Casa Camper Berlin, a funky hotel by the cult shoe brand from which to explore Germany’s capital of cool
Modern, minimalist interiors and quirky touches add character to Camper’s second European hotel offering
What is it? It turns out the cultish Spanish shoe company Camper does hotels, too. Just like the funky, functional footwear, Casa Camper Berlin – with its 51 apartments and suites across eight floors – follows fun, informal design cues. And the location is perfect; on the northern edge of the German capital’s Mitte district, which translates as “middle” or “centre”, where history and hipsters fit, well, like a comfy pair of boots.
What’s so special about it? In a word, tentempié. But you’ll have to read further to find out what that means. Design wise, Fernando Amat and Jordi Tió, the creative team behind the group’s only other hotel, in Barcelona, again employed a minimalist aesthetic, with pops of bold colours (red rules the roost here), applying the quirky design touches that distinguish the brand.
The hip approach to hospitality starts on arrival. The nondescript entrance is flanked by vintage push bikes displayed in shop windows. Step past the shoe display (Campers, of course) and Vinçon furnishings to the modest reception. A discreet hallway veering off the lobby offers guest-only access to the adjacent pop-up fashion store, currently occupied by boutique Spanish retailer Medwinds.
What about the rooms? They come in several configurations, but all share clever yet understated design touches. Basic rooms are all white while hallways, larger rooms and suites run very, very red. Along one entire wall of each large sleeping and lounge area is a row of hooks; for coats, scarves, bags, lights, camera and the like.