Background
The Renaissance Hamburg Hotel occupies an early 20th century building designed by renowned German architect Fritz Hoger, known for his Brick Expressionist style. From 1925, the building served as the headquarters for Broschek publishing, which produced the Die Welt national newspaper until the Second World War.
Renaissance Hotels is a brand within Marriott International’s luxury portfolio. It started life as part of Ramada Inns, before being acquired by Marriott in 1997.
Where is it?
The hotel occupies a fantastic location in the heart of Hamburg. It really couldn’t get much more central, with the upmarket Jungfernstieg promenade around the corner, featuring plenty of shopping, leisure and dining facilities. Both the Gaensemarkt and Jungfernstieg U-Bahn stations are a five-minute walk away.
What’s it like?
On the outside, the century-old building offers grand heritage vibes, while the inside has a buzzy, modern feel throughout.
The entrance lobby area is quite cramped, with a few standing check-in desks clustered together near the doorway and a small 24/7 amenity store located just off the reception. This area could easily become crowded if lots of people arrived together (check-in starts from 4pm). However the service was excellent, with engaged, friendly staff.
Rooms
The hotel offers 205 guest rooms including 23 suites, ranging from 20 – 150 sqm. I stayed in a Superior Room, which felt very spacious at 30 sqm.
I really enjoyed the design aesthetic in the rooms, a kind of ‘cool cargo chic’, with lots of references to the nearby Port of Hamburg – Germany’s largest seaport. Eye-catching details included a bedside table made to look like an old wooden container (shipped from the Port of Kolkata), cargo font typography emblazoned on the walls and an industrial-themed headboard. The colour scheme featured calming dark greys, navy and a light khaki on the walls, with lots of rustic wood finishes for the TV stand, tables and wardrobe (which featured an iron and ironing board, safe, comfy dressing gowns, tea/coffee and fridge). Other nice design details included the Frankfurt skyline on the lampshade.
The large kingsize bed was soft and comfortable with a featherbed mattress. Convenient charging ports and master light panels were by the bed, along with personal reading lights, while a large 55-inch wall mounted flatscreen was opposite – although the number of English-language channels was limited.
The work desk was well-designed for business travellers, with a large glass pane floating between two pillars of wood providing ample room. A phone, selection of USB and European plug sockets were easily accessible, while a Nespresso coffee machine and complimentary capsules was also perfectly located within arm’s reach of the desk. Wifi came in two tiers, with a complimentary wireless connection, or a high-speed connection option for an additional fee. Near the desk was a waste bin, with a separate compartment for recyclable materials.
Two large windows were another striking feature of the room, allowing lots of daylight and nice views over the commercial square. The windows are soundproofed, and can also be opened – an uncommon feature in hotels these days. The curtains continued the design language, with a utilitarian striped nylon fabric.
The bathroom was a decent size, and again continued the industrial design theme, with a neon strip light in the shower (echoing the BRICKS bar), plus a manhole drain cover design detail in the floor. Large amenities from Tokyo Milk were in the shower, along with soap, body lotion, shower cap and mouthwash.
Food and drink
BRICKS restaurant is the hotel’s dining space. An extensive breakfast buffet is served daily from 6.30am-11.30am (7am-12pm at weekends), followed by weekday lunch (12-2.30pm) and dinner (5-10pm, Tuesday-Friday). It’s a lively space, with an international menu featuring vegetarian and vegan options.
The separate BRICKS bar area, located behind reception, is a very inviting space, with funky neon lights, eclectic furnishings and a modern aesthetic that attracted a vibrant evening crowd for drinks and bar snacks. Gin and whiskey lovers are particularly well catered to. BRICKS bar is open daily from 11am-midnight.
Leisure
There is a bright and airy gym located on the 6th floor, which offers a selection of equipment and is open 24/7.
Meetings and events
There are eight meeting rooms available, comprising 454 sqm of space, with the largest capable of hosting up to 120 people.
Verdict
I really enjoyed the distinctive design of this property and had a very comfortable stay. Dining options were limited, but this was offset by the fantastic central location, with lots of nearby options to explore.
Best for:
Rooms with character in the heart of Hamburg
Don’t miss
A signature cocktail in BRICKS bar
Price
Internet rates for a mid-week stay in a Superior room in July start from €279. (Entry level starts from €199 )
Contact
Renaissance Hamburg Hotel, Grosse Bleichen, Hamburg, 20354, Germany; +49 40 349180; marriott.co.uk
