25hours Hotel Hafencity

HafenCity is Hamburg’s big urban renewal project, a redevelopment of a sizable portion of the waterfront port district into the sort of mixed-use residential/commercial district that’s at the heart of modern urban planning. And 25hours, of course, is the German boutique-hotel chain that’s quickly earned notices for its irreverent philosophy and youthful design aesthetic. It’s as though they were made with one another in mind.

In fact the 25hours designers were clearly quite aware of their location — the décor is full of references to the shipyards and docklands of old Hamburg. The theme lends a certain shipboard charm to the smaller of the rooms (or cabins, as they’re called), and a bit of added personality to the larger ones. Book the bunk-bed cabin for the ultimate in maritime ambience.

There’s even a Club Floor, but not the sort you’re used to: where in big luxury hotels it’s the equivalent of first class, here it’s open to all, full of lounge space, work space and entertaining space. There’s a sauna on the top floor with a view of the rapidly changing city, and the Heimat Kitchen + Bar is open from noon to midnight for a meal, a drink or just a quick bite.