Hotel Zoo, Berlin, Germany
Golden-Age Glamour Reimagined with the Confidence of Contemporary Berlin
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A legendary Kurfürstendamm address whose cinematic past has been transformed into one of West Berlin’s most characterful design hotels.
● Dayna Lee and Ted Berner combine theatrical proportions, rich materials, and playful details without losing the building’s historic elegance.
● GRACE Restaurant, the intimate cocktail bar, and the seasonal rooftop terrace make the hotel as compelling after dark as it is by day.
A Berlin Legend Reborn
Hotel Zoo has been part of West Berlin’s social life for more than a century. Originally built as a private residence and converted into a hotel in 1911, it became the official VIP address of the Berlin International Film Festival during the 1950s. Film stars, royalty, and cultural figures passed through its doors, establishing a sense of glamour that still defines the building today. The past remains present. But never preserved in amber.
An Entrance with Theatre
The redesign by Hollywood creatives Dayna Lee and Ted Berner embraces drama from the first step. A long jade-green carpet by Diane von Fürstenberg runs through the lobby like a catwalk, leading towards monumental doors, soaring ceilings, oversized chandeliers, exposed brick, and a glass-enclosed fireplace. Tom Dixon chairs, deep leather seating, and red velvet add richness without tipping into pastiche. The hotel stages an entrance. Every guest becomes part of it.
Rooms with Cinematic Character
The 141 rooms and suites continue the story through texture and proportion. Hardwood floors, velvet, leather, custom furniture, fashion photography by Andreas Kock, and carefully chosen lighting create interiors with an Art Deco undertone and a distinctly contemporary mood. Suites add freestanding bathtubs, vinyl players, coffee-table books, and more expansive living areas, while the penthouses elevate the experience with fireplaces and generous views across the city. The glamour feels deliberate. Never overplayed.
West Berlin After Dark
Hotel Zoo is not simply a place to retreat at the end of the evening. GRACE Restaurant combines high ceilings, green velvet, and polished service with a menu shaped by Asian and European influences. Next door, GRACE Bar feels darker and more intimate, with exposed brick, lacquered timber, classic cocktails, and nightly DJs. During the warmer months, the rooftop terrace adds open skies and sunset views over Charlottenburg. The hotel welcomes nightlife. Then becomes part of it.
Kurfürstendamm at the Door
Few Berlin addresses carry the same cultural weight as the Ku’damm. Fashion, photography, theatre, music, and architecture all converge within walking distance, from C/O Berlin and the Helmut Newton Foundation to the Theatre des Westens, Bikini Berlin, and Tiergarten. The hotel belongs to this particular version of Berlin: polished, theatrical, and slightly rebellious. The location brings history. The hotel gives it attitude.
Why It Works
Hotel Zoo succeeds because it understands that glamour only feels convincing when it has depth. Its Berlinale history, theatrical interiors, strong social spaces, and enduring Kurfürstendamm address create a hotel that feels both established and alive. It is not a nostalgic revival, but a confident continuation of one of West Berlin’s most storied hospitality landmarks.
