I’ve stayed in some truly unusual accommodations around the world, but the Reverb Hotel, situated atop a flak tower in Hamburg, was one of the most interesting. Hard Rock Hotels manage the hotel, and the quirky decorations, fantastic views, and comfortable rooms made our stay quite memorable.
What is a Flak Tower
A flak tower is an anti-aircraft bunker. During World War II, the Germans constructed eight flak towers across Europe, with three located in Berlin, two in Hamburg, and two in Vienna. These towers played a crucial role in defending their respective cities against air attacks.
The Heiligengeistfeld Tower is a first-generation flak tower, one of two towers built in Hamburg in 1940. With solid concrete walls up to 11 feet thick, destruction of the towers after World War II was impossible. Instead, in 2021, the NH Hotel Group was awarded the contract to build a hotel on top of the tower.
Reverb Hotel Hamburg
The Reverb Hotel opened in April 2024 and is owned and operated by Hard Rock, which has evolved into more than just a restaurant. The hotel features 134 rooms and a beautiful restaurant (not a Hard Rock Cafe) on the top floor. Also on the flak tower are a café, a bar, and another restaurant, all of which are separate from the hotel.
I particularly enjoyed the modern, simplistic style of the bedroom. The bathroom was spacious, the bed was king-size and comfortable, and the room featured a large-screen TV (something I rarely use when traveling). However, my favorite feature of the room was the large cushion and table by the window for getting work done. When I’m traveling, I’m always looking for the most comfortable spot to get writing done, and it’s nice when that spot is in the hotel room.
Reverb Hotel is situated in the heart of St. Pauli, arguably the best neighborhood in Berlin. St. Pauli is full of great restaurants and cafes, theaters, and nightlife. The hotel is also only a mile and a half from the city center, where you’ll find the beautiful city hall and main shopping area. While the city has excellent public transportation, with a metro station located next to the flak tower, you can easily walk to the hotel, taking in all the attractions and sights along the way.
Dining at the Reverb Hotel
I was a little surprised the Reverb Hotel didn’t have a Hard Rock Cafe, as the Hard Rock group owns the hotel. The Hard Rock Cafe of Hamburg is down by the piers, but we didn’t eat there. Instead, we had our breakfast each morning at the La Sala restaurant on the top floor, just beneath the rooftop terrace. The breakfast had quite a nice selection, especially of baked goods. La Sala also provides dinner for the hotel, but we ate the rest of our meals at the local markets.
What to Do Around the Reverb Hotel
St. Pauli has several beautiful parks along its west side. These parks are filled with ponds, flowers, and wildlife, and are also surrounded by amazing houses. You can wander for hours through these parks, or if you prefer a more relaxed experience, jump on Hamburg’s hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which starts and ends at the St. Pauli piers. The tour has 20 stops, lasts approximately 90 minutes, and provides a wealth of information about Hamburg.
You’ll also find the Hamburg harbour tour at the St. Pauli piers. This is another excellent way to explore the city. Hamburg has one of the largest ports in the world, and the tour takes you past many of the city’s landmarks, including the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the unbelievably massive container ships, and the canals of Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s historic warehouse district.
Of course, one of the main attractions of St. Pauli is the area around Reeperbahn, the vibrant street known for its bustling nightlife. Over the holiday season, you’ll find one of the best Christmas markets in Hamburg along the street. It’s also the red-light district of Hamburg, so take care when walking around late at night.
Further Reading
Planning to visit Hamburg? Here are some more articles about what to do during your stay.
- A Guide to the Perfect 48 Hours in Hamburg, Germany
- The Chocoversum in Hamburg is Better than Heaven
- A Review of Miniatur Wunderland & The World’s Largest Model Railway
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