Berlin’s elegant business hotel in the centre of West-Berlin just had a facelift in the public areas. The new style seamlessly blends Swiss tradition and a contemporary lush colour palette, high-quality materials and a cunning light-concept. The combination both complements the cutting-edge design of Gerkan Marg & Partner architects, yet lends the space a harmonious, cosy feeling. It’s been nipped, tucked and stylishly reshaped into one of the city’s most smart and spacious stays.The light flooded room deftly balances currents and Swiss sustainability. Authentic materials like leather, solid walnut- and cedar wood, as well as wool fabrics, styled to pay tribute Swiss felt, effortlessly blends the artefacts displayed throughout the hotel. „Our new lobby is more of a contemporary living room, than a merely functional public area. The space is intended for locals and design-savvy travellers, who embrace the new luxuries of time and ease. The key to relaxing here is feeling at home“, explains Bettina Schütt, General Manager of Swissôtel Berlin. The diverse mix of furniture cultivates a luxury-apartment feel with an artful vibe, while it yet enjoys a laid-back ambience. Mixed seating-accommodations and differing table heights are tailored to individual needs. Three high tables by Riva 1920 made of solid walnut are providing the perfect platform for unconventional gatherings. Sassy modern aluminium high chairs by Gervasoni contrast strikingly with the matt wooden tables.
The raw wood communal table, also by Riva 1920, is 95 cm high and works a cool vibe as the lobby’s centrepiece with a massive walnut top and natural brink. Various high chairs by Cassina, Arper and Cappellini are smartly added as a colourful juxtaposition. A place destined for team dialogues or joint coffee breaks. The adjacent five-piece suites of furniture with celestially sleek tables by Studio Cappellini, offer the perfect place for coffee, snacks and delicious dining. The sophisticated and timeless pieces come courtesy of Piero Lissoni and are counted among modern design classics.
Design devotees will adore the lounge area with sofas by Emaf Progetti for Zanotta, granting the space an intimate vibe throughout. This is reinforced by a rich combination of contemporary design and a relaxing, informal space decorated with an eclectic mix of warm colours, rich upholstery and, above all, comfort.Three „Tulip Chairs” by design genius Marcel Wanders are cleverly put in front of the futuristic glass elevators, adding modernist precision. The upholstered swivel armchairs with high backs and sides are mimicking a tulip blossom which creates a cocoon-like atmosphere, perfect for undisturbed telephone conversations and privacy.
The intimate library, where quiet moments and private conversations find the perfect surroundings, is a welcoming new space that surprises and delights. The custom-made walnut bookshelves by architect David Chipperfield are filled with books on art and history for studious visitors looking to explore nearby sites. A homely approach set in the context of a sophisticated and modern pied-à-terre. The sultry bar shines in red where comfortable chairs by Moroso and jaw-dropping views from the floor-to-ceiling windows beckon guests to linger over a drink. The new public spaces promise to make for an experience that is – like the city itself – a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions and modern elements.
