A Berlin legend reborn Hotel Zoo opens (Germany)
Amid the revitalization of Berlin's City West, the iconic Hotel Zoo has been reinvented. |
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A Berlin legend reborn Hotel Zoo opens (Germany)
Amid the revitalization of Berlin's City West, the iconic Hotel Zoo has been reinvented. |
Category: Europe - Germany - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2014-11-10
With 145 rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace, a light-flooded Living Room, a winter garden, and the intimate Grace Bar, an iconic piece of Berlin history is poised for a grand comeback. Adding glitz to glamor is a catwalk carpet by Diane von Fürstenberg, in-room accessories by Maison Martin Margiela, and a specially designed nail polish by Uslu Airlines in edgy green. Design Hotels’ fifth member hotel in Berlin has a splashy new tale to tell.
A Polished Living Room for the City West If the walls of 25 Kurfürstendamm could talk they would tell tales of a regal façade and the lives lived behind it. From the building’s construction in 1891 as a private residence to its reincarnation as a hotel in 1911. From the Roaring Twenties to the glamorous years as the official VIP hotel of the Berlin International Film Festival (during the 50’s to the 70’s).
“It isn’t often such a legendary and iconic residence comes our way to design… on the storied Kurfürstendamm, in the magnetic city of Berlin,” says designer Dayna Lee. In developing the aesthetic concept, the American designer imagined the families that once lived in the house. “I thought about what they wore to the film festivals and galas of the past. The design is inspired by our fictional tale of the current generation who would now inhabit this stately residence."
Those entering the doors of Hotel Zoo today would not recognize it from its former incarnation. A portal of natural stone welcomes guests onto a jade colored carpet by Diane von Fürstenberg, with black and white crouching leopards woven into it. The 22-meter catwalk runs the length of the entrance and leads guests to a floating reception, bridging the entrance to the Living Room - the heart and soul of the hotel. Vibrant hues, opulent carpet, crimson sofas and violet Tom Dixon’s wingchairs soften the masculine edge of dark wood and leather Baxter club chairs grouped fireside. Seven meter high floor-to-ceiling industrial windows flood the room with natural light, illuminating Lee’s deliberate play on scale. Overhead, a two-ton molding of enlarged lilies has been mounted to the ceiling – the crowning fantastical piece. “The neighborhood now has a place to work and relax in a creative environment,” says Lee.
A City Stay with CharacterThanks to the seamless integration of the historical building and the new additions, the 145 rooms and suites (varying between 18 and 145 square meters), each bear their own trademarks. The seven room and suite categories feature king, queen or twin size beds, LCD TVs with Apple TV, Nespresso coffee machines, rain showers, and some with freestanding bathtubs. To strike the right balance of townhouse comfort and refined elegance, Lee assembled a peaceful palette complemented by strong color accents. Harmonious contrasts are created by custom-made walnut wood cabinetry and rich hardwood floors, offset with oyster-hued armchairs and matching button-back headboards, while ivory-colored lampshades either hang or stand bedside.
For guests seeking the height of luxury at Hotel Zoo, two sixth floor Penthouse Suites epitomize the style ethos of the hotel. Floor to ceiling windows flood the spaces with natural light. The rear Penthouse Suite (105 sqm) boasts a spacious living area with a George Smith sofa and a double-sided fireplace. A bedroom with a king size bed and a second bathroom with a couples rain shower are matched in luxury by a full walk-in closet. A 40 sqm neighboring room can be added on. The second Penthouse Suite (70 sqm) features sweeping views of Ku’damm, a generous sleeping area, and a fireplace that can be seen from the bed, the freestanding bathtub, and the sofa.
Attention to DetailIndulgent room details have not been neglected at Hotel Zoo. Towels and nightshirts are by Maison Martin Margiela, while other details have been kept local. Bathroom amenities are the makings of Berlin-based perfumer Tanja Bochnig – her April Aromatics line the brand’s first foray into hotels. Hotel Zoo has teamed-up with the Berlin cosmetics company, Uslu Airlines, to create its own signature nail polish in edgy emerald green (a color taken from the Diane von Fürstenberg carpet in the entrance of the hotel).
Grace Bar Separated from the Living Room by the industrial window panes of the winter garden is the elegant Grace Bar. Inspired by the speakeasy atmosphere of yesteryear’s Hotel Zoo – once the meeting point of legendary movie stars and intellectual elite – cocktail classics from the 1920s through to the 1950s are served. A lacquered wood bar in dark aubergine features an under-lit amethyst countertop, providing an intriguing focal point in the intimate space.
Berliners and guests meet for drinks over small plates at either a high table top or low wood tables with olive green leather Baxter chairs and velvet-covered stools. A gold dusted brick wall curves the lounge area, while a velvet George Smith sofa hugs its soft lines. The menu changes quarterly and is presented in newspaper format, featuring details of the hotel, portraits of the bar team as well as stories of Berlin. The bar is run in partnership with the Berlin-based events agency Tehrani & Brandts (the crew responsible for the Butterfly Effect parties and the Club Avenue). The Grace Bar is accessible through the hotel or a separate entrance on Kranzler Eck.
Another highlight awaits in January 2015, when Ned Karamujic – the former head chef of Berlin’s famous Grill Royal – launches Grace restaurant.
About Design HotelsDesign Hotels represents and markets a curated selection of 280 independent hotels in over 50 countries across the globe.
More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an "Original," someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each "Original" stands for the individual, aesthetic and service-driven experience that his or her hotel provides.
Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from market trend consultancy to international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, and Singapore.
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