5 of the best design hotels in Hamburg

The Altes Hafenamt thrusts itself between the new buildings on Überseeboulevard almost like a little castle. In the lounge-style rooms, sailors’ quotes are coupled with smart design ideas. The shelves have been assembled from water pipes, and painted, old wooden doors serve as headboards for the box-spring bed. You really need to order the ‘Best of Neni’ in the basement restaurant one evening.

The George gives the roughish station quarter of St. Georg a touch of old-school British elegance. The 118 guest rooms, clad in old colonial charm, five suites and two penthouses provide a sophisticated ambience at the heart of a multicultural scene. A brilliant symbiosis of vibrancy and relaxation: you’re strongly recommended to order a single malt and look out on the Alster from the rooftop bar.

The tortoise is the most leisurely gourmet in the animal kingdom. The name of the designer hotel by David Chipperfield, with brasserie, chessboard `floor and timber beam ceiling, tells you with lightning clarity that here, too, people take time over good things. Late in the evening, you expect Mad Men’s Don Draper at the Bar Noir to complete the decor.

As soon as you walk through the door you get a verbal and culinary hug: “Moin!” Fancy a smoothie? There are tasty snacks in the foyer kiosk, guests breakfast together at a long wooden table, and browse in indie mags. Occasionally they’ll grab a bike or longboard and disappear into the atmospheric Sternschanze. A truly authentic community.

When converting a former iron foundry, the award-winning four-star superior designer hotel in the heart of St. Pauli opted for the sensitive mode of American architect Jordan Mozer. He took on the challenge of the classic Hamburg red brick, illuminated it brilliantly and added a few rounded corners to the decor – stylish in white.