Ahoi Switzerland!
Switzerland is a matter of the heart for the Hamburg Convention Bureau! We love Switzerland. This is because of the great people there, the exciting MICE landscape and the country’s quality of life. But maybe it’s also because of the great contrast between Switzerland and Hamburg! And we like contrasts – because Hamburg is full of them! Tradition meets modernity, high culture meets subculture, hip meets classic.
Hamburg offers everything your heart desires: beach, water, sophisticated parks, numerous exciting shopping opportunities, music, feel-good character and lively hustle and bustle. As the second largest city in Germany and the largest city in Europe that is not a capital city, Hamburg combines all of this. And garnishes the picture with a good portion of maritime charm, excellent meeting facilities and a good price-performance ratio. Are you curious? Then let yourself be digitally whisked away to Hamburg!
We promised, Hamburg is a city of contrasts! A metropolis with many exciting hotels, service and incentive providers and unique locations. And we would like to show them to you!
Bucket List Venues
There are many good locations in all countries of the world. But some of them stand out. Because they are special, or so unique that you absolutely want to hold an event there. Hamburg also has some of these “bucket list venues” in its own portfolio. Some of them are maritime highlights that are probably only to be found in Hamburg. One of the most traditional venues is the “Altonaer Fischauktionshalle“, which was inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II back in 1896. Built of brick, with a roof vault of iron and glass, the historic building is one of Hamburg’s landmarks. And by the way, it offers a total area of around 3,500 square metres, is equipped with modern technology and offers event organisers a unique view of the river Elbe and the harbour cranes.
It only gets even more maritime when you are directly on board of a ship. And meetings can also be held in this ambience in Hamburg – for example on the MS Bleichen! The general cargo ship, affectionately known by Hamburgers as the “Bleichen”, was built in 1958 and is one of Hamburg’s museum ships. Today, the Bleichen is also used for events. Networking events, conferences or company celebrations can be held in the belly of the ship – right on the river Elbe.
Less maritime, but at least as unique, is the Kuppel Hamburg. The location, which is situated on a 15-hectare site, consists of three halls reminiscent of tents and around 50 overseas containers. What’s special about the “Kuppel Hamburg”? It can be put together like a large construction kit. The containers can be arranged as desired and constantly reassembled like a small model city. For event planners, for example, this offers the possibility of creating several different “worlds” through which guests can move.
Incentives at the "Waterkant"
Hamburg also opens up new worlds when it comes to incentives. We start with the Miniatur Wunderland – the largest model railway in the world, where “new worlds” can be seen almost literally. On an area of more than 1,500m², 1,120 trains and over 10,400 wagons travel on a total of 16,138 m of railway track through a wide variety of countries, places and cities. America, Scandinavia, Austria, Switzerland or Rio de Janeiro are just a few examples of the carefully and passionately produced miniature worlds. In addition, the “MiWuLa” makers – Gerrit Braun, Frederik Braun and Stephan Hertz – have also placed a strong emphasis on social commitment and a wonderful philosophy of togetherness and humanity. For this reason at the latest, a visit to “MiWuLa” should not be missed.
For those who don’t want to miss out on excellent chocolate away from home in Switzerland, we have what is probably the sweetest incentive in the whole city: the CHOCOVERSUM by Hachez! On a chocolate tour through the chocolate museum, for example, groups can nibble, taste and enjoy together. Needless to say, there is also the option of making your own chocolate – and of course taking it home with you – sounds delicious? It is!
Refreshingly different
St. Pauli is one of Hamburg’s most vibrant and diverse districts. Once known as a red-light and sailors’ district, St. Pauli is now a hotspot for theatre, culture, music and culinary delights. Anyone who has ever been to St. Pauli will hardly have missed the old World War II bunker. “Flakturm IV”, known in Hamburg only as the “Feldstraßen Bunker”, is both a memorial and a place of creativity. Soon, however, the concrete giant will also take on another function: It will become a hotel! Five additional floors have been added to the bunker, which will be home to a Hard Rock Hotel, among other things!
A project that has also been developed in St. Pauli but is being realised in the Münzviertel is the “Villa Viva“. Together with Heimathafen® Hotels, Viva con Aqua de Sankt Pauli e.V. is building a “house that builds fountains”. As some people may know, Viva con Agua aims to ensure that all people have access to clean drinking water, hygiene facilities and basic sanitation. And this is now also supported by “Villa Viva”, which is being designed as a “social guesthouse”. With every overnight stay, drinking water projects worldwide are supported.
In addition to the numerous event locations and exciting incentives, Hamburg is characterised by a hotel scene that has the right establishments in its ranks for all eventualities, demands and needs.
Furthermore, in addition to large and internationally widespread chains, Hamburg has an exciting range of private hotels that offer planners and MICE clients that certain something extra and distinctive charm.
Photo: Stefan Karstens
Empire Riverside Hotel
If you want to enjoy a unique view of the city when visiting Hamburg, you should head for a very wonderful address: The Empire Riverside Hotel impresses with a spectacular panoramic view over Hamburg, the harbour and the Elbe. None other than the British star architect David Chipperfield designed the unique bronze tower, which rises into the sky as an integral part of Hamburg’s harbour silhouette. The private hotel is part of a long and exciting history, as it was the second major hotel project of the founder Willi Bartels and was built in the immediate vicinity of the traditional Hotel Hafen Hamburg. Both hotels have been in the owner family ever since.
327 rooms and suites in a timelessly elegant ambience open up sensational views over Hamburg through panoramic glazing. Eight flexible conference rooms with a total area of 1,200sqm offer space for up to 1,000 people and events of all sizes. The entire conference area is flooded with natural light and paves the way for creative processes.
Three food & beverage outlets provide culinary delights without forgetting the Hanseatic flair: The “waterkant” restaurant offers fresh fish gently prepared in the open show kitchen, “DAVID’s Bar & Lounge” is the perfect place to relax in an elegant atmosphere and a very special highlight awaits visitors 90 metres above the Elbe in the Skyline Bar “20up” with probably the most beautiful view over Hamburg.
Kleinhuis Hotel Baseler Hof
For over 110 years, the family-run “Kleinhuis Hotel Baseler Hof” has offered guests the ideal starting point for an exciting visit to Hamburg. Alster, shopping arcades and museums, theatre, opera, trade fair and CCH – Congress Center Hamburg: everything is just a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel’s rooms are comfortably furnished and equipped with everything to make your stay comfortable.
At Kleinhuis Hotel Baseler Hof the Hamburg day starts in style with the rich “Kleinhuis breakfast”. After a stroll through Hamburg, the sauna invites you to relax and then enjoy modern North German cuisine with matching wines from the hotel’s own wine shop in Kleinhuis’ restaurant. The spacious lobby with a cosy bar invites you to linger or meet with friends or colleagues.
Of course, professional meetings are also possible at the Hotel Baseler Hof. With ten different – partly heritage-protected – meeting rooms, it is the ideal place for events or banquets. With up to 200 people, you are in the best hands here. At the end of the day, from Wednesday to Saturday, the roof terrace or the wine cellar also invite you to an “Aperitivo after work”.
Kleinhuis Hotels & Restaurants combine Hamburg history, modern elegance and sustainability with fine culinary offerings. “Nordic by nature” stands for ingredients from the region, homemade specialities, warm service and an authentic Hanseatic ambience. At Kleinhuis Hotel Baseler Hof, fair prices meet a family atmosphere and professional hospitality.
Grand Elysée Hamburg
Hamburg is also home to the largest five-star private hotel in Germany. The top hotel presents itself as a house without fear of thresholds. The Grand Elysée Hamburg is designed to meet the highest demands and yet offers a casual atmosphere in which all guests and visitors feel completely at ease.
In addition to 511 rooms and suites, an inviting ambience and first-class service the Grand Elysée Hamburg offers its visitors an excellent central location in the heart of the city. The city centre is within walking distance, the ICE train station Dammtor offers perfect transport connections and the hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of parks and green areas, making living and meeting at the hotel a relaxing experience. The CCH – Congress Center Hamburg is also in the neighbourhood, which makes the location even more exclusive for MICE guests. The large ballroom of the Grand Elysée Hamburg offers space for up to 1,200 people. Every type of use and technical equipment is possible – whether for congresses, conferences, symposia, or festive banquets, convivial dance teas or glamorous ball nights. The further 25 function rooms also offer ideal conditions for any kind of event.
Each one is individually designed and equipped. The Grand Elysée Hamburg can always offer the right setting for every event wish. Of course, the hotel also stands out in culinary terms: Top Italian cuisine in the “Piazza Romana”, light French country house cuisine and Fruit de Mer in the “Brasserie Flum”, breakfast and brunch buffet in the friendly “Le Parc”. Legendary is the “Boulevard Café” with its fine pastries from the in-house patisserie and the “Bourbon Street Bar” with live music in the afternoon.
GEO°BOUND
Looking for an incentive? How about a digital or analogue B2B rally in the middle of Hamburg? If you think of motor sports when you think of rallies, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Because it’s much more about mental exercise! Since 2008, GEO°BOUND has been the first address in Germany for analogue and digital B2B rally concepts. Whether indoor, outdoor or remote. Whether ready-made task modules or individually tailored to the customer’s goals, GEO°BOUND inspires with the right adventure! Divided into different groups, groups of between 20 and 1000 participants go in search of geocaches and QR codes, solve tricky puzzles, take photos and videos and at the same time discover the city of Hamburg on their own.
All these challenges can only be mastered as a team and are therefore the ideal team-building incentive. Because an event by GEO°BOUND not only promotes team interaction, but also strengthens cohesion in the long term. Of course, the customer is always in the foreground! Because GEO°BOUND also gets creative with individual requests in order to create unforgettable experiences. Sustainability is a top priority. As a Climate Partner, GEO°BOUND is not only set up to be as sustainable as possible, but also offers the balancing and compensation of the CO2 emissions of the event. GEO°BOUND follows its own mission to offer top service – this complete package always results in a successful event experience for you and your company!
We have made you curious about Hamburg? That makes us very happy! We would be all the more pleased if you get in touch with us. Because we can promise you one thing: What you have read so far is only a small excerpt from our MICE portfolio!
Let's connect!
Florian Gerdes
