MOIN MOIN
“Hello, Hello” to the eclectic glamour and heritage chic of contemporary Hamburg.
The most beautiful cities in the world are often defined by their architecture. The Speicherstadt in the historic port of Hamburg—where 19th-century dark-bricked warehouses stand proudly along interlacing canals— with the glimmering Elbphilharmonie towering by the River Elbe, certainly makes a breathtaking impression. Design is the DNA of this German city, inciting Karl Lagerfeld to return home to show his Chanel Paris-Hamburg collection inspired by its Hanseatic architecture and seafaring culture. It was my first trip to Hamburg to attend this show, in the flux of a snowy December, Christmas markets, architectural tours, museum visits, a heritage hotel: classic Hamburg.
Come summer, and I was ready to experience the contemporary cool of Hamburg in the glorious sunshine. How better to frame this than with a weekend stay at Sir Nikolai, a chic bijoux hotel off the Nikolaifleet canal, secreted on a quiet lane parallel to the Speicherstadt? Located between the old quarters Altstadt and the dazzling new HafenCity gives it that modern heritage spirit, where dynamic design and comfort living combine for a relaxed, cool aesthetic, as the gleam of copper tables, gold accents, and jewel-tone velvet chairs in the lobby lounge turn up the glamour. The décor is “culture chic” with its library-like ambience of leather-bound books, reading nooks, and a circular marble fireplace, while contemporary artwork line the hallway that lead us to the Japanese-Peruvian bar Izakaya for welcome cocktails. After a round of Tokyo Trash Baby, Chiyos Kiss, and Tagatomis Downfall, we were set for a sparkling good time.
The curio curation extends to the rooms where ceramics, books, glassware, and decorative objects are positioned in a casual but homely way, inviting a little touch-and-feel, a rich visual exploration. The Sir Hotels—there are five from Amsterdam to Ibiza, fashioned on “local specialities, surprises, strangeness, and secrets”—are defined by their thoughtful, fabulous details and curated ‘Sir Explore’ experiences. You can book a gourmet schnitzel class, a mural tour, nature walks, or a leather masterclass with expert insiders who turn your trip into a cultural adventure.
After a whirlwind weekend on the five-museum Kunstmeile trail, the famous Fischmarkt and Wasserschloss, and a Billy Joel concert, we caught our breaths with a quiet Sunday breakfast on the floating balcony by the waterfront. From this gorgeous space of occidental-meets-oriental-meetsmillennial, facing a stunning view of the city with church bells ringing in the distance, we truly encountered Hamburg, the Gateway to the World. J Sir Nikolai Hotel is a part of Mr & Mrs Smith’s collection of boutique luxury hotels. www.sirhotels.com/nikolai; www.mrandmrssmith.com