Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten

The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten has been Hamburg's address for classical grand-hotel elegance since 1897, and a living piece of Hanseatic history. Friedrich Haerlin and his son Fritz ran it as a family hotel for more than 80 years; today it belongs to the Canadian Fairmont group but keeps its grand-establishment personality intact: library with real books, heavy curtains, four restaurants each with its own service style. Right on Neuer Jungfernstieg overlooking the Binnenalster - one of the best addresses in Germany - and 80% of the rooms open onto the postcard view across the Alster and the city skyline. Restaurants: Haerlin (two Michelin stars, Christoph Rüffer, classical French haute cuisine); NIKKEI NINE (Japanese-Peruvian); Cölln's (traditional Hanseatic, founded in 1840 - older than the hotel itself); and the Wohnzimmer bar. Wellness area with a small pool, spa and gym. The practical bit: 156 rooms, from €420, suites from €950; Booking 9.3/10 across 1,240 reviews. Getting there: 5 minutes by taxi from the main station, or U1/U2/U4 and S-Bahn straight to Jungfernstieg. Ideal for: a first Hamburg trip (the central location makes the most of sightseeing), the classical grand-hotel experience, and business that doubles as pleasure.