13:25
An: info@hotel-ansbach.de
Betreff: Room June 21 - 24, 2008 

Hello there 

I just visited your hotel, and had the chance to look at a couple of your rooms. Those were very fine. I have some questions: 

For the periode June 21 to June 24, 2008 I need about 10 single rooms. Alle with separate bathrooms. What will the group price for this be?  

And also: Would be be possible to use your breakfast room for short meeting in that periode. Are there internet connections at the hotel? 

I am looking forward to your answer. 

best wishes 

Knut Skjærven

knut@skjaerven.com

While we wait

While we still wait for the code from Motel One (I called them earlier today), I must entertain you with two more images from Potsdamer Platz . Both shot with my G2, and the Hologon 16 mm, August 4, 2007. Provia 100F. Please notice, that Hotel Air has confirmed the higher prices for group reservations. I thought that was a mistake. But it was not.

 

 

Hotel Final Suggestion - Motel One

All

After much effort, I have finally received an answer from Hotel Air (see mail as comment to this post).

If you go to their website and try to book a room for the period in question you will see prices in the span of Euro 66 to Euro 73 for a single room. In the group offer they have mailed me, they have raised the price to Euro 91 for a single room, and even added Euro 9 for the breakfast. I called them up, and even if the boss wasn’t there, the explanation was that there is only one or two rooms in the hotel at the prices given on the net.

Given this fact, my suggestion is that you choose Motel One, after carefully reviewing the pros and cons of this hotel. As I see it, Motel One, it the best solution all taken into consideration.  That it, if you want to go (stay) with the group at all. Maybe you prefer to find your own hotel in the area.

I have just put down my telephone after a long talk to the manager of Motel One, Daniel Müller, and he has confirmed that we can have double rooms at Euro 59.00, but obviously we cannot book at these prices over the hotel website. I am now waiting for his confirmation on a codeword, and booking will have to be made by email directly to the hotel. In other words; you should not book at the hotel website unless you insist on a single room or higher prices.

This is, IMO, a very, very good price at the lowest level of a single room at the same hotel. So, you will have to live with some extra space for you camera gear .

In addition; the people at Motel One are very, very friendly and serviceminded.

Beware, there is a catch to these prices. I have said that this group is a group of eminent photographers, and while we are there, we will shoot some pictures from his hotel for him to use. I hope this is ok with you .

Stay tuned.

Best wishes

Knut

————————-

A few shots from Motel One (Canon).

          

Here we go then :-) .

All

Here we go then .

I am sure that everybody by now knows,  that I went to Berlin to check out some basics. So here is my final suggestions based on that trip, but first let me do a short sum up.

The Polls

I have used the polls as a kind of group briefing. Most people have wanted a light program or no program at all. Concerning accommodation, people have stated that it would be ok to stay in the same area of town, and not necessarily at the same hotel.

I hope my suggestions later on will reflect both these lines of wishes.

Hotel Criteria

As this project grew, I found that we did no only need some beds to sleep in, but a basic criteria was that the hotel also has some areas that we could use for discussions, short meeting, showing and discussing prints, and other social stuff. Hotel am Scheunenviertel did not have these facilities, so I dropped the idea of recommending this hotel as the preferred hotel, and Mitte as the preferred area to stay in.

Charlotteburg as Base Camp Area

When booking the preview trip to Berlin, I did not really care where the travel agency had me stay. I was so late in deciding this trip, that I had to take what I could get. So, I ended up in a small hotel, Hotel Air,  in the Kurfurstendamm area, which is the center of the old West Berlin.

I fould this area to be excellent both in terms of transportation to other parts of Berlin, and in terms of facilities in the area. Transportation both by bus and by U-bahn is very, very good. And it takes no time at all. With U-bahn (Underground) to Mitte is takes  less than 10 minute. With bus a bit longer.

Choosing Hotel

When choosing hotel, I suggest you find any hotel the Charlottenburg area that fits your special needs and wishes, and your purse. You could do that by searching the Internet, or by talking to you travel agency.

If, you don’t want to bother with that,  you could link in to my hotel suggestions. Below is the hotels, links to these hotels, and the most obvious pros and cons. All these hotels are within 1 km radius, and all are centrally places in the Kurfürstendamm area.

Hotel Air

Older hotel very centrally situated in the area. About 200 meter from one of the main entrances to Berlin Zoo. Very efficient in terms of waking distance to bus and U-bahn. This is a 2 star hotel. Good breakfast, that is included in the price. Areas at the hotel, that meets our demands for social activites. Small patio. Charming hotel. Internet access in all rooms, but you have to pay for that separately.

Cons: No air-condition, and if it is hot in Berlin the rooms can get very hot (just open the window, as I did). The bar is very small, and an extention of the reception desk. Limited number of choices (no real bar in fact).

I have written to the hotel to get permission to use their facilities for our more social business, but they have not answered me yet, but I foresee no problems. I will follow up on this issue. No group price is possible at this hotel.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rate this hotel 6.  The hotel is in Ansbacherstrasse. Quiet strasse. For this hotel, you book online.

City Hotel Ansbach

The hotel next door in the same street.  They offered rooms as low as Euro 39 a night, so I had a chat with them. This hotel is, what they call a standard hotel with no stars. The reason for this is that they have rooms both with private bathrooms, and rooms without separate bathroom (shared bathrooms on the same floor).

I had a look at two double rooms with private bathrooms, and they were perfectly ok. Same standard as Hotel Air. I also checked some of the “shared” bathroom, and they were fine as well. I think, this hotel share the patio with Hotel Air.

The hotel is not as charming as Hotel Air.  I did not visit any of the single rooms, but expect them to be very small and with no air condition. Internet Access from the hotel? I really don’t know, but I would think so.

Cons: I did now see any bar, but they have a breakfast room, that we have permission to use after 12.00 p.m . I have negotiated 10 single rooms all with private bathrooms at Euro 55 a night (that is down from Euro 69). If you should want to live in this hotel you need to send an email to the hotel using the “code word”: “Norwegian Bear”, to be recognised as a member of the G Summit Group.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rate this hotel 5.   The hotel is in Ansbacherstrasse. Quiet strasse.

See mail from this hotel, as comment to this post.

If you want to book at this hotel you send an email to this address: Hotel Ansbach [info@hotel-ansbach.de] , and use the code “Norwegian Bear” . The hotel staff will instruct you how to proceed.

Motel One

My first day in Berlin, I wanted to locate where I could get some films. Nearest place was in Europa Center about 100 meters away from my hotel. However, they did not have professional films like e.g. Provia. A kind lady sent me walking 15 minutes down Kurfürstendamm to a professional store. And what a professional store .They even had a couple of really old Contax’ for me to look at. I got Provia there, and lots of other stuff to investigate. Provia 100 in Germany is about Euro 7 a piece, and Provia 400 about Euro 8 a piece.

On my way back looking for The Newton Stiftung (Newton Museum),  I strolled down Kantstrasse towards the Zoo. In Kantstrasse I stumbled over this large, 250 room, brand new hotel/motel, and went in to have a chat there as well.

I talked to the receptionist and asked for permission to see a room and take some shots. He wasn’t quite sure, but the hotel manager, Daniel Müller, was there, so I had a chat with him. Very friendly man. No problem with seeing the rooms, and he was glad if I would take some shots of the fine lobby, because he needed some . True story.

This hotel/motel is brand new, high standard rooms, all airconditioned, a great open and light lobby and space for us to work in. In a later mail, I asked Daniel Müller, if we could use the lobby for short meetings, and he answered that he would even arrange the chairs for us.

The hotel has s nice, but small bar in the lobby, and the whole feel of the place was very good. And all people very friendly.  Internet access from the lobby area is free, but from the rooms you need to pay.

But there is some cons: Kantstrasse is a main street, so expect some traffic at all hours. One corner of the hotel/motel is MUCH too close to the U-bahn track. So if you want to book here, make sure that you get a room away from the street, and that particular corner. On the other hand, all rooms, are airconditioned, so you don’t need to sleep with an open window if it gets hot in Berlin.

Prices for a single room go as low as Euro 59.00 a nicht. Double room Euro 74.00, but you need to check the Internet for the actual price in the Summit period (btw, this goes for all hotels). Breakfast is not included, but come as low as Euro 5.00.

I tried to negotiate a group price for 10 single rooms, but had no luck with that .

On the scale, I rate this hotel/motel 7.

(If you want to book at this hotel/motel, make sure you book at the right one. There are 3 Motel One’s in Berlin. You should book at the one at K-damm, The link above takes you directly there). For this hotel, you book online.

See mail from this hotel, as comment to this post.

What you should know!

While in Berlin I had a small, Dahish travel agency, owned by a Berliner, and with Berlin as his speciality, working on accommodations in Berlin for us. When I came back there was an email.  I had asked the owner of the agency, please, to come up with good suggestions for hotels, and good group prices. He came up with very few hotels, but we needed to book collectively almost at once. I asked him why.

The agency owner had been in contact with 45 hotels in Berlin, but only a few could give us 10 to 15 single rooms. It seem, that we collide with a couple of large conferences in Berlin, so many hotel are already book in that period.

I suggest, therefore, that you make reservations at the hotel of your choice as soon as possible (you can always cancel your reservation at a later date, if necessary).

I am sure that, that you will find accommodation even if you wait with your reservation till a later date, but you might find yourself staying at a hotel at the outskirts of Berlin.

Base Camp Bar

If you have been out shooting all day, and are really tired, want a drink and a chat with some fellow G Shooters, you go to Gecco Bar in Rankestasse 3 at K-damm. This is a small, nice and modern bar in the center of it all, but away from the main streets.  Latte Machiato Euro 2.80, Evian Euro 2.10 and small bier Euro 2.30.

In Berlin, at some places, don’t be surpriced if water and coffee are as expensive as bier (read: inexpensive). Berlin is really not an expensive city.

To Sum Up

Base Camp Area is suggested to be the Kurfürstendamm area in the Charlottenburg district.

Charlotteburg is a very good area to stay in. It’s the center of the old West-Berlin, and has every fascility you can dream of. Public transportation to other parts of the city is absolutely now problem by bus, by U-bahn or by train.

Search the Internet and book any hotel in that area, or choose one of the suggested hotels mentioned above. Anyway you choose to do, you will be fine  . Please note my pros and cons of each hotel.

Good luck with it. When you have booked your hotel, please let the rest of us know where you are staying, by posting a comment to this blog page. 

If you have questions, that you think I can help you with, please let me have them .

Best wishes

Knut

Pls. anticipate some minor revistions to this post in the next couple of days. I will bring in a fourth low price hotel in the area very soon. Please use the links and check the hotels suggested.

Pls. remember that if you find different information and prices, when you search the hotels, from what I have stated in this post, the hotels are always right . If you are an early bird booker, you might get different (and maybe better prices).

Next, I will turn my gaze to the draft program. I have some ideas that might be useful.