REVERB BY HARD ROCK HAMBURG REVIEW
REVERB BY HARD ROCK HAMBURG REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
We couldn’t resist visiting one of the trendiest new lifestyle hotels in Hamburg. As passionate Hard Rock Cafe collectors who have stayed in over 25 Hard Rock hotels, experiencing the first Reverb Hotel which belongs to the Hard Rock International chain was a must to do in Hamburg. So far, there’s worldwide only one other Reverb by Hard Rock hotel, located in Atlanta. Because of our early arrival, we decided for a one-night stay, this gave us enough time to thoroughly explore the hotel, experience the bar by Frank Rosin, and enjoy the breakfast—more on that later. Our first impression upon arrival was overwhelming. The bunker, originally built in 1942, is truly an impressive building. Enjoy reading our Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg.
HISTORY OF THE BUNKER BUILDING
The transformed Hochbunker St. Pauli, originally a 38-meter Flak bunker built in 1942 by forced laborers, now stands at an impressive 58 meters after a €60 million renovation. The project, led by private investor Thomas Matzen, added five floors and lush greenery to the structure, creating a living space out of a dark chapter of German history. Opened to the public on July 5, 2024, the bunker now features a rooftop garden with 4,700 plants, multiple dining options, and the 134-room Reverb by Hard Rock hotel. We were particularly impressed by how rustic the entire setting was. It almost still looks like a construction site.
LOCATION AND ARRIVAL
The Reverb Hotel is centrally located in the Karoviertel, a modern neighborhood known for its street art and hip cafes. Guests can walk through the colorful streets of the area. The hotel is also close to the ‘U – Feldstraße’ underground station, which has an elevator, making it easy to arrive and leave with your luggage. From the station, it’s a flat 3-minute walk to the hotel.
Arrival by Plane:
Take the S1 in the direction of Berliner Tor. Change at Barmbek to the U3 in the direction of Schlump – Hauptbahnhof Süd. Leave the train at the “U – Feldstraße” station. There is no direct train from the airport to the Reverb Hotel. The total train ride takes approximately 30 minutes. From the perspective of a Hard Rock Cafe collector, arriving by plane makes sense, as it gives you the opportunity to visit the Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg – Airport Rock Shop upon arrival.
The fare is €3.80, and the ticket can also be purchased in advance here.
Arrival by Train:
Take the U3 in the direction of Schlump – Barmbek, and get off at the “U – Feldstraße” station. From there, it’s a 3-minute walk to the hotel.
The fare is €2.70, and the ticket can also be purchased in advance here.
Arrival by Car:
The hotel has 4 private parking spaces. If these are occupied, guests can park at the Rindermarkthalle for €2.50 per hour or at Heiligengeistfeld for €5 per day.
THE ROOM
We chose a Classic Queen Room for our stay, and the room had a very new and modern feel. The scent was pleasant, and the decor was lovely. However, the room was missing the typical Hard Rock vibe.
The 180 cm x 200 cm king-size bed was extremely comfortable. In addition to the bed, there was a small elevated seating area in front of the balcony. The bathroom is divided into three sections: the shower, the toilet, and a sink within the room.
There was limited space for storing clothes, just a wardrobe with a refrigerator inside. Additionally, water was provided, along with a capsule coffee machine, and a notepad with a pen.
SERVICE
The service overall was satisfactory, but we will we’ll provide a more detailed in the “Suggestions for Improvement” section at the end. The check-in process was quick, and the room keys worked without any issues. The lobby, aside from the view, doesn’t match the Hard Rock style and is rather simple. It doesn’t really invite guests to sit for a long time there. Regarding the staff service: When we had questions beforehand, they were answered promptly, politely, and thoroughly. The check-out process was also smooth, and we were allowed to keep our room keys as souvenirs.
FOOD AND DRINKS
The Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg hotel features three dining and drinking options: the “Karo & Paul Bar”, the restaurant “La Sala” (which also serves the hotel breakfast), and the coffee shop “Constant Grind”.
Karo & Paul Bar
On the same level as the reception, you’ll find the bar “Karo und Paul,” run by renowned German chef Frank Rosin. Currently, the bar only offers drinks, but the kitchen is expected to open soon. Despite the stunning view, the prices are reasonable, with a 0.33l draft beer costing €3.50. Cocktails are starting at €13.00. Complimentary snacks, such as peanuts, were served with the drinks.
The quality of the cocktails was excellent, and the staff was well-trained.
MORE INFORMATION
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
04:00 pm – 01:00 am
Menu:
https://karoundpaul.com/wp-content/uploads/menu/KARO_PAUL_Barkarte.pdf
Website:
https://karoundpaul.com/
La Sala Hamburg - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The breakfast at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg Hotels offers a very wide selection but is priced on the higher side at €35. However, the variety was extensive, and guests could customize and have their own omelets prepared. Whether it’s worth the €35 is a bit difficult to judge, but we can say that the breakfast was delicious. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try the lunch and dinner, but the various menus for both look very promising.
Fruits, muesli toppings, or tomatoes and cucumbers?
MORE INFORMATION
Opening hours:
Breakfast
Monday – Friday
06:30 am – 10:30 am
Saturday – Sunday
07:30 am – 11:00 am
Lunch
12:00 pm – 04:00 pm
Dinner
06:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Menu:
Lunch
https://lasalahamburg.com/wp-content/uploads/menus/BUNK_Speisekarte_LaSala_Mittag.pdf
Dinner
https://lasalahamburg.com/wp-content/uploads/menus/BUNK_Speisekarte_LaSala_Abend.pdf
Website:
https://lasalahamburg.com/
Constant Grind
MORE INFORMATION
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
07:00 am – 05:00 pm
THE ROCK SHOP
Also on Level 0 and accessible to non-hotel guests is the Rock Shop. It offers typical Hard Rock merchandise as well as items from the nearby football club, St. Pauli. Located next to the hotel with a separate entrance, the Rock Shop features a wide selection, though unfortunately, the prices are quite high. Despite this, it’s worth a visit for every guest.
AMENITIES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
The hotel amenities are fairly limited. Aside from the relatively numerous dining options, the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg has a partnership with a gym (UFC Gym) for €15.00 per person per day and a bouldering hall (Urban Apes) for €19.90 per person per day. During our visit, there was no live music, and the general Hard Rock atmosphere was noticeably absent.
PRICE VALUE
We paid €185.00 for one night, including breakfast. What truly sets this hotel apart is the unique bunker building and the Hard Rock name behind it. The location is excellent, and the opportunity to sleep in an old bunker with a view of a football stadium is something you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The room rate is reasonable compared to other hotels in this segment, though the high breakfast price does significantly increase the overall cost.
SUGGESTIONS OF IMPROVEMENT
GENERAL:
- Parking Information: It would be helpful to provide a list of nearby parking options along with their prices. The parking at the Markthalle is quite expensive (€100 for less than 48 hours), so clearer information on alternative options would be appreciated.
- Hotel Access: There seems to be inadequate planning regarding access routes to the hotel and security measures. Guests frequently need to show their room key, which can be inconvenient.
- Shop Prices: The prices in the Rock Shop are quite high, making it less appealing for shopping.
- Elevator exit: The elevator on the third floor has two exits, and as of today, it’s still unclear how to control which door opens.
- Luggage Storage: At a 4-star hotel, it was quite surprising that we had to kneel on the floor to store our luggage in the very low storage area in the lobby.
ROOM:
- Door Closing Issue: In the morning, we discovered that our room door didn’t close properly. Although there was a sound indicating it was shutting, the door could still be opened from the outside.
- Room Design: There is limited space for hanging towels and clothing, with only 5 hangers provided.
- Bathroom: The bathroom door is very heavy and nearly impossible to open with one hand.
- Signage: The entrance to the hotel is not well-marked, which can make it challenging to find upon arrival.
- Coffee Machine: The capsule coffee machine in the room would benefit from an instruction manual to help guests use it more easily.
- Lighting: The lamp above the second bed can only be turned off using the main power switch, with no clear instructions on how to operate it.
BREAKFAST:
- English Explanation: Not all hotel guests speak German, so the various dishes offered should also be explained in English. Additionally, matching the signs to the correct dishes is difficult. While the menu lists what is available, it doesn’t specify where to find each item. A detailed description in front of each dish would be very helpful.
CONCLUSION
Overall, we had an enjoyable stay at the Reverb Hotel by Hard Rock. While the hotel itself is quite similar to other city hotels, its unique feature—the fact that it’s located in a historic bunker—adds an interesting and memorable element to the experience. We definitely recommend this hotel because it is really well located and even connected with the metro station which makes it easier to reach with any type of transportation. Additionally, the variety of dining options available at different price levels is a notable advantage. But, being part of the Hard Rock group portfolio doesn’t mean the Reverb Hotel can be compared to a true Hard Rock hotel.
RATING
All in all, we rate our stay 8/10. There are still a few aspects that could be improved, and additional instructions in the room would enhance overall guest satisfaction. Unfortunately, we couldn’t address the rooftop garden visit in our review due to the police operation. The garden is also open to day visitors, which explains the stringent security measures.
As Hard Rock collectors, we were understandably shocked by the prices in the Rock Shop. We would appreciate it if the t-shirts were priced similarly to those in most Hard Rock Cafés, around €30.00.
Despite these issues, our stay at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg was very enjoyable. We hope you found our Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg review helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
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