Renaissance Hamburg Hotel, Hamburg

The Renaissance Hamburg Hotel is part of the worldwide Marriott chain and offers the excellent accommodations that you would expect from Marriott but with the flair that you would normally expect from the Renaissance team. As with other properties in this brand hotels are branded by Renaissance but owned and managed locally adding real local colour to the hotel.

Booking:
Book via the Marriott website, and they guarantee that you will get their cheapest rates (the best rate is usually from 110 euros (approx £60.00) per night) for a twin/double room. Many rates are available and most options come with or without breakfast.

There are single rooms and double rooms (i.e. 1 king bed or two doubles) that would accommodate 2 or 4 respectively. In addition, the corner Junior Suites offer additional space and more often than not a three piece suite.

Booking early is the best way of guaranteeing the cheapest rooms rates. There are also frequently weekend packages that offer great deals including trips including shows and/or meal packages. All prices quoted are per room and not per person.

Location:
The hotel is very well located in a quiet area of the city and is attached to the internationally renowned shopping arcade Hanse Viertel. Transfer time is 20 minutes from the airport with a taxi transfer costing approximately 20 Euros.

The hotel is on the historic Grosse Blecihen and is actually attached to the most famous shopping arcade the Hanseviertel meaning that you don't need to venture outside should you wish to engage in some retails therapy! Hanseviertel affords a range of shops that range from budget to ultra chic, modern and yes…expensive! There is also a Spar supermarket, fantastic bakery for breakfast as well as wine bars, cafes and restaurants.

You are less than 5 minutes away from the main shopping street of Monchenbergstrasse, two minutes away from the Alster lake (wonderful to walk around) and only 5 minutes from the Rathaus square that features markets and attractions and also very close to the business district.

Rooms:
The rooms at the Renaissance Hotel are decorated in rich red and cream colours, and all rooms feature either one king or two double beds. Rooms are on five floors. Several suites are also available. If you want more space, then book a junior suite, which offers a separate seating area (the rooms are spacious, however). The rooms also feature international TV, including pay-for films in German and English, mini-bar, large wardrobe and storage areas, working desk with light, and a comfy chair. The bathrooms are bright, clean, and modern and feature a bath with overhead shower and good toiletries, as well as a hair dryer.

The rooms are spacious and offer air-conditioning, which is adequate--expect it when the temperature boils in Hamburg! The rooms are excellently maintained and exceptionally clean! Rooms at the back of the hotel offers interesting views over the Hanseviertel arcade.

Dining:
The hotel offers Restaurant Esprit, which features a good range of local and international dishes (goose is their specialty), although you can find more authentic, better and cheaper restaurants nearby! The Hotel Esprit bar serves a good range of snacks that offer good value for money with very attentive staff.

The Marriott hotel also offers a lively bar with live music that can be more fun than the reserved Renaissance if there are a group of you.

Breakfast may be included in your room rate and if not you can purchase breakfast for 17Euro and this includes a very wide selection of breads, cheeses, hams, cooked items (cooked just for you by your own chef), drinks including sparkling wine, and much more! Room service breakfast is also a great option, and the early-bird special offering pastries, bread, and coffee for under 7 euros is a great value! I also like breakfast in the nearby Alsterhaus café which offers great value and affords fantastic views over the river Alster.

Dinner is a stylish affair where you can sample fine wines and watching chefs cook in the open style kitchen. International favourites and fish feature strongly on the menu but also look out for local specialities such as Goose!

Other facilities:
The hotel also offers secretarial services and has good conferencing facilities. There is an adequate gym on the fifth floor, and guests can also use the pool facilities at the nearby sister hotel Marriott.

The staff are extremely polite, courteous, and efficient and all speak very good English. The concierge are able to advise on local attractions, as well as booking tickets, taxis, and theatre for you. Anything you need, just ask!

The lobby is large and spacious and offers comfortable relaxation space, including complimentary coffee and pastries in the morning, and you can also take afternoon tea and sample specialty cakes in the afternoons before moving to the hotel bar for cocktail hour! Free internet access and business facilities are also available in the lobby, just ask at reception for more details.