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The Fontenay sits on the southwestern shores of the Alster in Hamburg's Rotherbaum neighborhood, placing the hotel within walking distance of shops, museums, and cultural attractions. The white building, designed by Jan Störmer and framed by ancient trees, occupies the site of the former InterContinental hotel. The hotel opened on March 19, 2018.
Check availability Official websiteThe hotel's location on the Alster, Hamburg's central urban waterway, anchors it within the city's natural landscape. The southwestern shore position allows the property to maintain connection to water and mature trees while remaining minutes from the city center. The hotel functions as a City Resort in the heart of the city, balancing nature with urban access.
Rotherbaum, the neighborhood containing the hotel, provides access to shopping, museums, and business districts within walking distance. This positioning allows guests to reach cultural institutions and commercial zones on foot without requiring transportation, while remaining in a quieter, nature-oriented setting.
The hotel is named after John Fontenay, a shipbroker who acquired a large plot of land at this location in 1816. The street Fontenay, which fronts the hotel, runs through what was originally that land acquisition, connecting the modern hotel to Hamburg's 19th-century commercial development.
The Fontenay occupies the site of the former InterContinental hotel, which closed in February 2013 following bankruptcy. Klaus-Michael Kühne acquired the property and oversaw its demolition in February 2014. The cornerstone ceremony for the new hotel took place on August 14, 2014, with a topping-out ceremony in November 2015. Water damage in summer 2017 caused delays, and The Fontenay officially opened on March 19, 2018.
Architect Jan Störmer designed The Fontenay using organic architecture principles, creating a contemporary structure that responds to its natural setting. The white building is framed by ancient trees, emphasizing balance between modern design and natural landscape. This architectural approach extends throughout the property, from the exterior form to the interior spatial experience.
The Atrium Lounge, the hotel's central interior space, rises 27 meters in height and features a 6-meter light installation created by William Brand of atelier Brand van Egmond. This combination of vertical space and light establishes the hotel's defining interior landmark and extends the sense of openness throughout guest floors and public areas.
The Fontenay is located in Hamburg-Rotherbaum on the southwestern shores of the Alster.
The hotel is within walking distance to Hamburg's shops, museums, and cultural attractions.
The hotel is named after John Fontenay, a shipbroker who acquired land here in 1816. The Fontenay opened in 2018 on the site of the former InterContinental hotel, which closed in 2013.
Architect Jan Störmer designed the hotel using organic architecture principles, creating a contemporary building that integrates with its natural surroundings.
The hotel features a white modern exterior framed by ancient trees, with a 27-meter Atrium Lounge and a 6-meter light installation by William Brand.
The Fontenay officially opened on March 19, 2018, after the site was cleared and redeveloped following the 2013 closure of the former InterContinental hotel.
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Sources: thefontenay.com · thefontenay.com · en.wikipedia.org
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