Hotel
Hotel Adlon Kempinski
Berlin's most famous grand hotel, facing the Brandenburg Gate on Pariser Platz, with 385 rooms and suites, a spa and the Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer.
A playful design hotel in the Bikini Berlin building beside the Zoo, with Jungle rooms overlooking the Tiergarten, the Monkey Bar and NENI restaurant on the 10th floor.
Good to know
The 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin occupies part of the Bikini Berlin complex, a restored 1950s building between the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Zoo in the city's western centre. The building takes its name from its original design, with an open middle floor that separated the upper and lower sections like a two-piece swimsuit. Today it houses a concept shopping mall, offices and the hotel, whose relaxed, urban jungle theme makes it one of the most distinctive places to stay in this part of Berlin.
Rooms come in two main types. Urban rooms face the city and Breitscheidplatz, with views towards the Memorial Church, while Jungle rooms look out over the Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo. The Medium Jungle rooms have full-length windows and hammocks from which you can look over the zoo grounds. Interiors are colourful and informal, with plenty of plants, natural materials and quirky details.
The 10th floor is the hotel's social centre. The Monkey Bar, with views of the city, the Tiergarten and the zoo enclosures below, is one of Berlin's most popular rooftop bars and is open to non-residents, so expect it to be busy in the evening. Next to it, the restaurant NENI serves a mix of Mediterranean, Persian and Austrian dishes designed for sharing. The hotel also rents Schindelhauer bikes in several sizes, with a map of suggested routes, which is an easy way to explore the Tiergarten and the banks of the Spree.
The hotel suits couples, friends and younger travellers who want a lively, design-focused base, and families who like the idea of a zoo view. It is less suited to guests looking for a traditional, formal hotel. Rates are mid-range to upper mid-range for Berlin and rise during trade fairs and major events. Book a Jungle room if the view is important to you.
The hotel is a good base for exploring the western centre, often called City West, which grew up around the Kurfürstendamm and was the heart of West Berlin during the division of the city.
Zoologischer Garten station, with S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains, is a short walk away. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is next door, the Kurfürstendamm and KaDeWe are within ten minutes on foot, and the Zoo and Aquarium entrances are across the road.
In the Bikini Berlin building at Budapester Strasse 40, next to the Zoo and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Rooms overlooking the Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo; Medium Jungle rooms have full-length windows and hammocks.
Yes, the Monkey Bar on the 10th floor, which is open to non-residents.
Yes, NENI on the 10th floor serves Mediterranean, Persian and Austrian sharing dishes.
Yes, the hotel rents Schindelhauer bikes and provides route maps.
Yes, especially for families who would enjoy a view of the zoo.
Zoologischer Garten, a short walk away.
The Zoo, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Kurfürstendamm and KaDeWe.
Bar
Berlin's most famous techno club, in a former power station near Ostbahnhof, with the Panorama Bar upstairs and marathon weekend Klubnacht parties.
Thing to do
The 368-metre television tower beside Alexanderplatz, with an observation deck at about 203 metres and the revolving Sphere restaurant just above.
Attraction
Berlin's best-known landmark, a neoclassical gate completed in 1791 and crowned by the Quadriga, which stood beside the Wall until it reopened in December 1989.
Restaurant
A Kreuzberg snack bar on Mehringdamm serving currywurst since 1980, open from morning until the small hours.