![Sir Nikolai](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/41/3c/413cc1477ea9ea8fc9be910f392b4401/600x422.jpg)
Hamburg's old town, or "Altstadt" as its called in German, is not a medieval historic centre. Hamburg not only suffered from a terrible fire in the 19th-century, but, being a prominent industrial and naval town, suffered terrible bombing in WWII. So, sadly, little of its medieval heart remains. There are exceptions, of course. St. Nicholas Church, for instance — though ruinous, and hollow inside — remains standing, a beautiful, gothic medieval church that serves as a timely reminder of the brutality of warfare. St. James Church, while rebuilt after the war, still boasts some of its beautiful medieval interior furnishings and St. Michael's Church, a glorious example of Baroque architecture, should be first on your list; climb the tower to drink in the fab vistas from the top. Hamburg's Altstadt is the place to stay if you want to be central and have easy on-foot access to the best of the city. Our pick of the hotels in the Alstadt are both chic, contemporary stays that will not disappoint.
A cool warehouse conversion
![Sir Nikolai](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/b7/be/b7be6d2e5e48613428a34e7f60e5f8f1/600x422.jpg)
- Sir Nikolai is a smart, sophisticated option for sightseeing in the Altstadt; a stylish four-star former seed warehouse overlooking the Nikolaifleet canal. It's a short walk from some major sights: Sankt Katharinen, the Elbphilharmonie, Deichtorhallen, and its stunning rooms are full of marble, original art and vintage rugs. Effortlessly stylish sightseeing!
For Contemporary style
![Henri Hotel](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/d8/1f/d81fcbf150aa8be2193ba797d206f751/600x422.jpg)
- Henri Hotel is another stylish stay well-placed in Hamburg's Altstadt, though this one's primed for apres-sightseeing relaxation too. It's in a quiet location, just a 2-minute walk from the town hall square, and rooms are a trendy mix of modern and retro. The icing on the cake has to be the wellness area on the 7th floor where you'll find a relaxing steam bath, sauna and Kneipp bath.
Still not sure?