Hamburg has long remained just under the radar, playing second fiddle to the gritty glamour of Berlin, and yet the eagerly-awaited opening of the iconic Elbphilharmonie has cemented Hamburg’s position as Germany’s most exciting cultural hub, befitting of an equally thrilling new residence.
On the Nikolaifleet waterfront, Sir Nikolai is sandwiched between the Altstadt (Old Town)—the city’s historical and cultural nucleus—and the regenerating, super-modern HafenCity district to the south. The luxury boutique hotel—with curated art, vintage rugs, and polished marble throughout—is a showcase for artisanal quality and tradition, seamlessly blending local heritage and international sophistication in the shadow of one of Hamburg’s oldest churches, Sankt Katharinen.
Design agency FG Stijl has directed their award-winning nous into artfully converting a former warehouse to create the 94-room Sir Nikolai. Extending into the glass-covered courtyard, The Patio is the beating heart of the hotel with its fluid interior/exterior setup playing host to both cozy fireside soirées and the eternal cocktail hours of summer thanks to a fully retractable ceiling. Two canal-side terraces further blur the lines between inside and out.
Opening late 2017, the 300-square-metre subterranean SPA will take on an elegant yet casual vibe, with a pool and sauna overlooking the canal, as well as having three treatment rooms, a steam room, and a gym. While the SPA takes care of spiritual nourishment, more immediate sustenance comes courtesy of THE ENTOURAGE GROUP’s destination restaurant IZAKAYA Asian kitchen & bar. Incorporating the entire ground floor and patio, the innovative Japanese-Peruvian dining experience pushes the boundaries of Nikkei cuisine in urban-chic surroundings.
Spanning between 20 and 56-square-metres, Sir Nikolai’s 94 rooms and suites afford views over The Patio, the Nikolaifleet canal, or the Altstadt, where boutique shops and cafés wind along the waterways. Each is luxuriously outfitted with custom-made furniture and lighting, while vintage carpets, contemporary artworks, and a carefully curated selection of design books and novels ensure a unique touch.
A goody box of decadent treats sourced from around the city replace the staid hotel mini-bar and queen or king-size beds are made up with the Sir Hotels’ bespoke signature bedding collection. The luxurious marble bathrooms feature oversized rainfall showers, and signature DEAD CLEAN spa body amenities.
