Eleven years after creating its original concept, Studio Aisslinger has masterfully reimagined Berlin’s iconic 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, marking a transformative reopening in July 2025. Far surpassing a typical refurbishment, this ambitious redesign reactivates key spaces and evolves the hotel’s DNA, ensuring it remains a vibrant, relevant, and distinctly Berlin landmark. Situated beside the Tiergarten and overlooking the Berlin Zoo, this cult destination solidifies its status through immersive storytelling and bold spatial innovation.
The 25hours Bikini Berlin is no ordinary hotel; it’s a global hospitality phenomenon. A decade on, nightly queues still form for its legendary Monkey Bar and the panoramic NENI restaurant. studio aisslinger’s core mission was preserving this magnetic appeal as a creative, unconventional hub while injecting fresh energy. The result is a dynamic environment bursting with flexibility, unique identity, and authentic local character – a testament to Berlin’s enduring subcultural spirit.
Central to the redesign is the compelling “Urban Jungle” concept. Inspired by the hotel’s unique location straddling the urban energy of City West and the lush greenery of the Tiergarten and zoo, studio aisslinger weaves a narrative where nature meets metropolis. This playful and immersive approach informs every corner, from public lounges to themed rooms and the vibrant rooftop bar, reflecting sustainability, culture, and Berlin’s raw edge.
A radical transformation unfolds within the 24 redesigned suites. studio aisslinger introduced a bold spatial layout where the bed commands centre stage, framing uninterrupted views of either the Tiergarten or the city skyline. Open-plan designs ensure seamless flow. The pièce de résistance is the “Conversation Pit” – a private, circular wooden library capsule in each Large Suite. This analog sanctuary, dedicated to reading and relaxation, underscores the brand’s commitment to tactile, non-digital experiences and intimate moments.
Open bathrooms blur boundaries between private and shared space, bathed in natural light. Warm, integrated mirror lighting and adjustable fixtures create ambiance, while contemporary tiles refresh the aesthetic. A standout tech feature sees bathtubs ingeniously double as Bluetooth speakers. Pioneering sustainability, studio aisslinger partnered with Kaldewei on a groundbreaking upcycling initiative: original tubs and shower trays were recycled, technically and visually refined, and reinstalled – a first for the premium brand.
The hotel’s hospitality spaces have been dramatically re-envisioned. The Nomad Bar metamorphoses from daytime bakery to lively aperitivo spot via rotating shelf panels. The tactile, hand-laid brick wallsof the Brick Lounge provide an earthy backdrop for coworking and quiet contemplation. Overlooking the zoo, the Rattan Jungle offers sculptural seating and hammock zones nestled in greenery. Developed with Moroso, the Bikini Lounge presents a flexible sofa landscape adaptable for work, relaxation, or spontaneous gatherings.
Material innovation is paramount. studio aisslinger highlights the contrast between the building’s raw concrete structure and newly introduced cozy zones. Key materials include innovative JAB textiles, natural brick, upcycled cork, woven rattan, and strategic mirrored surfaces that reflect the cityscape or parkland into the interiors. Collaborations with brands like Moroso and unique collectibles, such as a dramatic four-meter-long kilim rug light fixture, deepen the immersive narrative.
Founded in Berlin in 1993, Studio Aisslinger is renowned as a trendsetter in hospitality design, retail, and new work concepts. Their work represents a symbiosis of commercial pragmatism and free creativity, evidenced in award-winning global projects for Vitra, Cappellini, Zalando, and Accor. This hotel redesign reinforces their expertise in shaping future work-life ambiences with visionary flair.
The 25hours Hotel Group, part of Ennismore, is celebrated for its culturally rooted, smart hotel concepts tailored to urban explorers. With 17 locations across Europe, Jakarta, and Dubai, the brand embodies charmingly relaxed service. The Bikini Berlin, completed July 2025 across 8,800 sqm, stands as a flagship of their experiential approach, beautifully captured by Whitelight Studio.
The revitalized 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin by studio aisslinger is more than a renovation; it’s a reaffirmation of the hotel’s legendary status. Through the evocative “Urban Jungle” concept, innovative spatial solutions like the Conversation Pit, sustainable material choices, and dynamic reimagined social zones, the hotel emerges as a fresh yet familiar beacon of Berlin’s creative soul. It sets a compelling new benchmark for experience-oriented hospitality design worldwide.