Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg Review: Inside the City's Unique Bunker Hotel
REVERB BY HARD ROCK HAMBURG REVIEW
Quick Look at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg
We couldn’t resist visiting one of the trendiest good hotels in Hamburg—the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg. As passionate Hard Rock collectors who have stayed in over 25 Hard Rock hotels, experiencing the first bunker hotel in Hamburg was a must. This unique Hard Rock Hotel Hamburg is located in the historic Hochbunker St. Pauli, adding a fascinating twist to our stay. Currently, there’s only one other Reverb by Hard Rock hotel, located in Atlanta.
We decided on a one-night stay, which allowed us to fully explore the hotel, visit the bar by Frank Rosin, and enjoy a delicious breakfast—more on that later. The impressive 1942 bunker sets this hotel apart. Enjoy our Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg review!
The History of the WWII Bunker That Became Reverb by Hard Rock
The 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. Within the project five floors were added and lush greenery, turning this once old historical site into a living space. Opened to the public on July 5, 2024, the bunker now houses the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg, a 134-room bunker hotel in Hamburg. It also features a rooftop garden with 4,700 plants and many dining options. During our visit, we were impressed by how the hotel’s rustic charm blends with the bunker’s history. It almost feels like a construction site, maintaining its raw, original character while offering a modern hospitality experience.
Central Hotel with Easy Arrival – Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg
The Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg is centrally located in the vibrant Karolinenviertel, a modern neighborhood famous for its street art and trendy cafes. We could easily explore the colorful streets of the area, making it a perfect spot for those looking for good hotels in Hamburg. The bunker hotel Hamburg is also just a short walk from the U – Feldstraße underground station, which offers an elevator, ensuring an easy arrival and departure with your luggage. It’s only a flat 3-minute walk from the station to the hotel, making it convenient for all travelers looking for where to stay in Hamburg.
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.
Our Experience with the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg Room
We chose a Classic Queen Room for our stay at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg, and the room had a very new and modern feel. However, while it was a great room, it lacked the typical Hard Rock vibe you might expect from a Hard Rock hotel Hamburg. It’s clear that this is a Reverb by Hard Rock, not a traditional Hard Rock hotel, as the design and atmosphere are more focused on a modern, lifestyle-oriented experience rather than the bold, iconic style found in other Hard Rock properties.
The 180 cm x 200 cm king-size bed in our Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg room was extremely comfortable. In addition to the bed, there was a small extra seating area in front of the balcony. The bathroom is divided into three sections: the shower, the toilet, and a sink within the room. While the overall design felt modern and fresh, it was clear that this was a Reverb by Hard Rock rather than a traditional Hard Rock hotel Hamburg, offering a more minimalist approach to the typical Hard Rock experience.
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 at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg
The service at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg was generally satisfactory. The check-in process was efficient, and our room keys worked without any issues. While the lobby offers a great view, it lacks the signature Hard Rock style and feels quite simple. It’s not the most inviting space to sit down for long periods. However, the staff were friendly and helpful, promptly answering any questions we had before our stay at this bunker hotel Hamburg. The check-out process was seamless, and we were even allowed to keep our room keys as souvenirs. More detailed feedback can be found in the “Suggestions for Improvement” section of our Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg review.
Food and Drink Options at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg
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”.
1. 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. This is one of the good hotels in Hamburg where guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while sipping their 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/
2. La Sala - 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/
3. Constant Grind
MORE INFORMATION
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
07:00 am – 05:00 pm
Merchandise at 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 for Improvement
During our stay at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg, we noticed some general areas for improvement. The bunker hotel Hamburg could provide more parking information, as options near the hotel can be quite expensive. We also found hotel access and security procedures to be somewhat inconvenient, with guests often needing to show room keys. While the hotel tries to offer a Hard Rock hotel Hamburg experience, the prices in the Rock Shop were notably high. The elevator system was also unclear, with two exits on the third floor.
During our stay at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg, we encountered a few room-related issues. The bunker hotel Hamburg has a unique design, but the room door didn’t close properly, even though it made a sound as if it had. Additionally, there was limited space for hanging towels and clothes, with only five hangers provided. The bathroom door was quite heavy and difficult to open with one hand. We also found that the entrance to the hotel wasn’t clearly marked, making it hard to locate upon arrival. For future guests, the Hard Rock hotel Hamburg could improve the coffee machine by including an instruction manual and offer clearer lighting controls.
Breakfast at Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg could benefit from clearer signage and English explanations. As a hotel attracting international tourists and promoting Hard Rock hotel Hamburg brand awareness, it’s important to ensure that all guests can easily understand the offerings. The dishes were not always labeled correctly, and the menu didn’t specify where to find each item. It would be very helpful if a detailed description were placed in front of each dish to help guests. For a good hotel in Hamburg, making these improvements would enhance the overall breakfast experience for everyone, especially those who don’t speak German.
Conclusion
Our stay at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg was enjoyable thanks to its perfect location in a transformed WWII bunker. The bunker hotel in Hamburg is well-situated in the cool Karolinenviertel, just a short walk from a metro station, making it easy to access.
While the hotel offers a variety of dining options, it doesn’t fully has the classic Hard Rock Hotel vibe. However, its history and design make it stand out among other good hotels in Hamburg. If you’re looking for a centrally located hotel with a fascinating backstory, the Reverb is a great choice.
Rating
Overall, we rate our stay at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg an 8/10. Some improvements, such as clearer room instructions, could enhance the experience. Unfortunately, we missed visiting the rooftop garden due to a police operation. However, the garden, also open to day visitors, is a good feature of this bunker hotel in Hamburg.
As Hard Rock Cafe collectors, we found the Rock Shop prices surprisingly high compared to other locations.
Despite these drawbacks, we enjoyed our stay. Its central location and historical setting make it one of the more good hotels in Hamburg. We hope this Reverb by Hard Rock Hamburg review helped you. Share your thoughts in the comments!
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