Ever imagined a building surviving two world wars unscathed? That’s the Hotel Hafen Hamburg for you. Right here, standing before this iconic building, we’re about to delve into a history richer than the Elbe’s waters.
The Hafenhof started its journey in 1858. It wasn’t always the luxurious hotel it is today. Initially, it was a simple seamen’s home. Local shipping companies created it. Industry sponsors also supported the project. Imagine 24 sailors finding warmth and a meal for just two German Marks. The offer was quickly popular.
Economic interests soon steered the Hafenhof in a new direction. It became a shared space. The Hamburg Seamen Authority moved in. Shipping companies also took up office space. The Hamburg Navigation School joined too.
World War I changed the Hafenhof again. The Kaiserliche Marine, or Imperial Navy, seized the building. It transformed the seamen’s home into a training center. Naval soldiers filled its halls instead of sailors.
Remarkably, the former sailor’s home emerged from World War I without damage. Years passed. Then Adolf Hitler rose to power. In 1938, the German Labor Front took over the building. The property rights shifted to the Senate of Hamburg. World War II loomed. The German Navy used the building for training once more.
As if by a miracle, the Hafenhof survived the air raids of World War II. It remained in good condition. After the war, the Royal Navy quickly confiscated the complex. Ten years later, they released the building. It returned to its former purpose as a seafaring home.
But the city’s economic interests intervened again. The Housing Authority handed the premises to various institutes. These included the Hydrographic Institute, the Shipping and Transport Authority, and the Tropical Institute. An attempt was made to rebuild the seafarer’s home.
From 1949, up to 30 seamen found accommodation in multi-bed rooms. In 1950, the accommodation rooms were extended. Gastronomy was also reopened. Various shipping companies rented premises here.
Despite its good condition, renovations were delayed. The city wasn’t willing to invest. In 1975, the seamen’s home idea was abandoned. This closure marked a new chapter. The Hafenhof was reborn as the Hotel Hafen Hamburg.
Enter Willi Bartels, the “king of St. Pauli.” He was a butcher turned real estate mogul. He owned 40 businesses on St. Pauli. He also had 2,000 apartments and 10 hotels. The Hotel Hafen Hamburg became his prized possession.
During a walk with his wife, Gisela, Willi Bartels spotted the building. He instantly fell in love with it. He declared, “This is going to be my new project.” After negotiations, the Bartels family took over. They invested 5.5 million marks to convert it into a hotel.
Bartels wanted to preserve its history and connection to the port. He said it fit in with the city’s maritime tradition like no other hotel. Personality and Hanseatic flair were always important to him.
The hotel opened in the late 70s with 105 rooms. Two years later, the Restaurant Port opened. Its maritime interior featured mahogany, brass, and a buffet made from planked boat tips. It offered space for 220 guests and views of the Elbe River.
Soon after, Bartels expanded the hotel by acquiring the east wing. This wing had been a nurses’ dormitory. This expansion added 320 beds. He then constructed the tower to connect the two wings.
The tower project cost 13 million marks. It was supervised personally by Bartels. In 1987, the tower opened. It added more hotel rooms, conference rooms, and the Tower Bar. At 62 meters high, the bar offered panoramic views.
Bartels also built the Residenz Hafen Hamburg. This new building added 115 double rooms. The Ellipsen event spaces became popular for events and conferences.
For the Hotel Hafen Hamburg’s 20th birthday, Bartels added a new floor. This was the Elbkuppel event room. It offered breathtaking views. In 2000, the hotel received a four-star rating.
In 2006, the Hotel Hafen Hamburg merged with the Residenz Hafen Hamburg. The entire hotel operated under the name Hotel Hafen Hamburg. The hotel became one of the best-occupied hotels in Germany.
Willi Bartels’ philosophy was simple. “We keep telling our team: the customer is not king, but welcome. People should simply feel at home while staying with us.”
In 2007, Bartels built the Empire Riverside Hotel nearby. Five days after its opening, he passed away. His spirit lives on in the Hotel Hafen Hamburg. His grandchildren and employees keep his legacy alive. You can even find a bust of him in the hotel’s beer bar.
Even today, the Hotel Hafen Hamburg evolves. The gastronomic offerings expanded. The Tower Bar got a makeover in 2015. The summer terrace opened in 2019. Restaurant Port was renovated in 2020.
The Hotel Hafen Hamburg continues to offer a blend of tradition and modernity. As Willi Bartels said, “With us, the guest is not king, he is welcome.” Welcome to the Hotel Hafen Hamburg, welcome home.