Hamburg city hotel with a nod to the local shipping industry, full of color and quirky details

25hours Hotel Hafencity / Hamburg / Germany

The 25hours chain is counting to grow and is one of those chains to keep an eye on. They are balancing their growth with still creating hotels that are interesting and unique, staying well away from the worst hotel word in my book - generic. Proof for this is in one of their most recent openings, the 25hours Hotel Paper Island in Copenhagen, where I haven’t stayed yet, but where I can tell from what I have seen on social media that it is a hotel worth visiting. 25hours are currently running 17 hotels, most in European cities but with one in Jakarta and one in Dubai. They were recently acquired by Ennismore which is the chain that run other great hospitality brands such as Hoxton and Mama Shelter. But back to the hotel which is in focus in this post, the 25hours Hotel Hafencity in Hamburg.

This hotel stays true to its location which is right in the harbor area of Hamburg, in what is called Hafen City. A newly developed area which used to be part of the port. This connection has been used as the foundation for the design where the elevators look like harbour freight elevators, there are photos of port workers and the sauna on the top floor is an actual shipping container that has been repurposed. In some cases a theme can become too gimmicky but here it is just perfect since there is a true local connection and it is done with taste and humor.

There are 170 rooms and they come in different categories. We stayed in a Medium Plus room which was very spacious and had some quirks that I really like, such as the tattoo inspired wall paper, the orange red shower and the wall-to-ceiling windows flooding the room with light.

One thing that stand out to me at this hotel compared to many other urban hotels is the amount of space for the common areas where you can play games, relax, listen to music or use one of the vintage type writers to write something profound. They also have a packed activities program where you can do anything from learn to make the perfect pizza, take yoga class or join a pottery workshop. I know fabulous Hamburg is waiting at your doorstep but I really want to salute hotels that are trying to do something different.

The hotel is located in Hafencity, a new addition to downtown Hamburg, which holds a mix of offices, hotels, homes and the famous Elbe Philharmonic.

The interior is created around the shipping industry and the importance of that industry for Hamburg and this part of town especially.

A minibar in the lobby, but not for drinks but for sweets.

The hotel shop is stacked from floor to ceiling with… well, basically everything you might imagine.

The desk is made to look like an old coffer.

The wallpaper is inspired by sailor’s tattoos which fits well with the theme of the hotel.

Huge fan of the choice of tiles for the shower.

This little quirky detail is so great. Instead of just one message to hang on your door if you want your room cleaned or not, there are 25 (since the hotel is called 25hours). This was my favorite.

On the top floor, there is a fitness area combined with souna.

This is so great! The sauna is in an old shipping container.

The entire first floor is for play. There are classic video games…

There is a lounge with books and magazines…

…a music room where you can play old vinyl records…

…and even an area with type writers where you can write someone a classic letter.

Hamburg is very much still a harbor town, the largest and most busy in Europe. And right around the corner from the hotel you have the mighty Elbe river which connects Hamburg with the North Sea and the world.

I love this building. It is the stunning Elbe Philharmonie.

In the centre of town, there is a lake called Alster where the Hamburgers :-) spend lazy Summer days.

We tend to stop by Hans im Glück when in Germany. A solid burger chain.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are coming to Hamburg and you are looking for a hotel that is centrally located but in a calmer, more residential corner of town. If you like an urban hotel that stands out (here it is the shipping theme) and has a lot of fun little quirks and a lot of space where you can hang out, I am sure you will like 25hours Hotel Hafencity.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the sauna located on the top floor with views of the mighty Elbe River. I also must mention the first floor where you can spend a rainy afternoon or two. You’ll find games, magazines and a music room. Such a great idea!

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to take a walk around Lake Alster if the weather is nice. Located in the centre of town, this is a place where the locals come to run, walk, lounge by the water or go out on the lake with boats and canoes.

If you like this hotel you might also like:

25hours Altes Hafenamt / Hamburg, Germany

Hotel Daniel / Vienna, Austria

Max Brown Hotel Ku’damm / Berlin, Germany