8.5 / 10 for Fraser Suites Hamburg
It is in a former tax center (Direction des Finances) that the Fraser Suites Hamburg opened its doors in May 2019. Erected at the beginning of the 20th century along a canal, Alsterfleet, this imposing red brick building declines neo-baroque and Art Deco style.
A bit overwhelming, it had to show the wealth of the city.
It succeeded.
There is something brazenly
the
Great
Gatsby
in the breathtaking entrance hall, clad in marble.
We find this grandeur in the maddening number of windows that total 1,500 square meters.
A great challenge to keep them clean.
But Fraser Hospitality has seen others.
Since its debut in 1998 in Singapore, it has grown from 412 hotel apartments to 23,600 worldwide.
The group also operates two brands of upscale boutique hotels in the United Kingdom, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.
Read also: Industrial heritage and maze of canals: Hamburg, rust and water
9/10 The situation
In the city center, the hotel is at the foot of the Rödingsmarkt skytrain station.
It is a short walk from Neuer Wall, where the finest boutiques line up, and a short stroll from HafenCity, the Elbphilharmonie and Speicherstadt.
It is a good starting point for strolling along the canals to the false Venetian Alsterarkaden (Arcades of the Alster) and strolling along the interior lake of the Alster.
Read also: Rooms with a view, terraces and concept stores, Hamburg in 30 addresses by the water
9/10 The decor
It is grandiose.
The building being classified, the whole has been carefully restored.
The common areas on the first floor are the most stunning.
A must see is the meeting room and its original table, astonishing in its generous proportions.
Also worth seeing are the three former offices which follow one another and are now used as a working, resting or reading space.
There is a cheerful fireplace, the sound of the creaking parquet floor, comfortable armchairs and books that you borrow as you wish ... In the senator's former office, the atmosphere deliciously combines the past and the present, tradition and design.
Along the main corridor, circular like the front of the entrance, the wooden doors of the offices of yesteryear succeed one another.
We didn't touch them - but we doubled them for more privacy.
On the floor, the old blue tiling sets the general tone of the colors in the bedrooms.
The masterful staircase leading from the first floor to the second unrolls a beautiful original red linoleum that is no longer made - the hotel was fortunately forbidden to remove it.
All this gives a very unique atmosphere to the place.
Some Hamburgers do not hesitate to return to take an amused look: this is where some came to pay their taxes.
IN IMAGES, open the doors of the Fraser Suites Hamburg hotel
1/6 - In the city center, the hotel is at the foot of the Rödingsmarkt skytrain station.
Fraser Suites Hamburg / Photo press
8/10 The bedrooms
The hotel has 154 rooms and suites, not one of which is alike - the building's falsely triangular shape is to blame.
Apart from a few, they all have a kitchenette, which is very practical for long stays.
All have a (free) minibar stocked with water, Fritz Cola (a brand of soda from Hamburg), rhubarb juice, and Ratsherrn beer.
Some rooms are duplex (like the G05 for example), others have a view of the canal at or near water level (B514)… And some look out onto the street and the skytrain.
In these, the screeching of the brakes on the rails does not disturb at all, the double glazing being excellent.
We may be in a former tax building, we will sleep very well on both ears.
What about insomniacs?
They will stay connected to their phone or computer since the headboards have electrical outlets.
As for the decor, it tends to be blue and, for some rooms, remains a little cold.
As if something was missing.
We hardly know what since everything is there.
Even popcorn and a "clean hands" gel from L'Occitane as a welcome.
9/10 Service and facilities
Initially designed for short- and long-stay business travelers, the hotel has all the essentials: ultra-fast wifi, Nespresso machine, 24-hour room service, ironing board and iron in the cupboards ... Faced with the pandemic, the hotel has been adapted to family leisure travelers, the size of the rooms allowing this.
Good to know, it also welcomes dogs.
8/10 At the bar and at the table
The bar and restaurant are tucked away opposite the entrance, in the old library which, in the past, was under a glass roof.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to put it back so that the room was covered with a ceiling.
Too bad.
However, the original shelves of the library remain.
We have breakfast there in a very successful neo-Art Deco style.
The staff is very caring for a good mood for the most grumpy in the morning.
We did not try the restaurant but took a look at its fairly extensive menu: sea bass fillet, octopus salad and even caviar ... And of course the traditional burger and entrecote and fries.
8/10 The value for money
Absolutely correct for this beautiful location.
You may be able to call to choose your room (street or canal side, duplex or not…).
The price of an overnight stay starts from € 169 excluding breakfast (€ 25).
Fraser Suites Hamburg, Rödingsmarkt 2, 20459 Hamburg, Germany.
Phone.
: +49 40 3808636888.
