Barcelo Hamburg

Barcelo Hamburg’s design is starkly modern yet inviting, with plenty of stylish spaces to relax in. The sleek lobby is cloaked in neutral tan and gray hues, offering both large open spaces and small nooks filled with gray contemporary sofas, electric fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs. There are a few areas with large brightly colored sofas and modern abstract art pieces on the walls. The restaurant is equally stylish, with raw wood floors, dark tables, red booths, and large drum lights illuminating the space. Things shift to a funkier vibe in the wine bar with soft neon lighting, cut-out ceilings, and a large wine display. Even the outdoor patio is a design-conscious space with comfy striped orange seating and potted greenery balancing the urban concrete walls and wood deck. This property draws mainly couples and business travelers attracted by the central location, sleek design, and business-friendly amenities. 

The hotel is located in central Hamburg, in an area dotted with notable attractions, restaurants, and cafes, and just a six-minute walk from the main train station. The shores of Lake Alster are just a block away. Kuntshalle Hamburg takes six minutes to reach on foot, while upscale shopping at Neuer Wall is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Speicherstadt warehouse district is a 17-minute walk away. The hotel is well serviced by public transportation, with a bus that’s two minutes away and a U-Bahn station that’s a six-minute walk, giving easy access to other top attractions like Reeperbahn, the city’s red light district (17 minutes away), and Miniatur Wunderland (17 minutes away). It’s about a 25-minute drive to Hamburg Airport, or 36 minutes via public transportation.

Barcelo Hamburg’s rooms and suites are minimalist in decor, with light wood floors, blond wood streamlined furniture, white beds, gray curtains, and gray or dark orange statement walls. The lack of design elements or art can make the rooms feel a bit stark, though they're spacious, clean, and modern. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer great views of the city, especially in the Alster Suite which has a balcony (though no seating). Junior Suites and Suites add living rooms with sofas. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, writing desks, iPod docks, safes, air-conditioning, and kettles, while Suites also include coffeemakers. Sleek bathrooms include Pure Herbs toiletries, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and glass showers with half doors, but be aware that they’re designed as an open floor plan that doesn’t offer much privacy. Wi-Fi is free, but guest report slow connection speeds. 

Barcelo Hamburg’s centerpiece is its stylish eatery and wine bar. The 1700 Restaurant offers a menu of international dishes and tapas, plus a breakfast buffet is available in the mornings -- but it's pricey. The wine bar is stocked with 1,700 wines to choose from, and has a cozy outdoor patio and lounge. While there's no spa or pool on-site, Barcelo offers a small fitness room equipped with three cardio machines as well as a sauna. Business facilities include six fully equipped meeting rooms and a business center with a single desktop. The hotel bills itself as business-friendly, but its slow and basic free Wi-Fi is irritating -- while faster internet incurs an extra charge. Underground parking is available at a daily fee.