25H HOTEL - bikini berlin | Studio Aisslinger

BIKINI BERLIN is one of the few still preserved contemporary witnesses of Berlin’s turbulent history during the post-war period of the 1950s. The “Zentrum am Zoo” ensemble, which was
completed in 1957 by architects Paul Schwebes and Hans Schoszberger, is a symbol of Berlin City-West’s cityscape.

The name BIKINI BERLIN comes from the name Bikinihaus, which is how local Berliners affectionately christened the building in the 1950s. An open-sided storey framed by columns on the second floor once separated the building into one upper and one lower area. For the Berlin locals, the two-tier architecture, which today is fully glazed, reminded them of the daring new swimwear fashion of that time, the bikini.

As part of the building ensemble of BIKINI BERLIN, the innovative 25hours hotel group is moving its first hotel in Berlin into the Kleines Hochhaus (small high-rise) next to the so-called Elefantentor (Elephant’s Gate) entrance of the city’s Zoological Garden.

True to the 25hours motto "You know one, you know none" the new hotel in Berlin has really done its homework on its new location. The design concept comes from designer Werner Aisslinger and his team. Using the interplay of nature and culture, they have come up with a holistic design concept under the working title "Urban Jungle". One half of the total of 149 rooms looks out over the animal enclosure of the Zoological Garden and follows a warmer design scheme with natural materials and colours. The other half affords views of one of Berlin’s best-known landmarks, the Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz. The design of these rooms is more urban and somewhat rawer, in reflection of Berlin’s edgy, creative side.

All six room categories offer the 25hours standards: comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, air conditioning, TV, minibar, free bicycle rental, iPod docking station, sustainable cosmetic products and free WiFi.

The hotel’s loft-like lobby area with the reception is located on the third floor along with the in-house bakery, which prepares fresh bread specialities in a wood-fired oven and patisserie every day, as well as a kiosk curated in cooperation with the Gestalten Verlag. The international publishing house is renowned for its innovative publications, specialising in the fields of design, photography and illustration. The hotel also offers three meeting rooms for up to 100 people. On the 9th floor guests will find the "Jungle Sauna" with a relaxation area and fantastic views of the Zoo.

On the 10th floor the top storey crowning the hotel building houses the NENI Berlin restaurant which serves eclectic, Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and the Monkey Bar with an open fireplace and spectacular rooftop terrace. 

Source
25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, Budapester Str. 40 - Berlin

Drawings by Japanese artist Yoshi Sislay