Hotels in Hamburg: eight places to stay, from the Alster to the harbour

The classic view over the Binnenalster

Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten stands on Neuer Jungfernstieg, its facade facing the Binnenalster and the fountain in the middle of the water. The interior is traditional, with panelling, antiques and thick carpets, and many rooms look out over the lake.

This is Hamburg's best-known grand hotel and a safe choice for a first visit or a special occasion. The Rathaus, the shops and the Alster boats are minutes away on foot. If you want contemporary design and a more relaxed feel, look to HafenCity or to Tortue instead.

Curves of white on the Aussenalster

The Fontenay sits on the western shore of the Aussenalster, a white building of flowing curves that stands out among the villas around it. Rooms are bright and generous, with tall windows onto the water or the park, and the top floor holds a bar and restaurant looking across the whole lake.

It is our romantic pick, a hotel where you could spend a whole day between the spa, the pool and the view. It is right for couples and anyone who likes modern luxury. The centre is a long lakeside walk or a short taxi ride away, so you are a little removed from the busiest streets.

The white palace by St. Georg

Hotel Atlantic is a large white grand hotel on the Aussenalster, beside the St. Georg district and a few minutes from the main railway station. The public rooms are full of chandeliers, marble and high ceilings, and many bedrooms overlook the lake.

It is a strong pick for travellers arriving by train who want a classic grand hotel without straying far from the station. St. Georg has excellent cafés and restaurants along Lange Reihe. Some rooms are less recently refurbished than others, so book a lake-view category if the view matters.

Inside the Elbphilharmonie

The Westin Hamburg occupies the floors of the Elbphilharmonie above the concert hall and the public plaza. Rooms have huge windows over the Elbe, the port and the city, and from some you watch ships slide past directly below.

The view is the reason to stay, and nothing else in Hamburg quite matches it. It appeals to concert-goers and anyone who wants a hotel with a story to tell. The interior is modern but more corporate than the building suggests, and it is a fair walk to the nearest U-Bahn.

Sea stories and cabin rooms

25hours Hotel HafenCity carries a maritime theme throughout, with rooms fitted out like ship's cabins, old sea chests and sailors' tales on the walls. It is playful without tipping into gimmick, and the restaurant and bar draw plenty of locals.

This is our family pick, because children tend to love the theme and the rooms are practical. It also works for friends on a weekend away. Miniatur Wunderland, the vast model railway in the Speicherstadt, is a short walk away. If classic calm is what you want, stay by the Alster.

An old trading house by the canals

Ameron Speicherstadt occupies a historic building at the edge of the Speicherstadt, with red-brick warehouses and canals right outside. The interior mixes warm colours, dark wood and details recalling the area's past as a hub for coffee and spice traders.

It is well suited to travellers who want to stay between HafenCity and the old centre, within walking distance of both. In the evening the canals are lit and quiet, one of the loveliest places in the city for an after-dinner stroll. There are fewer restaurants immediately around it than near the Alster.

French flair and colour in the Stadthöfe

Tortue is in the Stadthöfe, a block of historic buildings in Neustadt restored with shops and restaurants. The interior is colourful and lavish, inspired by Paris and Asia, with patterned wallpaper and plush seating.

It gets our vote as the design pick and the place for anyone who wants a hotel with real personality. Its bars and restaurants make it a meeting place in the evening, popular with couples and friends. Live music in the bars means the public spaces are not always quiet.

A former iron foundry in St. Pauli

East Hotel was built inside an old iron foundry in St. Pauli, with high ceilings, soft organic shapes and warm colours in the rooms. Its bar and restaurant are popular meeting places, and the Reeperbahn and music venues are close by.

It takes our value pick among the design hotels, giving you plenty of style for the money and a base in the city's liveliest district. It suits couples and friends who plan to go out at night. Families and early sleepers would do better in another part of town.