If you were to scour all of Berlin's hotels looking for the oldest, this wouldn't be your first guess. It probably wouldn't even be in your top five. But there you have it - this crazy city has thrown you another curveball, because this 80's-style establishment, opened in 1911, is it. There are clues - it is situated in probably the best place a hotel could be in pre-war Berlin: next door to legendary Café Kranzler, (now an anachronism only interesting to the most fogey-ish tourists.) But the Hotel Zoo has done its best to keep up with the times, creatively introducing new features where the building's limitations are reached: as there is no room for a gym or a swimming pool, guests get a special deal in Sky Fitness close by. Live concerts are also beamed onto the wall of the mezzanine-level lounge overlooking the Ku'damm.

There's a creaky, musty atmosphere in some corners, and the old-fashioned furniture is slightly noticeable, but these provide a certain charm, and the service is certainly very friendly. Although the hotel only offers breakfast, the kitchen is accommodating enough to cook parties of ten or more an evening meal on request, and there is even a small conference room. Some of the small features are a little over-priced though. Pets cost an extra €10 per night, and 15 minutes in the business centre (a small room containing a phone, a computer and a fax machine) will relieve you of €5.