Yoho is the abbreviation for the 'Youth Hotel' and it's located in Hamburg. I'll admit that when I was told to book it for a visit earlier this week, I did worry that it might be like a youth hostel. Perhaps before I checked out in the morning they would make me clean my room or wash the dishes. Fortunately neither was the case, and despite the strange name, I found a rather charming modern hotel located in a nice old historic building. The main criteria by which they justify the name is that they offer slightly lower prices for guests who are under 26. Sadly nothing I can benefit from any more. It's not - so far as I can tell - in any way linked with the Yo! Sushi brand so that may be a relief to some and a disappointment to others.
My Visit
I went to the hotel with two colleagues from our Bremen office and we arrived quite late in the evening. The hotel was in a pleasant area of the city with lots of nice old buildings around, including the very pretty Jerusalem Hospital which stands right opposite the Yoho. I'm told that the area is close to the University and an area called something like the Schanzenviertel which one colleague described as 'young and lively' and another as 'likely to get you killed'. I can't comment on either claim but the area around the hotel was very pleasant.
We found space to park on the street outside but there did seem to be some kind of car park behind the hotel but we couldn't find out how to get into it. Entrance is up a flight of stone steps and through grand high glazed doors. Directly in front of us we found a large dining area which seemed to be full and looked like it was hosting some kind of Christmas party. Reception was tucked off to the left and the bar/bistro was to the right.Check in was quick and easy and because I'd checked on the hotel's website beforehand, I knew they had free internet access (my favourite type) and so I asked for access codes for the three of us. I took the lift to the third floor and found my room which was located on the back of the hotel and was exceptionally quiet.
The Room
The room wasn't enormous but was entirely big enough. The bed was only a single, but seemed to be a wider than normal single. There were two big fluffy pillows, one large, one small, and I struggled to interpret quite how they were to be used. There was a folded quilt and a fluffy blanket draped across the bottom. There was a small slightly old-fashioned television, a desk with internet cable, a built in wardrobe and a small lump of wood beside the bed that served as a sort of bedside table. It was large enough for my book and my alarm clock but not much more. The bathroom was tiny but stylish and equipped with an expensive-looking sink unit. The curtains were thin and not very light-proof but I was barely in the room during daylight so that wasn't a problem and the windows had louvred shutters which were a nice feature. So in summary, a small but comfortable room with just the basics that you really need.
Internet access wasn't as straightforward as it should have been as someone had unplugged the router under the table and I had to go through two cycles of "switch it off and switch it on again" to get it working.
The wi-fi signal had been inadequate and only the hard-wired alternative was effective.
Eat the World - or just bits of it
As I mentioned, by the time we arrived it was quite late and certainly too late to go out and explore. We met at about 10pm in the bar/bistro which was thankfully still open which is not something you can always take for granted in Germany where many places expect you to eat at six and be tucked up in bed by nine. We were offered a menu with a massive winelist but only a single food option - a set menu of 5 courses which represented a lot more food than we really wanted. When we asked if there was anything else, they checked we were hotel guests and then brought us a shorter more snack-oriented menu which was only available for guests. I guess the public in general are only allowed in if they're willing to buy the €28 set meal. We ordered beer and wine and took a look at the room which was very striking and atmospheric.
The wine list included a lot of Lebanese wines but I was reminded of a mix between Moroccan and Turkish design with a slice of the 'Rose of Islam' design in stucco around the wall and lights that were like scaled down versions of the ones in the Blue Mosque. According the website it's actually supposed to be a Syrian restaurant so we were more or less getting the right sort of vibe if not spot on with the geography. The tables were low with low chairs and lots of cushions around the walls. This gave the impression of sitting on the floor without the discomfort that such arrangements always necessitate. We ordered a mixed dish of vegetarian bits and bobs (I'd say 'meze' but I'm not entirely sure that's the right term) and a plate of falafel and we shared the two dishes between three of us and it was plenty. The food came with a basket of fresh flat bread which was very tasty too.
Breakfast - food of the gods
Because we'd been working so late the day before, we allowed ourselves the luxury of a late start and didn't meet for breakfast until 9 am. Truth be told, I didn't actually get out of bed until 15 minutes earlier and I had slept like a dead man due to the extreme quietness of the hotel. I live in a very quite village so I'm used to peace and quiet but I usually get woken early by a cat fight or cats begging for their breakfast or a cuddle so an unbroken night of total peace was lovely.
Breakfast was in a long room with a big wooden table down the middle. The room was decorated with what I thought of as large Moroccan metal-work lamps and fret work panels on the walls. Most of the food was laid out on a small buffet table at one end, with juice on the central table and coffee off to one side. We were each brought a place of cheese and a plate of meats as well. Nice touches included big juicy black olives and some very odd cheese as well as fresh fruit salad and thick creamy Greek style yoghurt; as you can see, more mixed geography on the breakfast table.
Worth it?
After breakfast we checked out and headed back to work.
My single room had been charged at 95€ whilst my colleagues had been charged 10€ less which I can't blame the hotel for – it's probably the fault of the rubbish travel agent we use at our company in the UK. At 85€ I'd say it was good value but the extra 10 I was charged pushed it to the 'slightly more expensive than expected' caategory. Dinner and drinks the night before were also on my bill at 39€.
Whilst the hotel rooms are rather basic, they are quiet and comfortable and the restaurant was good for a one-night visit (but I think you'd struggle to eat there for a longer stay). I would highly recommend this place for a short stay in Hamburg, especially if you can get a good price.
Yoho Ho(tel) - Where Santa stays in Hamburg? 
