The Fontenay

A stunning contemporary hotel on what was previously the location of a tired Intercontinental Hotel, The Fontenay is an unobtrusive gem overlooking Lake Alster. Here it’s all about not only the unbeatable situation, but also beautiful architecture comprising three connecting circles (think curved walls, an extraordinary interior covered atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum light and a building that feels completely organic, echoing the waves on the lake), smart modern interiors and superb personal service. It’s also subtle and understated (as with all buildings surrounding the lake it wasn’t allowed to be taller than the trees and had to be painted white on the exterior), and surrounded by greenery.

The rooms continue the theme of sophisticated five star luxury. They’re extremely spacious with the added benefit of a sitting area. All bar the most basic come with a private balcony and interiors include bespoke furnishings, huge super-comfortable beds, parquet flooring and a warm colour scheme where neutral hues are brightened up by pops of turquoise, light blue and gold accents. The natural stone bathrooms are extremely indulgent with his and hers sinks and enormous walk-in rain showers or bathtubs and complimentary body care products from La Biosthetique.

Foodies visiting will not be disappointed either. As well as the superb Parkview Restaurant where the chef has drawn on his international experience to create a menu that not only honours classic German dishes but can take you on a journey round the world, there’s the incredible two Michelin starred Lakeside Restaurant (this is a small intimate place on the top floor — with outstanding lake views — so you’ll need to book well in advance). And if it’s drinks with a view you’re after, The Fontenay bar (6th floor) offers a huge terrace and superb cocktail menu — ideal for sundowners.

The final icing on the cake is the fabulous spa. This huge area features two relaxation rooms with expansive city views, Finnish sauna, gym and stunning 20m indoor/outdoor infinity pool with outdoor sun deck and loungers. There’s nowhere better to relax after a busy day exploring the city.

There are so many aspects to like about The Fontenay: outstanding location overlooking Lake Alster (yet just a short stroll to the historic centre of town), high-end design and architecture, award-winning cuisine and spoiling spa and last, but not least, unfailingly friendly and helpful service from the clearly well-trained staff. The perfect hotel for a break in beautiful Hamburg.

 

Written by Sarah Empson

• Views
• Many of the rooms have balconies with superb views over Lake Alster
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• The majority of the bedroooms have a spacious furnished balcony, many with a lake view
• Restaurant
• Two michelin starred Lakeside Restaurant and the more relaxed Parkview
• Bar
• The rooftop bar is the perfect place for cocktails with a view
• Private dining room
• Outdoor dining
• Sauna/Steam
• Meeting Room

• Sit-out Terrace
• Good wine list
• Family Suites
• Parking
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Child friendly
• Gym
• Spa

• Other Activities
• Take a boat trip around Lake Alster and see the city from a different perspective
• Sights nearby
• A fifteen minute stroll will take you to the town hall and parliament building

• Great walks
• On the doorstep you can enjoy the 7km circuit around the lake

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!