I stayed one night on 1 January 2012 whilst passing through Hamburg and I'd go back.

Pros:
- Location. Directly opposite Hamburg Hauptbahnhof so if you're travelling by train it's perfect. I left reception at 09:01 and was standing on Platform 5 for the train to Copenhagen at 09:03. No exaggeration. Couldn't be closer.
- Room. Was in 238. It was great. I received a free upgrade to a Comfort category room which was very welcome. A separate sitting area, a walk in wardrobe and changing area, big clean bathroom, comfy bed. Slept well.
- In room safe
- Free wi-fi worked well
- Clean. Not modern in a new trendy way but the fixtures and fittings weren't tired, nothing was chipped or dirty and everything worked.
- Spa / pool / sauna / water slide. I used all of these facilities and they were great. Three separate saunas - 90, 75 and 55 degrees, plunge pool, steam room, swimming pool, spa, rest area with comfortable lounges, clean modern changing rooms and a long water slide that's great fun. There's also simulated golf and a gym on the top floor but I didn't use them.
- Breakfast. A wide selection of hot and cold. Up to standard breakfast buffet for a four star hotel and included in the room tariff.

- There's also a restaurant on site but didn't go there for dinner.

Cons:
None for me. The hotel has I think been substantially modified over the years (in the same family ownership for nearly 100 years) and if you had mobility problems stairs in some areas might be tricky. But lifts were fine and everything was great for me. Red light district is behind the hotel but it's tame.

Recommended for an overnight stay or a longer stay in Hamburg.

First, this review is not a reflection on the staff, who were all very friendly and helpful. However the hotel does have a couple of drawbacks and doesn't live up to its four stars.

Drawbacks are:
- Bad access (especially with heavy luggage) due to the number of stairs to climb
- Patchy internet reception
- I would add decor, but this is of course an aesthetic call

There are lots of cute hotels near by at the price. We were kicking ourselves that we plumped for this one.

We spent a lovely time visiting Christmasmarket in Hamburg, the whole city seems to "A Big Christmasmarketplace", the biggest marketplace was by the Rathaus; the smiling people, colours, lights, not to mention the gluhwein, the odour and taste. Try it. During our visit we stayed at Europäischer Hof. The location of the hotel is excellent. Two uncomfortable thing happened during our stay. We had booked the hotel and gotten confirmation for a non.smoking room and for or specific price. We had to stay the 1st night in a smokers' room. When we wanted to change to room in the morning, the receptionist did not say that she was sorry for the mistake but gave us the room we wanted. When we checked out the receptionist tried to charge me 50 € excess/night. Again no sorry but a new bill. So make sure that you get what you have agreed on. Otherwise the hotel is nice; goods breakfast, spa with saunas (not Finnish like the hotel advertizes).

The Hotel's location is fantastic, just across the road from the Hauptbahnhof. The service was excellent and the breakfast buffet was simply fantastic. The only problem I would have is with the bed. I asked for a proper double bed but we got twin beds shoved together instead. This was only minor as we ended up having a comfortable stay and we would hope to return.