Das Stue - Five Stars plus Zoo
We usually try to steer quite clear of recommending five-star hotels.
Suggesting the most luxurious place in town, only to have it exceed most budgets, feels a bit too easy.
But with the Stue, we simply can’t resist.
The Berlin Zoo had already celebrated nearly a century of existence when, in the late 1930s, the Royal Danish Embassy was constructed on the edge of its northeastern corner.
Over seventy years later, this elegant building on Drakestraße became home to one of Berlin’s most distinctive hotels.
„Stue“ is the Danish word for living room and it’s a fitting description.
This former stately embassy has been transformed into a cozy retreat, exuding the charm of a boutique hotel.
And how many city hotels can boast of ostriches or wallabies casually strolling past your breakfast table?
Between Zoo and Tiergarten
The sprawling Tiergarten stretches from the Stue all the way to the Brandenburg Gate.
Whether you prefer cycling into the city center or stroll through its lush greenery, the location is ideal.
On the other side of the hotel, a narrow gate offers guests direct access to the zoo.
The trumpeting of elephants or the chatter of monkeys blends effortlessly into the ambient sounds of the hotel lobby.
A Crocodile in the Lobby
With its listed shell limestone facade and imposing portal, the historic building could just as easily house a natural history museum.
So, it’s no surprise that the first thing we encounter in the lobby is a crocodile skull.
This bronze sculpture is the work of French artist Quentin Garel.
He begins his creations with intricate charcoal drawings. From these, he carves detailed wooden sculptures, which then serve as molds for their final bronze form.
Garel’s artistry preserves every detail, from the delicate strokes of his drawings to the textures of the original wood.
So his animal figures exude an extraordinary depth and organic presence.
The grand entrance hall with the historic staircase, in wich the artwork is located has been lovingly restored, with original parquet floors and doors.
Stue – the Living Room
The dining room, restaurant, bar and lobby flow seamlessly into one another.
Warm tones, plush seating, and softly glowing lamps create an inviting living room ambiance.
Our room, located in the hotel’s newer wing, features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the zoo.
From the comfort of our oversized bed, we watch the pudgy capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, ambling through the grass like outsized guinea pigs.
Of course we start our day with a cup of P&T tea in bed, savoring the view before heading downstairs to an exquisite breakfast spread.
A Grand Hotel with Charm
Naturally, the Stue offers all the luxurious amenities you’d expect from a five-star hotel: a day spa, sauna and an expansive pool.
The staff, dressed in uniforms reminiscent of classic grand hotels.
But there’s a twist - design duo Viktor&Rolf have given these uniforms a modern edge, incorporating cool cuts and animal prints.
The whimsical aesthetic evokes the charm of our beloved Wes Anderson films.
We stand by our claim - the Stue is truly one of a kind.
