Berlin

it’s been a terribly hectic few weeks, as you might have guessed from the lower frequency of posting around here. not that i’m complaining – life may be busy, but it’s still treating me well. after working on my book like a maniac (it’s almost finished, i can hardly believe it!), i could really use the inspirational trip to berlin from last week. i went to visit the fashion trade fairs as i do every season, and this time i stayed at the brand new 25 HOURS HOTEL BIKINI BERLIN.

last time i experienced the 25 hours chain was IN ZURICH, and i really liked that location a lot. like, a lot a lot. the new hotel in berlin is very different in many ways, but at the same time it felt very familiar. i think they do a good job of translating the fun and carefree essence of the brand to each specific locale. all the modern comforts you’ve come to expect in a hotel are there – fast and free wifi, really nice bathroom amenities, a cozy lobby and beautifully designed, spacious rooms.

on top of that, 25 hours bikini berlin has a great bakery in the lobby with amazing coffee provided by FIVE ELEPHANT, giant hammocks and free newspapers. its restaurant on the top floor, NENI, boasts a spectacular view on both berlin city and the neighboring zoo (i could hear monkeys scream from my room, too!). and let me tell you about the food – it is SO VERY GOOD. i love their home made falafel, red beet and carrot salad and sweet potato fries so much, i dream about it all day long. the interior is pretty amazing as well, as they built a kind of greenhouse inside of the space.

bonus to the story? the hotel is located directly next to berlin’s newest shopping mall BIKINI BERLIN, which is home to restaurants, a movie theater and great shops such as a mykita flagship and a gestalten space. literally the only downside i can think of regarding this hotel, is that rooms near to the rooftop monkey bar tend to be able to hear the noise from the party until late at night – but if you simply ask for a room on the opposite end of the building, that shouldn’t be a problem.

photos by stephanie duval

you only have to ask me once to swing by a pop-up shop that serves amazing coffee. outdoor lifestyle brand TIMBERLAND teamed up with berlin coffee masters BONANZA to caffeinate visitors to the city during fashion week, so that is why i found myself at their mitte flagship store before heading to the trade fairs last week. espressos and cookies were sold not for money, but for tweets, instagrams and facebook updates tagged with #inmyelement. not the first time a smart marketeer used this technique to generate awareness, but definitely the first time i participated with such gusto.

photos by stephanie duval

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my name is stephanie duval, and i am a storyteller. this blog is where i share my favorite stories about design, travel, fashion and the nice things in life.

 

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