"Start us off with an overview and an entrance.Built in 1891 as a private residence and converted into a hotel in 1911, this has been one of West Berlin’s poshest stays for more than a century. In the 1950s, it served as the VIP hotel for the Berlin International Film Festival and was a haunt for A-listers like Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. So it’s fitting that the hotel’s glamorous history has been reinterpreted by two Hollywood designers, Dayna Lee and Ted Berner. To reach reception, you must walk a long, jade-green carpet woven with images of leopards, a nod to both the hotel’s name and a clever twist on its silver-screen past. The lobby wows upon entry: soaring 22-foot ceilings, double-height windows, and a glassed-in fireplace sit below an immense chandelier dripping with delicate chains. Tom Dixon wing chairs and oversized red velvet sofas add to the glam factor, while comfortable leather club chairs invite lounging. How elegant. And who will we see here?Socialites, fashionistas, and scenesters. What are the rooms like?The 141 rooms and suites have an Art Deco feel, and luxe detailing like rich velvet and leather furnishings, platform beds, gleaming hardwood floors, and plush area rugs. Each has a different layout, with Petit rooms starting at around 200 square feet, while the newer Studio Suites are generously sized, measuring 645 square feet with separate living and sleeping areas. Only the suites have freestanding tubs.The two sprawling six-floor Penthouse Suites—the Ku’Damm Suite and The Suite—are a different world altogether, with large seating areas outfitted with George Smith furnishings in fuchsia and pink; one has a balcony, and both have double-sided fireplaces. Some rooms overlook the courtyard; others have views of the Kurfürstendamm or the opulent historic Theater des Westens. What are our food options, if we're not feeling like going beyond the lobby?Grace Restaurant offers small plates with an Asian and European flair; the high-ceilinged open space is sophisticated, with white tablecloths and sumptuous green velvet and leather seating. The speakeasy-style Grace Bar, meanwhile, has a glam 1920s vibe, with exposed brick walls and miles of red velvet. It’s a favorite among the beautiful set of Berlin, especially on weekends, when DJs are spinning. There’s an adjoining open-air winter garden/smoking lounge with a cozy gas fireplace. A seasonal rooftop bar (open May to September) has an open fireplace for cooler nights, umbrellas for sunny days, and grand views of the city and sunset in all seasons. Note that breakfast isn't included, but rooms are stocked with Nespresso coffee machines. Wrap it up—what makes Hotel Zoo worth the stay?The cool design aesthetic and location on Ku'damm, Berlin's best shopping street." - Jennifer Ceaser
