Motel One Hamburg am Michel is the practical favourite for visitors who want to be close to the harbour without paying harbour prices. It stands in the Neustadt, the old town district just inland from the Elbe, named for its position beside the Michel, the baroque church whose copper-green tower is the symbol of Hamburg. From here the Landungsbruecken piers, the harbour ferries and the start of the Elbe waterfront are a short walk downhill, and the Reeperbahn and St. Pauli are within walking distance in the other direction. The chain is known for sharp contemporary design at a modest price: a stylish lobby with a bar, compact rooms with good beds and a strong shower, and very little that you do not need. It suits couples, solo travellers, friends on a city break and families who only need a place to sleep between long days of sightseeing.
Location and getting around
The Neustadt is one of the best-placed districts for a first visit. The Michel and its viewing platform are close by, the harbour boat trips leave from the Landungsbruecken, and the Speicherstadt warehouse district and HafenCity with the Elbphilharmonie can be reached on foot in around twenty to thirty minutes depending on your pace.
The S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations at Landungsbruecken and Stadthausbruecke connect with the rest of the city, and the Altstadt, the Rathaus and the Binnenalster are within a pleasant walk. Check the walking time from your arrival point when you book.
Rooms and who it suits
Rooms are small but well designed, with a comfortable bed, a desk or shelf, a flat-screen television and a modern bathroom. The aim is a good night at a fair price, so if you plan to spend long hours in your room or travel with a lot of luggage, consider a roomier hotel from this guide. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street. The hotel is popular with couples and solo visitors and works well for families who book a room that sleeps more than two.
Food and drink
The lobby bar gives you somewhere easy to have a drink after a day out, and breakfast is usually available as an optional extra, so check whether it is included in your rate. For dinner, the streets around the Michel, the harbour and St. Pauli offer everything from fish sandwiches and bakeries to full restaurants, and a short walk takes you to the Portuguese quarter and the Altstadt.
Good to know
The hotel is in a busy tourist area, and the stretch between the Michel and the Reeperbahn can be noisy and crowded on weekend evenings, so use normal city care when you walk at night.
Parking is limited and usually charged, and the public transport links make a car unnecessary for most visitors. Hamburg fills up during large fairs, concerts and harbour festivals, so book early for those dates. For a more indulgent stay, look at the Westin or the Fairmont; for a quirkier budget option, Superbude is the alternative.
Why stay here
- ✓Beside the Michel church
- ✓Walk to the Landungsbruecken piers
- ✓Near the harbour and the Elbe
- ✓Walk to the Reeperbahn
- ✓Lobby bar
- ✓Design-led compact rooms
- ✓Breakfast available as an extra
- ✓S-Bahn and U-Bahn nearby
Good questions
Where is Motel One Hamburg am Michel?+
In the Neustadt beside the Michel church, a short walk from the Landungsbruecken piers and the Elbe.
Is it good value?+
Yes, it is one of the stronger budget choices near the harbour, with design-led compact rooms at a modest price.
Is breakfast included?+
Breakfast is usually offered as an optional extra, so check your rate when you book.
