The Fontenay

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Our guests tell us that they love the beauty of The Fontenay – its flowing curves, chic décor and calm serenity. They most often comment on our intuitive and friendly staff and our location in a leafy green park, right next to Lake Alster and walking distance into the historic heart of Hamburg. Light floods into the hotel from our floor to ceiling windows, giving guests endless views of the lake and Hamburg skyline from the large guest rooms, pool, gym and Lakeside restaurant. The urban resort feel of The Fontenay appeals to our guests, who love the large rooftop bar terrace and dining al fresco on the terrace for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Parkview restaurant.

What is there to do in the area or on site? We have a beautiful 1,000 square metres spa and wellness world at the top of the hotel, including a gym and 20-metre indoor/outdoor infinity pool with panoramic views of Lake Alster and the rooftops of Hamburg. With nature right on our doorstep, guests can take a stroll or run around the lake or borrow an e-bike for an adventure. On Lake Alster, options include paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and a sightseeing cruise. It is a short walk into the centre of Hamburg, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, with renowned art galleries such as the Hamburger Kunsthalle, which houses one of the most substantial public art collections in Germany, and the historic ‘Speicherstadt’, the 19th-century Warehouse District that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. The harbour-front HafenCity has stunning architecture designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid and is the location of the Herzog & de Meuron-designed Elbphilharmonie concert hall, Hamburg’s state-of-the-art symphony hall boasting some of the best acoustics in the world.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Our guests tell us that breakfast at The Fontenay is one of the highlights of their stay. Served in Parkview restaurant from 6:30am to 11:30am, breakfast consists of a substantial buffet accompanied by an a la carte menu of hot dishes. Guests are able to make their own juices by selecting local in-season fruit and vegetables from a basket, and choose from a wide variety of pastries and breads baked in our own ovens, from cinnamon buns and croissants to rye bread and sourdough. There are lots of cold meat and smoked fish options with accompanying pickles, cheeses and relishes, along with a hot menu including eggs, waffles with berries and French toast.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Aside from the Parkview and Lakeside restaurants, we also offer dining at the rooftop Fontenay Bar, in the Atrium Lounge and through room service. Additionally, on Thursday to Sunday, we offer an afternoon tea in the Atrium Lounge presented by our Chef Pâtissier. The menu changes with the seasons and includes sweet and savoury delicacies. In our local neighbourhood, our concierge team recommends Butcher’s, Osteria da Francesco, Portonovo, Portolino, La Bottega and Theo’s. Alternatively, a short car ride away are Nikkei Nine, Tarantella and Casse Croute.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? We have 93 Fontenay Deluxe Double rooms and these are very popular with our guests as they are a very spacious 43 square metres with a private 5 square metre balcony and natural stone bathroom. Our suite options are also very popular as they give our guests the option to choose the right space for them, from panoramic balconies, second bedrooms, dining spaces and connecting rooms.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Due to the size of our rooms, an extra bed very comfortably fits in the space so that families can share a room. The Fontenay also has lots of interconnecting rooms – you could combine a Fontenay Deluxe room or a Fontenay Premier room with an additional interconnecting room to get more than 80m²/860ft² of space. We offer lots of child’s amenities such as bathrobes and slippers in children’s sizes, The Fontenay colouring book and special bathing toiletries. We offer a children’s menu in the restaurant and can provide diaper, bottle warmers, car seats, Bugaboo buggy, highchairs and qualified babysitting services upon request. Our concierge team has a great range of ideas for family friendly activities in Hamburg for all ages from toddlers to teens.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? We have designed The Fontenay to be the perfect city resort, where city culture meets natural al fresco living, a place where it’s possible to be as active or as easeful as you desire. Hamburg is a cosmopolitan city close to nature and perfect for a long weekend of exploring on foot, by bike or even on the water, using the luxurious cocoon of The Fontenay as your base. We look forward to welcoming Hotel Guru readers to The Fontenay!