Review: Park Hyatt Hamburg (Germany)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today (January 30, 2019): Review of Park Hyatt Hamburg (Germany).

• Location: Google maps
• Hotel website: Park Hyatt Hamburg
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Hyatt Prive

Located in the historic Levantehaus building in the heart of the city, the Park Hyatt Hamburg hotel features Hanseatic architecture and maritime elegance. The 283 guest rooms, suites, and modern residential-style apartments offer the comforts of home with refined luxury touches. The five-star property – which also features a world-class restaurant and tranquil spa – combines old-world hospitality with modern 21st-century touches and impeccable service.

Have you ever stayed at Park Hyatt Hamburg? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Park Hyatt Hamburg enjoys a central location on a cobblestone shopping promenade in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, a city teeming with fascinating sightseeing and cultural attractions. The property is a short, scenic stroll from Alster Lake, the vibrant Mönckebergstrasse shopping district and the exclusive design stores of Neuer Wall. Other must-see attractions are also close by, including the striking architecture of HafenCity with the impressive Elbphilharmonie concert hall – the new landmark of Hamburg – and the historical warehouse district, located on the city’s picturesque waterfront. Important venues such as the Hamburger Messe, the Congress Center Hamburg or the Barclaycard Arena Hamburg are also easily accessible.

• The five-star Park Hyatt Hamburg hotel is housed in a 1912 Art Deco building, directly above the exclusive Levantehaus shopping arcade. The landmark complex, with its striking red-brick facade, was built in 1911 as the office and trade building “Hubertushof” by the local architect Franz Bach. From 1995 to 1997 the building was completely renovated and refurbished. The lower floors were developed into an upscale shopping mall with numerous cafés and restaurants, while the upper floors were transformed into the Park Hyatt hotel. You can enter the hotel either via the high-end mall from the Mönckebergstrasse, or by the main entrance on a quiet street at the other side of the building.

• A set of elevators shuttles guests from the hotel’s small foyer on the ground floor to the main lobby on the second floor. The circular shaped lobby is centered around a floor-to-ceiling doughnut hole opening, which extends all the way from the ground floor in the shopping mall to a beautiful stained-glass window on the hotel’s rooftop. The lobby features three check-in desks on one side and a set of glass elevators on the other side, which go the guest room floors on the upper floors, hereby offering a view of the Levantehaus’ inner courtyard. The lobby has a classic decor, with immaculate parquet flooring, a couple of lounge areas, some colorful art works on the wall, and some lovely flower arrangements.

• The property features 252 spacious guest rooms, including 16 Park Suites, 4 Park Executive Suites and 1 Presidential Suite. Some of the accommodations offer a view of the cityscape, while others look out over the hotel’s inner courtyard. During my visit, I was upgraded to a high-ceilinged Deluxe Room, which featured one king bed, a work desk, a lounger, and a small closet with a large TV on top of it. The open plan bathroom was equipped with two sinks and an enclosed wet area, which comprised a marble bath with waterfall shower and Asian-inspired drop-edge tub. The decor was classic, with plenty of use of honey woods and a neutral color palette of buttercream, taupe and denim.

• Hotel guests have access to the Club Olympus Spa & Fitness, a large wellness center located in the shopping mall’s basement. Representing an oasis of tranquility and zen in the heart of the city center but far away from Hamburg’s hustle and bustle, it’s a great place to recharge your batteries with a variety of massages and cosmetic treatments. Omorovicza and Comfort Zone beauty products are used for the treatments. The spa features a 20 m (66 ft) indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and sanarium as well as a steam bath and a sea climate sole. The spa’s large fitness center is equipped with several state-of-the-art weight and exercise machines. There is also a yoga studio with classes offered daily.

• Farm-to-table cuisine is the key concept at the hotel’s signature restaurant Apples, located on the lobby floor. An open show kitchen allows guests to follow the preparation of innovative regional cuisine and there’s also a 4 m (13 ft) long chef’s table, where up to 12 guests can be seated as they enjoy the personal care of the head chef. Every morning, a lavish buffet breakfast is served at Apples restaurant, in addition to a selection of hot à la carte items. Next door is the slightly less formal Apples Bar (which has a comprehensive vodka selection and decent cocktails), a smokers lounge, and the Park Lounge. The latter is a pleasant spot to have afternoon tea, while enjoying the open fireplace and views onto Mönckebergstrasse.

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CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The Park Hyatt Hamburg is a great place to stay, thanks to its central location, spacious rooms, extensive facilities, and excellent service. Unfortunately, it’s not the best hotel in town anymore nor the most amazing property in the Park Hyatt chain, and it needs to fix a few things if it wants to shine again:

• Park Hyatt Hamburg is an older property and it does show its age in certain areas, especially in the guest room floors and the accommodations, where the wallpaper, furniture and carpeting feel old-fashioned. The good news is that the hotel management is in talks with the owners regarding a large (and long needed) renovation project that includes the guest rooms and the other hotel facilities.

• The property doesn’t have a wow factor, which you often find at other hotels of the Park Hyatt brand. Some guests may feel a little disappointed at this price tag, especially since innovative design – one of the key elements of every Park Hyatt property – is lacking here. That said, you can often find great deals at the hotel, especially during weekends, with rates often as low as 150 euros per night (it’s definitely one of the most affordable Park Hyatts around).

• The decor feels a little oppressive due to the lack of day light in the public areas (most spaces look out on a courtyard or the boulevards and streets surrounding the hotel) and the use of wood everywhere.

• The hotel spa (with swimming pool) is located in the basement of the shopping mall, and to get there from your room, you have to take two elevators and cross the entire lobby (which can feel annoying and awkward as other hotel guests at check in or out watch you pass by in a bathrobe).

• Most rooms look out over a courtyard (with no view to speak), although those rooms have the advantage that they don’t face the street and don’t suffer from traffic noise at night.

• The area surrounding the hotel can feel dead on Sunday, when all the stores are closed. Also the hotel is far from most nightlife.

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MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 6/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 7/10
• Food: 9/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: 8/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 7/10
• Overall experience: good: 7,5/10

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TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Park Hyatt Hamburg (and/or receive many free perks).

• Save money: booking via Hyatt Prive will get you the following benefits at Park Hyatt Hamburg:
  • $100 USD property credit per room per stay
  • One category room upgrade confirmed within 24 hours of booking
  • Daily full breakfast for two
  • Early check-in (from 9am) and late check-out (to 4pm) subject to availability
  • Welcome gift and letter

• Save money: make use of Hyatt’s best rate guarantee. If you find a better rate, the Hyatt Hotel Group will match it and give you $50 USD toward your next stay.

• Save money: elite members of Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, are well treated, with – amongst other benefits – complimentary room upgrade (when available), early check-in or late check-out  (when available), and free breakfast. Click here to read my review of the World of Hyatt program (with pros & cons).

• Room tip: book or ask for a room on a higher floor or away from the street to avoid some noise disturbance at night.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

Hamburg is best visited between April and May (spring) or September through November (autumn), right before or directly after the summertime high tourist season. You’ll contend with fewer tourists, enjoy somewhat mild temperatures (the city’s weather is notoriously finicky), and also experience Hamburg as the locals do, at its laid-back best.

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HOW TO GET THERE

Hamburg Airport is about 25 minutes away by car, taxi, or S-Bahn, and the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) is within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The Monckebergstrasse U-Bahn station is even closer, just diagonal from the hotel.

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PHOTOS

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