Where to Stay in Hamburg, Germany - A Complete Guide
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Here’s my guide to the best accommodation in Hamburg, featuring options for all budgets.
Located in the north of Germany, Hamburg is a large port city with more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam and London combined.
Here you’ll find the world’s largest miniature railway (which is much more impressive than it sounds), the oldest opera house in Germany, and plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Take a cruise along the harbour, visit the historic warehouse district and learn about Hamburg’s history in one of the many museums - there’s even one all about chocolate.
Here’s my accommodation guide to Germany’s second largest city, featuring a range of options for all budgets.
At a Glance…
Best hostel: Generator Hostel Hamburg
Best budget hotel: CAB20
Best mid-range hotel: Nikolai Hotel Hamburg
Best luxury hotel: Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
Best Airbnb: This adorable two bedroom coachhouse
Areas of Hamburg
Hamburg is split into seven boroughs and within those there are more than 100 neighbourhoods, also known as districts.
Hamburg-Mitte is the name of the city centre, and it’s here that you’ll find most of Hamburg’s tourist attractions and hotels. The rest of the city’s boroughs include:
Altona
Eimsbüttel
Hamburg-Nord
Wandsbek
Bergedorf
Harburg
There’s lots to explore in Hamburg, and I would recommend that first time visitors focus on the following districts:
Altstadt & Neustadt: Hamburg’s old town
St. Georg: For restaurants, cafes and bars
Speicherstadt: The historic warehouse district
St. Pauli: The red light district with bars, clubs and a lively atmosphere
HafenCity: For the harbour and modern architecture
Hostels
As with any large European city, Hamburg has a wide variety of budget friendly hostels available for tourists. These provide a low cost and comfortable way to explore the city - no expensive hotels required!
Located next to Hamburg’s main train station, the Generator Hostel Hamburg makes a great base for exploring the city. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with both dormitories and private rooms available, as well as a lounge and bar with an outdoor terrace.
Another option with private and shared rooms, Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel is popular with female travellers, who report that the women’s dormitories are located on their own floor. There’s a shared kitchen, lounge, bar and terrace available for guest use.
The Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is located in the quirky Schanzenviertel district, where you’ll find a variety of boutiques, bars, restaurants and cafes. This hostel doesn’t have dormitories, but instead has a variety of rooms suitable for large groups. Rooms for groups of 8, 6, 4 and 2 guests are available.
MEININGER Hamburg City Center also features rooms for large groups including 8, 6, 5, 4, and 3 people, as well as mixed dormitory options.
Finally, the Arena Hostel Hamburg is a one star option with good reviews. Rooms are available for families and groups, as well as mixed dormitory rooms.
Hotels in Hamburg
Budget Hotels
A step up from a hostel but still low cost, Hamburg has a variety of budget hotels for travellers to choose from.
A well known budget brand, the Ibis Budget Hamburg City is located five minutes walk from Hamburg Central Train Station and the old town. The hotel is clean and comfortable, and a breakfast buffet is available each morning for an additional cost.
CAB20 refer to their rooms as cabins, but they remind me more of the capsule hotels that you find in Japan. Each of the rooms are modern and soundproof, with free wifi and access to private and clean shower cubicles. Outside of the rooms, the hotel’s facilities also include a trendy rooftop lounge, bar and lobby to relax in.
Another recognisable brand, Holiday Inn - The Niu, Yen Hamburg City is located a short walk away from the city’s central train station. The hotel has a bar, and a morning breakfast buffet is available for an additional cost.
Similar to the previous options, Prize by Radisson, Hamburg City boasts a breakfast buffet and bar, with clean and modern rooms.
This final low-cost option, Garner Hotel Hamburg Nord, is based in the northeast of Hamburg. The rooms are compact but contain everything you need - including a flat screen television, wifi and air conditioning. Breakfast is also available.
Mid-Range Hotels
Moving into the mid-range category, these hotels have slightly more to offer than the budget recommendations and are all rated four stars.
My personal recommendation, I stayed at the wonderful Hotel Wedina during my own visit to Hamburg.
As the city’s designated literary hotel, residents have access to a wonderful library that’s stocked with more than 300 books. Many of the authors have stayed in the hotel themselves, and all of the books are available for guests to borrow.
The hotel is spread across several buildings, and residents have access to a restaurant and garden in the main (red) building. You’ll find the hotel in the St Georg district of central Hamburg.
Read my full review of Hotel Wedina here.
Barceló Hamburg is located in the centre of Hamburg, and boasts modern interiors at a low price. Guests have access to a restaurant, bar and fitness centre complete with a sauna.
The Ruby Lotti Hotel is situated 9km away from Hamburg Airport, making it the ideal place to stay before a flight. Facilities include a terrace as well as a restaurant and bar.
For travellers who would prefer to stay near the central train station, the Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown is a great option. Guests have access to a spa and fitness centre, in addition to the restaurant and bar.
The Nikolai Hotel Hamburg is a Leonardo Limited Edition property that’s slightly more expensive than the others on this list but totally worth it. With stunning decor and comfortable rooms, this is a great choice for travellers who prefer hotels with a more luxurious feel.
Luxury Hotels
For those who are looking to book a memorable stay, here’s a selection of Hamburg’s finest five star hotels.
Starting things off with the largest privately run five star hotel in Hamburg, the Grand Elysee is a gorgeous option with three restaurants, two bars, a cafe and a spa complete with a swimming pool, saunas, a hot tub and gym.
For a riverside location and Michelin-starred restaurant, check out Hotel Louis C. Jacob. This 200 year old hotel features walk in wardrobes and Nespresso machines in all of the rooms, while the Jacobs Restaurant serves food with a French influence and has access to an extensive wine cellar.
The elegant Hotel Atlantic is part of Marriott’s Autograph collection and located just 500m from the central train station. Each floor here is themed around a different colour, and the restaurant serves dishes that are local to Hamburg. A private cinema is also available for guests to book for up to 12 people at an additional cost.
Please note that as of February 2025 the spa and pool is closed for renovation.
The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is a highly rated Hamburg hotel featuring a restaurant with two Michelin stars. This incredible property has a total of eight restaurants, a spa and wellness centre, and is located a short walk away from the State Opera House and the Hamburg Exhibition Centre.
Finally, make sure to consider the Fontenay Hamburg, which has two swimming pools and stunning lake views from selected rooms. Make the most of the hotel’s fantastic rooftop spa and dine in the gourmet restaurant which serves cuisine that is local to northern Germany.
Airbnbs in Hamburg
If you’d prefer to rent a property rather than book a hotel, there’s plenty to choose from in Hamburg. Here are my top picks.
This Brooklyn style loft is located in the centre of the city, offering two bedrooms, a separate lounge area and full kitchen. The decor is unique and well finished, with lots of light and high ceilings.
For something with a cosier feel but still large enough for a group, try this loft apartment instead. You’ll have access to a living room, kitchen with dining table and three separate bedrooms - just ten minutes away from Hamburg’s central train station. It even has a private courtyard.
This highly rated Airbnb has one bedroom, making it ideal for solo travellers or couples. An additional bed can be included if required. If you’re looking for a larger one bedroom property, then you may like this maisonette loft apartment, which has gorgeous decor and a small courtyard.
If you’re after something unique, then I recommend this lovely two bedroom coachhouse. The decor is adorable and the small apartment has everything you would need for a short break.
Have you ever visited Hamburg? Leave a comment and let me know!
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