Last updated on January 09th, 2022
Although it is located 100 kilometres from the North Sea, Hamburg is proud of its status as the busiest port in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Its location on the navigable River Elbe has also given it a rich history and heritage, making the city a popular short break destination.
If you’re planning a visit, we think the best places to stay are the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten and the Westin Hotel or, if you like staying somewhere with a more boutique feel, we recommend the Tortue Hamburg. Read on hotel suggestions near the airport, city centre or main train station.
Quick Overview – Contents
Best Area to Stay in Hamburg Germany For First Time Visit ?
With its sprawling layout and different districts, Germany’s second-largest city can be a little confusing for first-time visitors. If this is your first time in the city we suggest booking a hotel in Altstadt, HafenCity or St Georg. Any of these districts will give you a real sense of the city’s culture and history. Read more
What is the most expensive hotel in Hamburg Germany ?
If it’s a special occasion and you want to treat yourself or someone special or if you simply like to travel in style then book a few days at The Fontenay with its pool and luxury spa. It is the most expensive hotel in Hamburg!
What are the Best (5 Star Luxury) Hotels in Hamburg City Centre?
Grand luxury in the classic European style is offered to guests at the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Its location is ideal, close both to waterfront walks and activities as well as to shops and theatres. Each bedroom or top suite combines traditional luxury with state-of-the-art technology while guests can enjoy award-winning cuisine in one of the hotel’s four restaurants or bars. The hotel also has a spa and fitness centre. It’s one of the best luxury hotels in Hamburg Germany.
With impressive views of the city and port from its floor-to-ceiling windows, the Westin Hamburg is housed in a landmark contemporary building while the attractions of HafenCity are right on the doorstep. Luxury rooms and superior suites are tastefully decorated in cool colours and designed to complement the hotel’s exterior. At the end of a day’s sightseeing, you can enjoy dining in the Saffron Restaurant. Among hotel facilities are the large Elb Spa and Westin WORKOUT studio as well as an indoor pool, car rental desk, bank and beauty shop.
The Grand Elysee Hamburg is grand in looks and grand in comfort and service while its location near Dammtor Metro Station puts it just minutes from the city centre, Alster Lake and Moorweidenpark. The spacious rooms are soundproofed and furnished in cool contemporary style with every comfort thought of. The grand hotel lobby houses four restaurants as well as a bar and the elegant Boulevard Cafe. The property also houses an art gallery while there are regular live music events. It’s one of Hamburg’s finest luxury hotels.
From reception desks to restaurants and from bedrooms to the spa, a touch of gold adds sparkle to the Side Design Hotel Hamburg. Totally redesigned by renowned architect Matteo Thun, the hotel has every comfort alongside the latest technology. The hotel is conveniently located for both business and leisure travellers and at the end of a busy day, you can tuck into dry-aged steak or seafood in the [m]eatery restaurant.
With views over trees to Lake Alster, the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg has a calm country feel while being close to the city centre. Since it opened in 1909, the Atlantic Kempinski has provided comfort and quality service to its guests. Relax in comfortable rooms and suites and dine on German regional and maritime cuisine in the Atlantic Restaurant. There is even a private movie cinema!
6. THE MADISON Hotel Hamburg – Good Value
Centrally located between the city centre and the harbour, the top rated Madison Hotel suits both business and leisure travellers. All rooms from studios to the penthouse are filled with light and come with fully-equipped kitchenettes and spacious baths. Relax with cocktails in The Bar or a pampering massage in the Spa before dining in Marley’s Restaurant.
7. ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg – Good Value
Housed in a strikingly modern building in the trendy St Pauli district, the contemporary touch of the Arcotel Onyx continues inside with funky furniture and artwork. Rooms have feature porthole windows, reflected in the round beds of some room categories. All accommodation is spaciously comfortable and finished with bold splashes of blue and yellow. The hotel has a bar and cafe for drinks and snacks as well as a spa and fitness room.
8. AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt – Good Value
The Ameron Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt is located in the city’s heart while the interior design of its spacious and comfortable rooms and suites is inspired by the art and colours of the 50s and 60s. Italian cuisine with a modern twist is served in the elegant surroundings of the cantinetta ristorante while other hotel facilities include meeting rooms, a spa, fitness centre and Finnish sauna.
9. Holiday Inn – Hamburg – HafenCity – Good Value
With public transport and tourist attractions on the doorstep, the Holiday Inn – Hamburg – HafenCity is the ideal base for city explorations. Designed to suit both business and leisure travellers, the hotel has business facilities and meeting rooms as well as a 24-hour gym, all-day dining in the Open Lobby, a relaxing cocktail bar and a Starbucks coffee shop. Highlights of the rooms are the oversized windows and colourful artwork.
What are the 5 Best Boutique Hotels in Hamburg City Centre ?
Converted from a seven-storey seed warehouse, the Sir Nikolai Hotel offers boutique accommodation in an enviable location right on the Nikolaifleet Canal. The luxury bedrooms are a pleasing mix of country cottage and contemporary chic while the hotel offers a range of events and workshops that turn a weekend break into an experience. These include lessons on portrait photography, how to make coffee like a barista or create the perfect gourmet schnitzel. It’s the best luxury boutique hotel in Hamburg Germany.
Urban cosiness meets mid-century German decor in the rooms and public spaces of the boutique Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown. Its location near Hamburg Hbf makes it ideal for both business and leisure travellers, with Hamburg’s attractions just a few minutes away. HENRI’s livingroom offers somewhere to sit, relax and chat with food and drink available from breakfast through to late while other facilities include a gym, spa, Finnish sauna and a steam room.
3. Volksschule
Housed in an attractive old school building, the family-run Volksschule offers a contemporary interior that contrasts with the historic exterior as well as a superb level of customer service. Its location is ideal, with many attractions within walking distance. A feature of the contemporary decor in the bedrooms is old city photographs. A tempting breakfast buffet gets your day off to a good start.
The Tortue Hamburg offers you a boutique experience where every bedroom, suite and public room has a unique charm of its own. Located in the heart of the city centre, the hotel puts Hamburg’s attractions right on your doorstep while in the evening you can choose between the hotel’s two restaurants, one Asian the other French. Other hotel facilities include bars, a gym and a ‘driving butler’ shuttle service. It’s one of the best rated boutique hotels in Hamburg city center.
The 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt is inspired by the port in which it sits with bedrooms that reflect sailors’ cabins with king-size ‘bunks’ and a relaxed living space enjoyed by both local residents and guests. The Heimat Restaurant is a funky setting where dishes are crafted from responsibly produced local products while the hotel also has a meeting room, gift shop and spa.
What’s the Best Hotel with Spa & Pool ?
1. The Fontenay
Enjoying its favourable location on the shores of Lake Alster for two centuries, the 5 star Fontenay with its top spa and pool is the ultimate in elegant luxury. The hotel design is inspired by circles and trapezoids and this theme is continued throughout the comfortable contemporary bedrooms and suites. The rooftop spa with its infinity pool delivers breathtaking lake views and a range of deluxe beauty and health treatments. Dining options range from the smart casual to the award-winning. It’s one of the best hotels in Hamburg Germany.
What’s the Best Hotel near Hamburg Train Station Hbf ?
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is the largest and busiest of the city’s five train stations and the main rail hub for northern Germany. It is served mainly by domestic routes as well as an intercity service to Copenhagen. The station is constructed of iron and glass and topped with clock towers. It is eco-friendly, entertains passengers with classical music and has a wide range of facilities, cafes and shops.
The Hotel Europäischer Hof Hamburg is directly opposite the train station and has the distinction of being one of Europe’s largest privately-owned hotels. Despite its size, it offers a warm level of service and a family atmosphere. Rooms are comfortable and contemporary in design and you can enjoy dining in the Paulaner Wirtshaus restaurant, drinking in the Piano Bar or enjoying some time in the wellness area with its indoor pool and unique 150m long waterslide.
What’s the Best Hotel near Hamburg Airport ?
Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport (HAM) is located just over eight kilometres north of the city centre. It is served by European low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet and also offers some intercontinental routes. The airport is large with a good selection of facilities and is linked to the city centre by S-Bahn train services and shuttle buses.
With easy access to airport terminals as well as the city centre, the Radisson Blu Hotel Hamburg Airport makes a perfect base whether you’re in the city for business meetings or to explore its attractions. The comfortable rooms and suites have urban or ocean themes while the Filini Bar and the Filini Restaurant offer tempting food and a chance to relax at the end of a busy day. Workout in the PACE Fitness Club or simply unwind in the sauna and steam bath.
What’s the Best Hotel near Messe Hamburg ?
Located in the St Pauli district, Messehallen is a large conference, convention and business centre that hosts at least 40 major events and concerts a year and welcomes over 700,000 visitors annually. With eleven halls of exhibition space and a large outdoor area, it is flexible enough to cope with the requirements of any trade fair, conference or special event.
Whether you’re attending an event at Messhallen or exploring Hamburg’s attractions, the NH Collection Hamburg City is perfectly located at the edge of the St Pauli district. Splashes of bold colour add warmth to its comfortable contemporary room design while the Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks 24-hours a day. Hotel facilities include a rooftop wellness area, sauna and steam room and a beautiful garden terrace.
What’s the Best Cheap or Affordable Hotel in Hamburg Germany ?
The prizeotel Hamburg – St Pauli is colourful and trendy, designed to reflect its location at the heart of the port district. Everything you could want from a city visit is on the doorstep, while once inside this affordable hotel you can relax in comfortable surroundings. Sculpted furniture and bold abstract patterns feature throughout the hotel in both bedrooms and public spaces while its facilities include a 24-hour bar and a breakfast buffet.
Best Value Hotels in Hamburg City Centre
Hamburg City Centre or Mitte is made up of different areas such as the Spitaler Straße and Mönckebergstraße or the arcades around the Alsterarkaden Canal which are all great for shopping and dining. While in this area pay a visit to the impressive Neo-Renaissance City Hall or Rathaus. Zollenbrücke, dating from the 17th century, is the city’s oldest river bridge and can found in the St Nikolai district. Here you can also admire the half-timbered houses that were home to the city’s mercantile class. If travelling with your family, you’ll find the Hamburg Dungeon and the Miniatur Wonderland in HafenCity.
Good Value Accommodation in Mitte
- Lindner Hotel Am Michel – Great Value
- Scandic Hamburg Emporio – Very Popular
- IntercityHotel Hamburg Dammtor-Messe – Great Value
- Le Méridien Hamburg – Luxury
What are the Top Hamburg Port (Harbour) / HafenCity Hotels ?
Although on the River Elbe and over 100 kilometres from the North Sea, Hamburg Port is a major complex housing cargo docks, warehouses and cruise terminals. Hamburg is a popular cruise ship destination, reflected in the facilities available at its passenger terminals. Museums, theatres, bars, restaurants and shops can also be found at the port.
Finest Hotels in The Port area
- Empire Riverside Hotel – Deluxe / Great Value
- Hotel Hafen Hamburg – Most Booked
- Hotel Luckys Inn – Affordable
