Side A Design Hotel that hits Home

One year has passed since I spent the night at the Side Hotel, but said weekend has been a vivid memory of mine ever since. From the comfortable rooms that are designed by renowned architect Matteo Thun and adorned with just the right amount of dark wooden details and purposeful lighting, the scent of REN care products waiting for you in the shower every morning, or the excellent food at the hotel’s own restaurant Meatery. Every single thing was memorable.

Side opened its doors in 2001 as the first 5-star design hotel between the Alster, state opera and the most prominent shopping areas in Hamburg. With eleven stories and a glass atrium, it’s an architectural eye-catcher per se. Glass and green stone, the main building materials, are being emphasised beautifully with a complex lighting system. Equipped with 178 rooms, the hotel somehow manages to maintain different moods for each part of the house. Even the public restrooms are set up so well-thought through and with the highest attention to details, that I recommend you go at least once.

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And while the pool, beauty and fitness areas are all set in full color and lighten up the mood even on the rainiest day, the whirlpool, vapor-bath and massage amenities are rather low-key designed to calm and sooth. The spa also works with British label REN’s care products to make sure you get your full pampering - on a side note: REN’s shower gel and body lotion are among my beauty favourites.

The uniquely puristic design of the Side hotel was rated by users of TripAdvisor by the way, and is now ranking among the 25 best trend hotels worldwide. And I can only agree! 

Constanze Hallensleben

Founder Creme Guides