Hamburg Hotels

GREEN, clean and beautiful, Hamburg nestles on the Elbe River, for centuries a significant port and trading centre for central Europe. Germany’s second largest city has a labyrinth of canals to rival Venice and is centred on two man-made lakes that account for eight percent of its total area.



Dubbed Germany's 'green city', Hamburg boasts1,400 parks and gardens. Modern buildings tower over stunning Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and at night the bright lights attract revellers, particularly in the city's notorious red light district, the Reeperbahn. Hamburg rose to significance in the 13th and 15th centuries when it became the most strategic port in the Hanseatic League of North German cities that controlled trade in the Baltic and North Seas .

The city was burned to the ground in World War II bombing raids but has since raised phoenix like from the ashes, thanks largely to the wealth garnered from its position as a trading centre. These days, Hamburg claims more millionaires than any other city in Europe. Today, Hamburg is Germany’s most entertaining holiday destination with plenty to see and do.

WHERE TO GO
Visit Hamburg for world-class museums, wonderful art galleries, upbeat nightlife, excellent restaurants and first class shopping. Below we provide Hamburg’s top tourist attractions:

Altona Fish Market - While fish markets may not be at the top of most people’s places to visit list, a trip to Altona is the exception to the rule. There is nearly everything and anything available at this exciting, vibrant Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done for around three centuries.

There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall and also live music, for those with an appetite for entertainment so early in the morning.

Warehouse complex - Well known as the Speicherstadt in Germany, this is one of the country’s oldest warehouse complex. Built of stunning red brick with gables and turrets, it is more than a 100 years old and is still being used for storing exotic goods from around the world.

Situated in an historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall, it is one of Hamburg’s major tourist attractions, boasting an open-air theatre, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an Old Russian submarine open for exploration. There is also the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience that guides your through the city’s history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating a stunning spectacle across the harbour.

Hamburger Kunsthalle - Hamburg's top art gallery offers showcases works from the Middle Ages through to modern day. The Kunsthalle's unique approach is to teach about art, rather than exhibit well-known art, and the gallery is constantly changing to introduce new works.

Blankenese - This charming fishing village situated on the steep Elbe hillside was once a haven for retired sea captains. The narrow alleys between picturesque houses packed together on the edge of the cliff can get busy at weekends, as Hamburg residents flock hereto escape the city.

The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where you can watch ships steaming in and out of the harbour. There is also a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Museum of Hamburg History - This museum guides you through every aspect of Hamburg’s history from the 8th to 20th century. Scale models have been used to illustrate the altering shape of the city's famous harbour. There are also exhibits of various typical rooms reconstructions, such as an air raid shelter from World War II.

Reeperbahn - World famous for its notorious red light district, the Reeperbahn also has a vibrant and exciting nightlife. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street), so called because it is where rope was produced for the ships in the harbour – is a half-mile long street, filled with bright lights and come hither prostitutes, heaving with colourful bars and music venues that provide erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn started out in the 19th century as a place where sailors were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more residential areas.

HOTELS
Hamburg boasts some pretty impressive hotels. The best are situated overlooking the water - Lake Alster and the Elbe, or on one of the city's canals. The glamorous boutique hotels are often in nondescript locations but are spectacular inside. Below we provide a list of the prestigious Conde Nast traveller magazine favourites:

East - Situated in the heart of the trendy Reeperbahn, or red-light district, there is nothing seedy about East. All 78 guest rooms are chic and minimalist and offer the last word in modern amenities: comfortable beds, rainfall showerheads, flat-screen TVs, and high-end bath products.

In the summer, Hamburg’s bright young things can be found lazing on the enormous rattan chaise longues scattered around the stylish open-air courtyard.

25 Hours Hotel - What this hotel lacks in room service and guest room toiletries, it more than makes up in luxury - living Divani daybeds, Brionvega TVs, and special-edition 1960s-influenced lamps by Flos are key features. All 89 bedrooms and three studios have clean, bespoke white bedroom and bathroom furniture, while the groovy 1970s-style wallpaper, matching cushions and throws in muted blues and greens, provides a wonderful dash of color.

Airmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten - The grand dame of Hamburg hotels, this impressive old lady, until recently a Raffles, dates from 1897 and provides outstanding public areas brimming with marble, tapestries, and chandeliers.

Each of the156 rooms and suites on five floors are individually furnished. Restaurants include the Michelin–starred Restaurant Haerlin, the Art Deco Jahreszeiten Grill, the Euro-Asian Doc Cheng's, and the sophisticated Café Condi. The Amrita Spa offers European and Asian treatments, including body scrubs, facials, and hot-stone massage.

Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg - This classy, white-pillared hotels cuts an imposing figure nestling on the banks of Lake Alster. High ceilings and vast fireplace in the lobby gives it the romantic atmosphere of a bygone age.

Order a drink from the dark-wood bar which offers Champagne cocktails, such as a Prince of Wales (invented in 1936, it combines Courvoisier, Cointreau, and a dash of Angostura, then is filled up with Champagne, garnished with fresh fruit, and served in a silver cup). Atlantic Kempinsi is also well-known for its cuisine. One of Hamburg's rising chef stars, Sven Büttner, serves up a radical, internationally inspired take on the classics.

Side - This stunning, modern 12-story, glass-fronted hotel was designed by architect Jan Störmer. The 178 bedrooms are chic and classic, with dark wood floors, white linen sheets, and high upholstered headboards. The attractive spa boasts a swimming pool, sauna, aromatherapy steam room, gym, solarium, and massage room. The hotel’s Fusion bar is a favoured hangout for the “beautiful” people and is generally packed full at weekends.