25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin

There's no mistaking the urban jungle theme when you step inside the eco-friendly 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, where the vast open spaces are characterized by extensive greenery, hanging toy monkeys, and exposed metal pipes. It's a truly cool and contemporary space, with floor-to-ceiling glass at the entrance, bicycles and a car on display in the lobby, and colorfully graffitied walls. The hotel's quirky design extends to all areas, from the lounge with its wall of speakers and neon signs, to the kiosk selling weird and wonderful items and the sauna with its mosaic tiled floor and one glass wall overlooking Berlin Zoo. Expect to find yourself mostly in the company of young, trendy travelers looking to party, with a few families and business travelers in the mix.

Inasmuch as its themed to be an urban jungle, the hotel makes a big deal out of being next to the Berlin Zoo, with some rooms, the sauna, and the bar all overlooking the animals. The hotel is located in the City West neighborhood, home to the large Tiergarten park and Breitscheidplatz, a public square with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at its centre. There are plenty of great restaurants and bars in the immediate area. It's also very close to public transport options, so it's easy to get around the city and to and from the airport. In December, the city's Christmas markets and an ice rink are directly opposite the hotel. Berlin Tegel Airport is less than a 20-minute drive away.

The 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin's cool and quirky design definitely continues into the rooms themselves, which have brightly coloured checked blankets, doodles scrawled on the walls, and neon room number signs. It's worth spending a bit of time choosing your room, because some have great features like hammocks and some overlook the zoo, which makes for a pretty unusual experience. Be aware that the rooftop Monkey Bar can be busy and loud, so higher rooms tend to be noisy. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, and minibars, and the minimalist, tile bathrooms have rainfall showerheads. There are no tea and coffee-making facilities in the rooms, but you can pick up hot drinks from the on-site bakery and take them back to your room.

25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin has a sauna overlooking the zoo, a small 24-hour fitness center, and a relaxation area with wooden loungers and plenty of potted plants, which is great after a busy day exploring the city. NENI restaurant is on the tenth floor and its floor-to-ceiling windows offer city and park views while guests sample the European cuisine. The rooftop Monkey Bar is a popular choice for guests and Berliners alike, and has great zoo views, cocktails, and snacks, and a lively urban feel. There's also Burger de Ville, serving five different burgers, and the Woodfire Bakery, where bread and pastries are freshly baked on a wood fire throughout the day. Bicycles are available for guests to borrow, a great way to see the Tiergarten park. There's a spacious lounge, meeting room space, an iMac in the lobby, and a 24-hour kiosk selling quirky souvenirs. The hotel also has a Mini Cooper car available for guests to use.