Hotel Zoo Berlin
Kurfürstendamm 25, Berlin, Berlin, 10719, Germany, Berlin, Germany
Why We Like It
The mix of old-world elegance, 1920s Hollywood glamour and contemporary stylings make this hotel a hit, design-wise. Then there are the plush, beautifully appointed rooms with exceedingly comfortable beds and little luxuries like Maison Martin Margiela bathrobes. And the multitude of common spaces—from the clubby Living Room lounge, to the swanky Grace Bar to the sprawling rooftop terrace—means you’ll never be bored.
Fodor's Expert Review
Tucked inside one of the city’s oldest grand hotels, this remodeled property is an eclectic clash of New York City design meets Berlin tradition with exposed brick walls and a cutting-edge interior design employing objets d’art and oversize mirrors and lamps. The public areas are designed in subdued violet and black, while the airy, bright rooms–some with panoramic views of the Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard–exude a timeless elegance. Free Wi-Fi, a small gym and excellent service are some of the highlights, but pride of place goes to the trendy Grace Bar and the Grace Restaurant, offering Euro-Asian fusion cuisine. There's also a slick seasonal rooftop cocktail bar.
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Room
Accommodations are unique in layout and style, ranging from “petit” rooms to sprawling suites. Furnishings are understated but with a hint of Art Deco glam in the plush gray carpets and gray velvet accents of most rooms. Some look into the interior courtyard, while others offer views of the Kurfürstendamm or the opulent 19th-century Theater des Westens. All feature hardwood floors, Nespresso coffee makers, Apple TVs and bathrobes and slippers from the French luxury brand Maison Martin Margiela.
Bathroom
As with the room design, each bathroom differs slightly. Some have showers or rain showers, some have both bathtubs and showers, while several suites boast beautiful freestanding tubs.
Lobby
To get to reception, first you must walk the carpet. Not a red carpet, but a stunning 22-foot-long jade-green one, with a leopard design woven into it. It’s a dramatic entrance to hotel and its lobby, referred to as the Living Room, whose bohemian gentlemen’s club vibe invites lounging: in the Tom Dixon wing chairs, on the red velvet sofas or in the leather club chairs facing the long fireplace.
Dining
The Grace Restaurant’s menu skews toward small plates with an Asian and European bent, served in an open, high-ceilinged dining room that’s an equal combination of sophisticated, comfortable and sexy.
Drinking
The dimly lit, speakeasy-style Grace Bar attracts the beautiful people of Berlin, especially on weekends, when DJs spin a mix of R&B, hip-hop and club tunes. The Grace rooftop bar, open seasonally (May through September), is one of the hottest spots for drinks in the city, with spectacular sunset views.
You Should Know Grace Bar is often outsourced for private events in the evening, so go early or check before making a night of it here.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel is located at the top of the famed shopping stretch Kurfürstendamm, and the Kurfürstendamm U-Bahn is just outside the hotel.
Restaurants
For excellent wiener schnitzel and other Austrian specialties, head to the warm, friendly confines of Ottenthal (5-minute walk). Glass (10-minute walk) is Berlin’s answer to the molecular gastronomy movement, so expect to be awed by the cutting-edge flavor combinations and outrageous presentations. The upscale food court at Bikini Berlin (7-minute walk) offers a wide range of eateries at affordable prices, from decent burritos at Chicano to Funk You’s natural juices and smoothies to satisfying burgers at Spreegold.
Bars
With views the Ku’damm to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church through enormous windows—or in nice weather, from the sprawling terrace—Darwin’s Lab (10-minute walk) in the Bikini Berlin mall is a new hotspot for cocktails in West Berlin. If you want to keep the party going, head to The Pearl (5-minute walk), considered one of the city’s top dance clubs.
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