After a dreamy night at the effortlessly stylish Ellington Hotel, Emilie wakes up wrapped in silky sheets, the hum of the city just a faint murmur behind thick curtains. Outside, Kurfürstendamm is already alive—Berlin’s iconic boulevard bursting with energy, luxury boutiques, vintage cafés, and the rhythm of a city that never lost its edge.
Emilie—our queen of chill—sleeps in and orders up the full room service treatment. Croissants, fresh juice, and good coffee. After all, a little self-care never hurt anyone. When you’re staying at a hotel this luxurious, you’re absolutely allowed to treat yourself to a little indulgence, like room service and breakfast in bed. And wow… what a breakfast. The Ellington Hotel pulls out all the stops, quite literally rolling in the good life.
The trolley is a dream on wheels: fresh fruit, buttery croissants, sparkling wine—yes, bubbly for breakfast! Because in Berlin, that’s not just acceptable—it’s practically tradition. Whether it’s a Sekt brunch or a beer-to-go, this city knows how to celebrate life—anytime, anywhere.
THE FEMINA PALAST AKA DSCHUNGEL AKA ELLINGTON HOTEL
The building at Nürnberger Straße 50–56 is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028. Originally designed as an impressive office complex with storefronts, it—like so many Berlin buildings of its time—hid a surprise: a grand ballroom under the roof known as the Femina-Palast. That alone wouldn’t have been unusual in a city that’s always loved to party. But this ballroom had a twist—the ceiling could open, allowing guests to dance beneath the stars.
Tragically, the ballroom was destroyed during the war, though the rest of the structure remained intact. Life quickly returned to the building, and it soon became one of Berlin’s jazz hotspots.
Legends like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington—after whom the hotel’s restaurant is now named—graced the scene. In the ’70s and ’80s, the legendary nightclub “Dschungel” took over, attracting icons like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Depeche Mode. Back then, Dschungel was to Berlin what Berghain would later become.
Today, the rooms are bright and spacious, adorned with portraits of jazz greats that echo the building’s musical soul. And just beside the restaurant, a small radio studio still broadcasts live—keeping the rhythm alive.
The beautiful staircase and the golden shimmering doors are a nod to a bygone era—painstakingly restored to their former glory. Every detail whispers stories of the past, wrapped in elegance and timeless charm.
BERLIN ZOO
First stop: the legendary Berlin Zoo. His official name is Zoologischer Garten Berlin—but that’s way too long for most Berliners. Locals just call it “Zoo.” The area is well-known not just for the actual zoo, but also because it was once home to West Berlin’s main train station—a major hub that still connects much of the city, though it’s not quite as vital as it used to be.
For David Bowie fans and movie lovers, this place holds even more meaning. It became iconic through the haunting story of Christiane F. The German film was called „Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo“—or in English, We Children from Zoo Station.
Christiane was very real—one of the many kids who fought to survive in the drug-ridden underworld around Zoo Station in the 1970s. And here’s where the circle closes: back to the Femina Palast, now known as the Ellington Hotel. During his Berlin years, David Bowie recorded three groundbreaking albums at the legendary Hansa Studios. Among them was “Heroes”—arguably his most iconic track. And it was that song that became the emotional soundtrack to Christiane F., forever linking Bowie, Berlin, and a raw chapter of the city’s history.
But I digress 😊—because right now, we’re headed to the zoo. And in true Berlin fashion, the Berlin Zoo doesn’t do things halfway. Opened on August 1st, 1844, it’s not only Germany’s oldest zoo still in operation—it’s also the most species-rich zoo in the world.
Like the city itself, the zoo has a turbulent past—full of highs and lows. One of its darkest chapters? The horrific “human zoos” once staged here, where people from Asia, Africa, and the Americas were exhibited to visitors like exotic animals.
It’s shocking now—and it should be. These painful episodes are part of history, and history must be remembered and outgrown.
Today, the Berlin Zoo stands for something radically different. It’s more like a modern-day Noah’s Ark, committed to protecting endangered species. As part of a global conservation network, the zoo actively supports wildlife protection projects around the planet. Without places like this—led by science and compassion—many species would’ve already vanished under the pressure of human consumption and climate change.
So if you’re skeptical about zoos, it’s worth taking a closer look. Berlin’s Zoo isn’t about tricks and spectacle—it’s about science, care, and long-term survival. The animals here aren’t performers. They’re ambassadors of fragile ecosystems. And the people who care for them? Experts. Passionate biologists, researchers, and conservationists.
One of them is Dr. Thomas Rahde—zoologist, protector of species, and certified bird whisperer. With Thomas as her guide, Emilie gets a VIP deep dive into one of the most important urban conservation hubs in the world. She learns how this zoo protects endangered species, supports breeding programs, and collaborates globally to save our planet’s rarest creatures. They visit the aviaries, get up close with elephants and pandas, and even swap stories about feathered divas with attitude.
But let’s be honest—the real divas and showstoppers of the Berlin Zoo? The meerkats. Total pros at striking a pose. They know exactly how to work a crowd and clearly love the attention. You could spend hours watching them without ever getting bored.
Just as charming is the petting zoo—a favorite for kids and grown-ups alike. Here, cheeky goats, ponies, fluffy sheep, rabbits, and other furry characters mingle freely with visitors. And it’s not just fun for the humans—the animals genuinely seem to enjoy the interaction too. It’s pure joy, all around.
As golden hour turns the city into a film set, the girls get dressed for the night. Destination: Zig Zag Jazz Club—an intimate hotspot where Berlin’s creative scene gathers when the lights go low. Inside, it’s all velvet booths, candlelight, and raw talent. Dimitri, the club’s charismatic host, welcomes them like family.
And so, our journey through Berlin comes full circle. Joining the group is our very first guest—Jens Fischer Rodrian, Art Director of the Blue Man Group. Together, the three dive deep into the roots of jazz, Berlin’s underground scene, and the kind of performance art that knows no borders—only rhythm, rebellion, and raw emotion.
To wrap the night—and the journey—a final dinner back at the Ellington Jazz Restaurant.
Delicious food. The table glows under warm light. Laughter bubbles up. Glasses clink. Good drinks. It’s a celebration of everything they’ve seen, felt, and discovered.
Berlin—gritty, glamorous, chaotic, creative—has shown them just a fraction of its soul. But even that was unforgettable. And so, the journey continues.
Text & Images: Marco Kokkot | VALEUR MEDIA
