Grand Elysee Hotel Hamburg

Renovated in 2014, the Grand Elysee is among Hamburg’s top hotels, offering classic but modern German charm. It has a brick-and-glass exterior, and the Elysee’s slick comforts include an inviting coffee bar right near the entrance where guests can relax and sip a bit before stepping into the elevators. Colorful original paintings and sculptures mark the wide staircases and hallways, and the hotel is home to its own art gallery, which is considered one of the most remarkable private collections in the region. There is a plant-filled atrium next to the lobby, complete with a large bird cage featuring several lovely species. The massive and open Grand Foyer is usually hosting some sort of interesting gathering, and the expansive breakfast buffet is served in La Parc, one of the hotel's six eating places. The Bourbon Street Bar is home to nightly live music, usually jazz, and draws guests and non-guests of the hotel. The meeting rooms and wellness center have dome-like ceilings, and the indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna areas are immaculate and spacious, and full of (as is the custom in Germany) naked people.

The Grand Elysee is located in a safe, quiet residential area right next to the large, tree-lined Moorweide Park, which provides a lovely retreat for a stroll or a jog. Dammtor rail station and the S-Bahn are less than five minutes away on foot, and Old Hamburg, the business district, and the Alster River are within a 15-minute walk. The location provides easy access to the U-Bahn -- the Hamburg airport is about 20 minutes away by car or taxi.

The 511 rooms (including 17 suites) are on the bland side for an advertised five-star property, though they're spacious and perfectly pleasant. All have streamlined wood furnishings, fabrics in warm yellows, greens, and oranges, plaid accents, and quality white linens. The Grand Suite has a large walk-out balcony, an enormous bathroom with dual sinks, jet tub, and glass shower, a mansion-size living room and dining area with vaulted ceilings, and a private office. All rooms have Juliette balconies with lovely views of the city and park, as well as comfortable large beds, which are actually two double beds pushed together. Amenities include minibars, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Each room has plenty of floor space, with a desk, chair, armchair, and large flat-screen TV. Fresh fruit and bottled water are also available in the rooms at no charge. Bathrooms are spacious and modern, with huge glass showers and steel towel warmers. 

A regular stop on city tour buses, the Grand Elysee's art gallery is home to more than 1,000 original works of art – paintings, graphics, sculptures, and photos – and is one of the most highly regarded private collections in the region. The breakfast buffet is enormous, with several tables of fresh pastries, yogurt, meats, and cheeses. Other places to eat at the hotel include the Piazza Romano, whose focus is Italian food, the Bourbon Street Bar, which hosts live music nightly, Brasserie Flum, the Boulevard Cafe, and the Oyster Bar. Guests can use the large indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and fitness area at no extra charge, and the Elyseum Wellness Center and Spa offers various massages and body treatments. There is a large parking garage under the hotel and free Wi-Fi throughout. The property is a major hub for business gatherings and events, as it is home to 30 meeting, conference, and presentation rooms, plus an auditorium.