A recent press trip to Hamburg included enjoying a two-night stay in the five-star Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten (Four Seasons to us Brits), one of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts collection of 65 luxury properties around the world.

The Hamburg property has an enviable central location as part of the stately backdrop on the west shore of the Binnenalster, the 44-acre (18 hectares) lake to which Hamburg’s inner city owes a lot of its charm. Also contributing, on the south shore, is the nearby retail therapy centre, the Jungfersteig, Hamburg’s Bond-Street-on-Sea and part of what makes the city allegedly the best in Germany for fans of shopping till dropping. And on the lake is a fountain shooting a jet of water nearly 200 feet (60 metres) into the air, and a range of relaxing boat trips, some incorporating romantic dinner cruises, on the Binnenalster and on its larger neighbouring lake, the 3 kilometre (1.8 miles) long Ausenalster, and all just outside the hotel’s front entrance.

Inside are 156 bedrooms and suites, some overlooking the lake and enjoyed over the years by the likes of Sophia Loren, Placido Domingo, Aristotle Onassis and the Rolling Stones and all recently refurbished in the understated and quietly expensive classic style that reflects that of the public areas, and the spaces used for events. These are very traditional in decor, with tapestries, paintings and exposed wooden beams, and the largest space will seat 200 theatre-style, this made up of two rooms seating 160 and 70. Elsewhere there are two other rooms for 70 and two for 40 as well as specialist private dining areas for 24 and 120, although all the nine spaces can be used for this purpose, up to a maximum of 200, as can the hotel’s four restaurants. (Review of three of them in our January issue) In addition, for very special private dining for small groups of up to 20 the Vier Jahreszeiten has a range of spaces around its kitchens, some with views of the chefs working – visit and viewing recommended.

Tel +49 (0)40 / 34 94 31 85 visit fairmont-hvj.de