m_kingdom2

Yet again my travel plans have changed...

I'm off to Hamburg now, the lure of the Jil Sander store and free club flights clinched the suggestion, and I've never done anything German before. I'm staying at the Atlantic as the Raffles owned property doesn't have a pool!

I'd appreciate recommendations for sites, shops, and anything else you feel would be worthwhile investigating - I'm there for four nights.

Many thanks.

hsv

m_kingdom2,

welcome here!

I have just posted extensive suggestions on where to stay, what to see and do and where to eat on another thread here, which I'd like refer you to:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...t=0&screen

I cannot imagine that you are going to regret staying at the Atlantic rather than at the Vier Jahreszeiten.
Whereas the Vier Jahreszeiten's location is definitely better as it's closer to the lovely shopping areas around Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall Streets, the Atlantic has friendly and accommodating service and its rooms are said to have been recently renovated.

The Hamburg outfit of Prada is to be found at Hohe Bleichen St No. 21, right opposite the Ralph Lauren Polo Shop and just steps from the Hamburg Marriott Hotel. I suppose this is of high importance for you ;-).
Gabriele Strehle's Strenesse store is also around here, I believe at ABC- Strasse.
Jil Sander's flagship store is located at Neuer Wall No. 43.
At the corner of Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall, just about 300 yards from Jil Sander, there is Burberry.

Should you need further advice, don't hesitate to post here.
In the meantime, I am going to add a few restaurant reviews concerning Hamburg's crème de la crème places.

Regards
hsv

hsv

m_kingdom2,

here comes a first write- up of some of Hamburg's best restaurants. I might follow up with some more, but hope to be able to contribute sufficiently for now:

<b> Louis C. Jacob: </b> This hotel restaurant in the residential neighbourhood of Nienstedten has been voted Hamburg's premier restaurant for the past three years. Thomas Martin is the chef here, and his work is precise. Service is great and the award winning sommelier Hendrik Thoma's suggestions from the winelist of over 500 varieties can be trusted. This is classic French cuisine at its best, if sometimes a bit conventional. I recently attended a dinner there and found the quality undisputable, although we did encounter a small problem when side orders were not in sufficient supply, but they quickly took care of that problem.
Situated on Elbchaussee and overlooking the River Elbe, they feature a magnificent view from their dining room. They also have a famous terrace dotted with lime trees that was painted by Max Liebermann and thus gained some notoriety.
The address is Elbchaussee No. 401-403. Tel. 040- 82 25 50.

<b> Landhaus Scherrer: </b> Chef Heinz Wehmann has established this place as Hamburg's best for decades before Jacob's started to rival him successfully recently. He sort of reinvented regional cuisine and still serves the city's best roast ducks. There are not a few people who still prefer Scherrer over the better rated Jacob's restaurant. This place is also located on Elbchaussee, but it's on the wrong side of the street, meaning the inland- side. Thus, you don't get to enjoy any views, but some rather kitschy (and to some even vulgar) murals. Apart from that, the ambiance is distinguished and the service spotless. This is to be considered a classic here.
The address is Elbchausse No. 130, Tel. 040- 880 13 25.

<b> Tafelhaus: </b> Tafelhaus used to be located in the pretty industrial neighbourhood of Bahrenfeld for many years. However, they moved, after the owner's new outfit called Darling Harbour right by the river did not succeed. Thus, they were able to resort to this modern location in one of Hamburg's thriving and developing districts along the river. They are now located in Oevelgoenne facing the container port, which may sound industrial again, but especially at night time is a really spectacular location sporting magnificently lighted views. The ambiance is decidedly modern.
The cuisine is pretty good and more inventive than that at the previously mentioned places.
Owner and chef Christian Rach is sort of self-trained, I seem to recall, but has also managed to be ranked among Hamburg's best restaurants continuously.
The address is Neumuehlen No. 17, Tel. 040- 89 27 60.

<b> Seven Seas at Suellberg: </b> The Suellberg restaurant being located on one of Hamburg's highest hills, overlooking the River Elbe in the residential neighborhood of Blankenese has been a traditional venue for generations of native Hamburgians. After a bancruptcy in the nineties, they have restored the property which is now being managed by Karl-Heinz Hauser, the former chef from Berlin's renowned Adlon Hotel. The Seven Seas Restaurant is the gourmet section and not exactly inexpensive. The ambiance is spotless, if a bit sterile and soul- less. Service is formal. The cuisine is classic, but dishes are a bit complicated for my taste, if you catch my drift.
They also have a pleasant Bistro downstairs, which is cheaper and where the fare is best described as very good Bistro- food (who would have thought…;-) ).
The address is Suellbergterrassen No. 12, Tel. 040- 866 25 20.

<b> Stocker: </b> I will also list Stocker here in this category, as I believe, there isn't much anybody can dislike about Manfred Stocker's charming Austrian style restaurant (which is my absolute favourite for a nice dinner in a refined, but not too formal atmosphere). While not inexpensive, this place is not as expensive as the previously mentioned places, but still offers excellent value and food of impeccable quality in a relaxed atmosphere. Their menu sprts two sections, a classic Austrian one, and one catering to regional and classic French cuisine. If you like Austrian dishes, I highly recommend their Tafelspitz served with an appetizer soup, hash browns, creamy spinach, and a light chive sauce plus some apple- horse-raddish combination. Their sumptuous desserts are notorious, and the wine-list focussing on Austrian varietals is attractive. The service is friendly and a bit jovial, although never intruding on your privacy. They are located in Altona, not far from the train station, at Max- Brauer- Allee No. 80, neighboring the Theater for Children.
Telephone No. is 040- 38 61 50 56.

m_kingdom2

Many thanks for those suggestions.

I would've stayed at the other property, however, in winter a swimming pool is a must for me, a &quot;plunge pool&quot; is hardly the same.

Are the designer shops all located in the same area, e.g. Prada will be found in a whole street of like shops?

highledge

M_K- Hamburg is a very small walkable city- it's hard for the shops NOT to be near each other.

We stayed outside the city center at the hotel Abtei. Their food was wonderful. There is a very nice shopping area near the hotel- the Aubenalster district. Not many &quot;chain stores&quot; really a very very high end High Street (think Walton or Pont Street).
I would second the recommendation for Tafelhaus. It is howevere rather out of the way. The food was great and it had a great &quot;vibe.&quot;

Not ure if you're going before Christmas, but if you are the markets in Hamburg are nice. There is a large traditional market in the main square. Not filled with junk like others can be.

hsv

m_k,

highledge about has it right. The city center is compact enough to allow walking between the shopping venues.

High- end shopping in the city center focuses on the area West of City Hall to Gaensemarkt Square. Jungfernstieg bordering the Inner-Alster Lake connects these areas (although there is some construction going on).
Neuer Wall and Gro&szlig;e Bleichen Streets run parallel to each other and in an rectangular angle to Jungfernstieg and feature the main stores such as Jil Sander, Unger (a Hamburg clothing specialist focusing on upscale brands), La Perla, Burberry etc. are all located on Neuer Wall. Prada and Ralph Lauren are just steps away on Hohe Bleichen St. (about 7 minutes of walking from Jil Sander). This area is also intertwined by several shopping arcades affording pleasant shopping during rainy days.
You might also want to take a look at Chippi's boutique, an upscale women's apparel specialist opening their doors only upon ringing a bell. They are located on Neuer Jungfernstieg close to the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.

I think the other upscale shopping area highledge is talking about is Eppendorfer Baum Street in the Eppendorf neighbourhood. It is on the other shore of the Alster Lake from the Hotel Atlantic and a short taxi ride away. Make sure you also get to inspect the stores here. There are also some nice coffee shops here (Kaufrausch, an odd coffee bar cum leather shop combination serving pleasant espresso and caf&eacute; au laits, its address is Isestrasse No. 74, facing the Eppendorfer Baum U- Bahn station).
On the way to Eppendorfer Baum you are likely to pass through Mittelweg. On Mittelweg in the Poeseldorf neighbourhood from Fontenay Street to about Milchstrasse, there are also a number of very pleasant shops, although they require some walking.

hsv

Oh, and another hint for shopping:
Ladage and Oelke is a traditional Hamburg apparel store with beautifully antique interiors and catering to Hamburg's traditionally large anglophile community and our inherited desire for Harris Tweed sportscoats and other such typically British stuff. They are also located on Neuer Wall St right across the street from Longchamp's (although traditionally it should rather read that Longchamps is opposite Ladage and Oelke's). As a male I do believe they focus a bit on my gender, but then I seem to recall that they feature some women's apparel, too.