At the start of July, Berlin’s beloved 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin marked its eleventh anniversary in true City West fashion — with over 1,000 guests, rooftop views, and a brand-new look that blends nostalgia with bold reinvention. But this wasn’t just a birthday party. The hotel, already a cult favorite in Berlin’s hospitality scene, used the occasion to unveil the completion of its most ambitious renovation since opening its doors in 2014.

The refresh, overseen once again by designer Werner Aisslinger and studio aisslinger, brings a striking evolution to the hotel’s signature aesthetic. All 22 Large Urban and Large Jungle rooms now sport a redesigned layout that places the bed front and center, offering panoramic views of the Tiergarten or the buzzing City West skyline. The rooms still feature the hotel’s iconic Bluetooth bathtubs, but now include a new architectural statement — a built-in wooden library capsule that invites analog disconnection through reading, dreaming, or quiet reflection.

“Bikini has never been about conventional hospitality,” said Aisslinger. “It’s a Berlin icon because it constantly reinvents while staying true to its creative core.” The redesign uses innovative textiles from JAB and sustainable materials — think upcycled cork, natural bricks, and rattan — while mirrored surfaces bounce city lights and treetop greenery into the guest experience. In the new Coworking Bikini Lounge, collaborations with MOROSO and show-stopping design pieces, like a 4-meter lamp crafted from kilim carpets, add depth to the hotel’s ever-evolving identity.

The update doesn’t stop with the premium rooms. All Medium-category rooms have also been revamped with a cleaner, brighter lighting concept, integrated mirror lighting, and new swivel lamps. The bathrooms received a sustainable upgrade through an industry-first collaboration with Kaldewei: the hotel’s original bathtubs and shower trays were recycled, upgraded, and reinstalled, proving that luxury and eco-consciousness can go hand-in-hand.

Public spaces saw major changes too, including the addition of the Nomad Day Bar on the third floor — a space that transforms from a calm co-working café by day to an intimate wine bar by night. With healthy daytime offerings like smoothie bowls and juices giving way to hearty evening snacks like pastrami sandwiches and baked goat cheese, it’s already gaining local cult status. “After eleven years, we wanted to create something that feels both fresh and familiar,” said Francesca Schiano, General Manager and the hotel’s very first employee. “Nomad has become the heart of the hotel for me.”

With cozy fireplaces, hammocks, and a new community table, the third-floor space sets the tone for a more laid-back social hub — a calm contrast to the still-thriving Monkey Bar and NENI restaurant on the top floor, where lines still snake out the door nightly.

Looking ahead, 25hours Bikini Berlin is setting the stage for a more dynamic cultural presence. Plans are already in motion for monthly events ranging from comedy nights to concerts, creating a bridge between Berlin’s creative community and the hotel’s ever-loyal international following.

With its blend of urban grit, design whimsy, and community spirit, 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin continues to be more than just a place to sleep — it’s an experience, redefined once again.

Fotocredit: Stephan Lemke