Since the early 2017 opening of Hamburg’s new concert hall, Elbphilharmonie, Germany’s second-biggest city has seen an unprecedented tourism boom. I couldn’t wait to find out what all the excitement was about, and where better to stay than in the city’s newest and most luxurious five-star hotel?
When I exited the Jungfernstieg underground station at Hamburg’s Alster Lake, I scanned the horizon and, in an instant, found what I was looking for: Sparkling across the water in the distance was The Fontenay, which opened on March 20 this year. Later, when seeing The Fontenay up close, the words “shiny” and “round” popped into my head — although the architect would probably be horrified at such simplicity.
Located in an expansive green area with 130-year-old plane trees, the building consists of three intertwining circles and impresses with large glass surfaces. Everything appears to be fluid and in motion, and there are no straight lines. The sculptural shape also means the hotel has no backside, and most of the 130 rooms, including 17 suites, have balconies and lake views.
The hotel building features unusually curvaceous architecture.
Credit: 2018 The Fontenay
The Fontenay’s 22-foot-wide driveway had a Ferrari and several BMWs parked, so I felt a bit awkward arriving on foot. The warm welcome at the check-in, however, dissolved away all my shyness, and I was escorted to room 121 by a front desk representative who gave me a rundown of the sophisticated room features including curtains, air conditioning, heating, satellite television and lights, all remote-controlled. The room itself was generously sized and left nothing to wish for: a walk-in wardrobe, parquet flooring, a sofa seating area, a desk, a safe, a minibar and a private balcony. Additionally, a cream-colored bathroom featured a vanity unit, underfloor heating and even more buttons for music, room temperature control and the rain shower’s mood lighting.
A welcome piece of apple pie sat on the coffee table, and I unwrapped the complimentary hotel slippers and put up my feet. But, soon after, I left to see the property’s famous atrium where, rising six stories high, panels of varying shades and LED strips surround a light installation by the Dutch firm Brand van Egmond.
The atrium’s central light installation is a beautiful sight to behold.
Credit: 2018 The FontenayThe Fontenay is a “made-to-measure” property — the curvaceous architecture commands that all furniture is custom-made.
“The shape of the hotel is so strong that it’s only natural that every piece of furniture must take this into consideration,” said Jan Störmer, architect for The Fontenay.
From the atrium lounge, three relaxation spaces break off. The Day Bar offers exclusive Fontenay products such as pralines, wine and olive oil. The library is stocked with more than 1,000 carefully chosen books and is very inviting with its cozy fireplace. And finally, there is the Smoker’s Room, where a small but premium selection of cigars is on offer.
Picking up my swim gear along the way, the hotel’s rooftop was my next stop. Often hidden in the basement in other hotels, the spa is one of The Fontenay’s outstanding features, with stunning vistas and an indoor/outdoor infinity pool. As I swam in the water, the pool’s edge seemed to merge with nearby Alster Lake, and I enjoyed views of the buzzing city life around the shore.
After a busy day in the city, I went for a nightcap at The Fontenay Bar and admired the 320-degree views of Hamburg from the terrace. Inside, the cosmopolitan atmosphere — dark herringbone parquet floors, walls clad in Makassar ebony wood and a monolithic bar — was complemented by the mixologist’s cocktail list. I took a liking to the menu’s “Stay Classy’ section,” which includes bar drinks dating back to 1862 and before, such as the Boulevardier, Negroni and Knickerbocker a la Monsieur.
Close to midnight, I returned to my room. The bed was extra-comfortable and the blankets and pillows super-soft. The lights had been dimmed, the automatic curtains had been closed and a toffee had been placed on my pillow.
Hamburg might be buzzing these days, but you wouldn’t know it from my guestroom. Although I usually struggle to fall asleep on the first night in a new place, I was fast asleep within minutes — five-star accommodation at its best.
The Details
The Fontenay
www.thefontenay.de
