Review: ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg has the "Most Stylish Toilet 2013"

ARCOTEL Hotels was delighted to be presented with a somewhat different type of award in March 2013: The toilets in the ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg, which was newly opened in 2012, were voted by Tempo as the "Most Stylish Toilet 2013".

The address of the hotel, Reeperbahn 1A, suggests the need for a very unique type of toilet. The owner of the ARCOTEL Group, Dr. Renate Wimmer, also recognised this and set up a "public toilet workgroup" for this purpose. "We all delved into our imaginations at the first meeting – someone even suggested a 'dog toilet'", says Dr. Renate Wimmer. It was important, however, that the toilets weren’t too strange. This gave Dr. Renate Wimmer the idea of using mosaic art to create a magnificent male figure in the ladies’ toilets and a seductive female figure in the men’s toilets. The stylish works of art were created from individual stones and hand-fitted. An additional highlight for the ladies’ toilets: visitors have a choice of cubicle size - S, M, L and XL.

ARCOTEL owner Dr. Renate Wimmer, along with the entire team at ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg, is pleased to be presented with this very unique award. "Our thanks go to Tempo for organising this excellent and ‘somewhat different’ competition. Most importantly, thank you to our guests! We are delighted that visitors to the ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg enjoy even the toilet facilities", says Dr. Renate Wimmer.

Anyone wanting to visit this special toilet should arrange a visit to Hamburg straight away!

ARCOTEL Onyx

20359 Hamburg | Reeperbahn 1 A

T +49 40 209 409-0 | F +49 40 209 409-2550

E onyx@arcotelhotels.com | www.arcotelhotels.com/onyx

Simply a hit

Once again this year crazy outfits, brightly coloured hair and colourful glasses captured Hamburg's inner city – and the ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg was right in the middle of it all. Every summer since 1997 the Schlagermove Festival has made its way through the famous St. Pauli district. This year's "colourful festival of love" took place on June 28th, 2014. The world's largest Schlager (hit music from the 1970s and 1980s) party delights Schlager fans from all over Germany, and recorded approx. 500,000 visitors this year despite the rainy weather.

The heart of the festival was a procession of 45 colourfully decorated floats, which made their way from Heiligengeistfeld to the Landungsbrücken and the Millerntorplatz, then back to Heiligengeistfeld. The ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg, with its location at the start of the Reeperbahn, is directly in the middle of the action, and at the same time was a small rest area for stranded Schlager fans, to who we were happy to open our doors as a meeting point or as an oasis for refuelling. In the middle of the action, not just a spectator – the party atmosphere infected the whole building; guests and employees celebrated the festival together. 

Following the Schlagermove there was, as always, a large Aftermove party on the Heiligengeistfeld, in a party space of over 6,000 square meters and with five party tents. A colourful DJ program and live performances from Heino and others ensured a great atmosphere until deep into the night.

We are already looking forward to the Schlagermove in 2015!

ARCOTEL Onyx

20359 Hamburg | Reeperbahn 1 A

T +49 40 209 409-0 | F +49 40 209 409-2550

E onyx@arcotelhotels.com | www.arcotelhotels.com/onyx

An unusual kitchen idea

During the course of a 2-month internship, the winner of the Sharp #GetItDownOnPaper Competition Siobhán Andrews took advantage of the resources available at such a successful and technically adept company to bring her idea to life in the form of a prototype. Her concept for potentially making life in the kitchen easier for any amateur chef is the so-called Chopping Board 2.0, also known as the Chop Sync. The Chop Sync is essentially a large board which combines several practical functions.
An Internet connection provides users with a convenient way of seeking out the required recipe in advance ready to be brought to life in the actual pots and pans. The ingredients needed can be measured out on the spot with the aid of integrated scales, and quantities are automatically calculated depending on the number of diners entered into the system. The surface of the device is even robust enough to allow all the component parts of the meal to be cut to the right shape and size on the chopping board itself. Although Siobhán’s invention may not find its way into the shops, we still think it’s still a pretty cool idea!

Hamburg for the whole family

Many argue that Hamburg is the most beautiful city in Germany. This is why it is also known as the "pearl" of the north. Hamburg has many faces, ranging from the historic (city centre) to the ultra modern (HafenCity), and from the traditional (fish market) to the hip and trendy (Schanzen district). We have asked around and looked around, and put together some great and entertaining thing s for the whole family to do. All you need to do is convene the family council, plan all the entertaining things you want to do and then enjoy your stay in the city. Allow yourself to be amazed by the diversity and variety of Hamburg!

SIGHTSEEING
What could be more exciting than discovering the history of the city of Hamburg together? The easiest way is with the legendary double - decker buses, great fun for all the family. It's not just the children that stand amazed at the port: everyone can marvel at the small boats and massive ships, some of which can also be boarded. Taking a trip in a small motorboat or a large steamboat is an experience in itself.

THE WORLD IN MINIATURE
Visiting the now world - famous MIWULA, Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg is an absolute must when here with the family. This is where you can see Europe's largest model train exhibition! It takes just a few minutes from the desert city of Las Vegas to Hamburg, while the large Knuffingen Airport is impressive not just for fans of aviation and technology, and you can even watch take-offs and landings.

ALWAYS ON THE MOVE
If the weather is good we recommend taking a trip to the Climbing Forest. Here, everyone aged 5 and up can hang from tree to tree. If you prefer the water then you can splash about and swim in one of the 25 Bäderland swimming pools, including the children's adventure area, flumes and jumps. And for anyone still not tired enough to fall into bed, there's always the Rabatzz indoor play area. Here it's all about running, climbing, crawling, sliding, jumping and skipping. The "Planten un Blomen" park offers the whole family the chance to experience nature in the heart of Hamburg. And if that is not adventurous and exciting enough, you can visit one of Germany's largest leisure and theme parks, Heide Park.

SCIENCE & CULTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Why does the giraffe have such a long neck? Can elephants really trumpet? And do orang-utans understand sign language? You'll find all the answers at the amazing Hagenbeck Zoo. If you want to know what it's like to grow up with monkeys or meet a real king of the jungle, you're best advised to take in one of the marvellous musicals in Hamburg, such as "ROCKY – the Musical" or "The Lion King". If it's the infinite stars in the sky above the Savannah in Africa that you're dreaming about, you can experience this "live" in one of the most advanced planetariums in Europe. We recommend the shows for children. But if things have yet to click for you then get yourself down to the KL!CK Children's Museum in Hamburg. Here it's all hands-on, and getting involved is a must.

What Hamburg is not.. part II

... or Six Misconceptions about Hamburg

A (tongue-in-check) expertise. Even though Iam not from Hamburg, and in fact wasn’t even born in Germany, I have been living in this Hanseatic city for several years now. And I love it. All towns, countries and even city districts sometimes have a hard time living down prejudices that people have about them. Hamburg is no exception. But enough of that! Let’s get straight down to Part II of six Misconceptions about Hamburg.


4. There is plenty of tasty fish in Hamburg
The fish are a rather tricky matter. Every Hamburger and, above all, every visitor to Hamburg, has heard of the famous "Fischmarkt". But you can also get bananas, salami, latte macchiato, vegetables and even household plants, such as yuccas, at the Fischmarkt. With more than 60,000 visitors per week, the fish market is definitely a tourist attraction. But in fact, nowadays most of the fish is transported deep-frozen to Hamburg by lorry and air. Hardly any freshly caught fish is landed now. This explains why the range of fish and fish restaurants is really no different to that in other large inland cities. Sorry, Hamburg, but these days, the plentiful supply of fish fresh off the boats is more of a myth than reality.

5. Hamburg equals harbour, bricks and water
Hamburg is often used as the backdrop for TV formats and films. And so the images of a typical port city with lots of water, red brick or clinker brink buildings and old grey houses with green slip roofs have spread. Of course, Hamburg has all of that. But Hamburg is also a very green city. Almost 14% of the metropolitan area is green space and there are roughly 1,400 parks. Just a few minutes’ walk away from the ARCOTEL Onyx is the 500,000 m2 Planten un Blomenpark in the heart of the city and at the start of the Reeperbahn.Or the Stadtpark, which with 150 hectares is three times bigger, and boasts a planetarium, ecological swimming pool and open-air pool, a lake, an open-air stage for concerts as well as playgrounds, barbecuing areas and of course plenty of vegetation.

6. "Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg"
Every year in May, Hamburg celebrates the birthday of the port of Hamburg with a massive spectacle that this year drew more than 1.5 million visitors. Hamburg‘s wealth and prosperity really is closely linked to the port and so the city’s residents always enjoy remembering 7 May 1189. This was when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa consented to the establishment of the harbour and granted Hamburg the status of an Imperial Free City which bestowed numerous privileges such as exemption from customs duties, free trade and fishing rights. Except the document that can still be found in the Hamburg State Archive is a forgery! It was made some 70 years after Barbarossa’s death. So strictly speaking, Hamburg is neither “free” nor a “Hanseatic city”. Scholars and historians are still debating the exact circumstances under which the document was produced and whether it is merely a 14th century copy of the original document that had been lost.

Yet whatever the case, Hamburg is and remains a wonderful city with wonderful people. I love it here!

Musuem and bunker underneath the Main Trainstation

Did you know that a bunker is hiding under our Hamburg Main Trainstation? Don't worry, you are not the only one who didn't know that. Even long-established Hamburg citizens do not know this .

Only 10 minutes from the hotel ARCOTEL Rubin exists the only underground bunker museum in Northern Germany . The bunker was built in 1941-1944 during the Second World War. The total area of ​​2,700 m² is spread over 3 floors and was designed to protect up to 2,460 people . Few Hamburg bunkers could accommodate so many people at once. After the war, the underground bunker at first fell into a deep sleep. In 1965, during the " Cold War" , the capacity of the bunker was increased in order to protect 2,702 people. 

Today the bunker provides a shelter for occurring disasters and for guided tours. The guide leads visitors through an adventurous journey to the underworld based on the history of World War II. During this tour , many of the 150 rooms are shown. The entrance to the bunker for the tour is located on the Steintorwall right next to the main train station and is also the entrance in case of an emergency. 

Tour info: bunker Steintorwall
Admission: EUR 7.00 per person , concessions EUR 5.00 per personDuration of the guided tour : 100 minutesPre-registration is essential for this tour. Your tour booking , you can easily book online.

What Hamburg is not..

... or Six Misconceptions about Hamburg

A (tongue-in-check) expertise. Even though Iam not from Hamburg, and in fact wasn’t even born in Germany, I have been living in this Hanseatic city for several years now. And I love it. All towns, countries and even city districts sometimes have a hard time living down prejudices that people have about them. Hamburg is no exception. But enough of that! Let’s get straight down to Part Iof six Misconceptions about Hamburg.

1. People from Hamburg are Cold and Reserved
I’ve only ever encountered cold Hamburgers in fast food restaurants. Hamburg is a large city with more than 1.8 million inhabitants. As the sobriquet "Gateway to the World" implies, Hamburg is and always has been more than a place from where people leave to make their way in the big, wide world, it’s also a place of arrival. And this of course raises the question of “who” is actually a typical Hamburger? As in every other large city, the population is now made up of people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds; there are even rumours that some Bavarians have settled here. As in every city, there are some people who are friendly, others who are less friendly, some who are reserved, others who are open and welcoming (and this list can be expanded indefinitely!). In the end of course the old saying is true: “you reap what you sow.” I have always found Hamburgers to be very friendly, helpful and pleasant, but perhaps that was also down to my way of “sowing".

2. There’s always a wind in Hamburg and it rains all the time
Definitely not. Sometimes it rains when there is no wind and sometimes there’s a wind but no rain. In fact, the amount of rainfall in Hamburg is no greater than the German average. If the statistics can be believed, it actually rains more on an annual average in Bavaria (sorry Bavarians, I’m using you again as an example) and in North Rhine Westphalia. My personal feeling is that this could be true, but in Hamburg the amount of rainfall is distributed over several days. So, for example,100 litres of rain might fall in 5 hours in Baden-Württemberg, but in Hamburg the 100 litres falls over 3 days. And so it’s called greater air humidity – but you get wet all the same. Seriously though, we have some lovely weather in Hamburg; this year we had a fantastic summer for example. But it can’t be helped: the image of the Hanseatic sea dog, in his oilskin battered by rain and storm has become firmly entrenched in the popular imagination. That’s just how it is in the far north, in the port city on the coast. This brings me to the next misconception!

3. Hamburg is on the Coast
When I’m travelling and am asked where I come from, I’m often astonished at people’s reaction when I say "Hamburg". Usually, they then say oh yes, Hamburg, the Reeperbahn (we’ll get to that later), the harbour and the sea (or perhaps the North Sea and sometimes the Baltic). The sea? Yes, of course there’s water, and plenty of it, and there are bridges, more than in Venice and of course the port. Although the Port of Hamburg is the second-largest in Europe, (Rotterdam is a neck ahead at the moment), you can’t chug out on a boat for a few minutes and find yourself rocking on the waves of the North Sea. You have to chug along for about a 100 kilometres to get to the mouth of the Elbe in the North Sea. So forget any idea you might have about seeing the sea in Hamburg. But then when I find myself down at the harbour, hear the cry of the seagulls, the dull sound of the ships horns vibrate in my stomach and watch the water ballet performed by the giant ships and small fishing boats, then I find myself thinking that Hamburg is perhaps on the coast after all.
All I can say is: I love you, you pearl of the north.

And anyone who doesn’t believe what I’ve written should quickly book a holiday in Hamburg and see for themselves.

to be continued!

Apple Day - or funny and interesting things about the apple

Right on time for Apple Day, we want to devote our blog entry today to the refreshing and healthy fruit. Whoever thinks “Apple... how boring”, should know that the apple can do much more than just spend its existence as the bitten into variety in the logo of a large and well-known American company.

Viewed historically, the apple already has several legends under its belt. One of the best known is probably the story of Adam and Eve, in which the apple played a rather fateful role. Also in Greek mythology, the apple in the form of a present was rumoured to have finally triggered the Trojan War. In many cultures, the round fruit is indeed considered a symbol for love, fertility and the giver of life, and is assigned as a symbol to the corresponding goddesses.

Now as then, the apple serves as an excellent source of vitamins and keeps the body healthy.
Particularly during the winter months, the vitamin store needs to be regularly replenished. For this reason, we are greeting our guests when they arrive with tasty apples in their rooms. The teeth also benefit from regularly enjoying an apple: the apple is also commonly known as Nature’s toothbrush.

And we finish with a small fun fact:

A well-known apple lover was Friedrich Schiller. All over his studio and in his desk drawers were apples, but not to eat, as it is generally thought. Friedrich Schiller loved the mouldy apple smell given off by the decaying fruit. This smell was the source of his inspiration.

ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb celebrates 10 years of existence

On the 10th of October 2013 the first design and lifestyle hotel in Zagreb invited its numerous clients and guests at an anniversary under the motto "the famous 10".  The invitation from the director Ms. Ljiljana Mikić, in order to mark the 10th anniversary of the ARCOTEL Allegra in the Croatian capital, was attended by 300 guests, who had the opportunity to enjoy international gourmet food and a relaxed atmosphere.  

 

The chairman of the Board of the ARCOTEL Hotel AG, sir. Manfred Mayer was happy that he had the chance to greet the guests on the spot, "The characteristics of the hotels are the typical Croatian hospitality combined with the famous Austrian charm. To this end we will continue to delight our guests with unchanged genuine kindness and sincerity."

 

To celebrate the anniversary, professional cocktail masters made a special "JOE'S SPECIAL JUBILEE-COCKTAIL". Chef John Simončić, along with his team, has prepared for the guests the best dishes and delicacies from seven destinations where the ARCOTEL Hotels are located - Berlin, Hamburg, Klagenfurt, Linz, Stuttgart, Vienna and Zagreb. The guests celebrated until the early hours of the morning to the music of the band Status.

ARCOTEL Allegra is an ideal base for exploring the cultural and historical sights, and is ideal for business meetings in the city. Joe's Bar is located in the hotel lobby, which is reminiscent of the atrium in some of the southern countries. By day, it is the perfect place to start the day and meet with friends or business partners, and in the evening a favorite place with a great selection of the best cocktails in town. Radicchio restaurant is known for its Mediterranean cuisine.

 

ARCOTEL Group is one of Austria's largest companies in the field of tourism in the city and business hotel industry with the international standard and top-quality. It was founded in 1989. and currently has 10 four-star hotels with a total of 1778 rooms in Austria, Germany and Croatia.

Autumn - Time for the largest berry of the world

This month is culinarily devoted to "the largest berry of the world" - the pumpkin.
Cucurbits are originally from America , but are now cultivated in all the warmer regions . Our ancestors have eaten the edible squash many thousands of years before Christ in many different variations already . What makes the usually orange -colored berries so delicious and healthy, is the fact that the pumpkin is low on calories ( 25 calories per 100 grams), is rich in vitamins, aromatic and wonderfully versatile in the kitchen.

Our recipe of the month is hence simple, but delicious:

Pumpkin Apple Cream Soup .
Follow this link in order to receive the recipe : http://bit.ly/monatsrezept

Who is up for a nightcap in the crystal bar: this month awaits our guests another two great  creations of the Martini family:

AGAVE CHOCOLATE MARTINI & BASIL MARTINI

Not just a looker during production, also a great taste experience , or have you ever tasted a cocktail with basil?

What a (Theatre) Performance in St. Pauli

St. Pauli, or more specifically the Reeperbahn, also known as the most sinful mile in the world, is one of Hamburg’s leading tourist attractions. But locals too have always enjoyed spending time on “sin street” and seeing one of the many brilliant shows or theatre productions there.

So as you see, the Reeperbahn is not just for party people and clubbers. Just a few minutes’ away from the ARCOTEL Onyx you’ll find award-winning productions like The King’s Speech, entertaining classics by Agatha Christie and musical productions with tricks that are fit for a circus.

We would like to briefly introduce the Top 6 most popular playhouses in St. Pauli.
A blog in two acts, featuring

Act I:
St. Pauli Theater
Schmidt Theater
Schmidts TIVOLI

Act II: (Preview)
TUI Operetta House
Fliegende Bauten
Imperial Theater

St. Pauli Theater
The St. Pauli Theater is one of the oldest theatres in Germany. This listed playhouse is situated in the heart of the neighbourhood, right on the Reeperbahn, next door to the famous Davidwache police station. For many years, the theatre only staged guest performances, but since Thomas Collien and Ulrich Waller took over, it has gained a reputation as a theatre with some of the most innovative productions in Hamburg. A quote from the St. Pauli Theater website illustrates the current concept very nicely: "The St. Pauli Theater deliberately does not want to be a state or municipal theatre with a programme that could just as well be shown at the Schauspielhaus or the Thalia. The location, the proximity to the Davidwache and the rough wind of the Reeperbahn demand a certain programmatic focus. Pieces here have to be robust and popular but without being populist. Intelligent entertainment in outstanding quality, with the best actors.... "

Current Highlight: Linie S1- The Hamburg Musical
Programme: Preview for the month

Schmidt Theater
The Schmidt Theater took up its work at precisely 8 minutes past 8 on 8.8.88 when Corny Littmann and Ernie Reinhardt (better known as Lilo Wanders) fulfilled their dream of a playhouse of their own. The former Kaiserhof dance hall on the Reeperbahn thus became the meeting point and a springboard for a host of German and international stars and starlets, including Hildegard Knef, Heidi Kabel, Harald Juhnke and Dirk Bach to name just a few. The Schmidt Theater opened its doors again on 8.8.2005, freshly renovated and with its audience capacity doubled to 420, having lost nothing of its red velvet and plush factor. Today, the theatre delights young and old with unique productions like "Villa Sonnenschein", or the "Schmidt-Wintergala" and its productions for children such as "Es war einmal, 7 Märchen auf einen Streich".

Current Highlight: DIE KÖNIGS VOM KIEZ
Programme: Programme

Schmidts TIVOLI
Just next door, or more accurately almost next door, to the Schmidt Theater is Schmidts TIVOLI. Many people say it has the most beautiful auditorium in Hamburg. From 1925 to 1990 the former beer garden (which until early 1900 did not even have a roof), was home to a Bavarian restaurant with the Tyrolean name ZILLERTAL. In 1991 it was taken over by Corny Littmann and Prof. Norbert Aust (who for 11 years was the Dean of the Hamburg University of Economics and Politics). Renovation work uncovered old murals and frescoes, which today give the theatre a very special charm. The octagonal auditorium has room for 620 theatre-goers and a stage that projects into the room, allowing actors and audience to get close up to one another. The theatre stages both dramas, such as the smash one-man piece CAVEMAN, and musical productions, in particular HEIßE ECKE - the St. Pauli musical. And the HEIßE ECKE, which has already been seen by 1.5 million visitors, is not the only piece at Schmidts TIVOLI to have been completely produced by the theatre itself (idea, text, music, etc.).

Current Highlight: HEIßE ECKE–The St.Pauli Musical
Programme: Programme

Culinary September Highlights

Tafelspitz – A Viennese Classic

The name of the delicious cut of boiling beef that is so well-known from Viennese cuisine is of Bavarian-Austrian origin. While it is basically a simple dish to prepare, a couple of tips and tricks are needed to make sure you get the very best result. Beef that is boiled in water quickly loses its distinctive flavour, so the secret is making sure that you season the stock properly. One well-known lover of Tafelspitz was the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. He could never get enough of the tender cut of beef that is similar to silverside.

Viennese Tafelspitz is served in a bowl together with the stock in which it was boiled. Traditionally, it is accompanied by apple and horseradish sauce.

The picture shows our: Altwiener Tafelspitz with chive sauce, apple and horseradish sauce, pan-fried potatoes and fine creamed spinach

Pssst… our cocktail of the month will also knock your socks off:

Negroni – The Stronger Americano

The origins of the Negroni cocktail can be traced back to Italy. According to legend, Count Camillo Negroni, a well-known man about town, went to his favourite bar one day and asked the barman to make him a stronger Americano. The barman responded by creating this unusual drink which is made of Campari, vermouth and gin. Ever since, this delightful drink has been known as a "Negroni" and in Italy it is especially popular as an aperitif.

"Heaven can wait chor" at the St. Pauli Theater

Inspired by the American film "Young @ Heart", and the British band "The
Zimmer", whose oldish members not only inspire the Americans and British, the generation is also in this regional choir project of the St. Pauli Theater 70 + on stage and they want to rock. "This choir performs only hits from the past few decades, such as "Stayin 'Alive" by the Bee Gees, "die perfekte Welle" by Juli, "Gekommen um zu bleiben" by Wir sind Helden, "Smells Like Spirit" by Nirvana. They are nightly accompanied by a live band.

The musical manager Jan Christof itself is an all-rounder and knows the Hamburg music scene like no other.

Credits: Frank Siemers

Sporty, Sportier, ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg 2nd Place in the Competition for the Sportiest Team of Hosts

"Do you go jogging with your colleagues through the hotel lobby, do press-ups in the restaurant, turn pans into dumbbells in the kitchen or compete against one another in the hotel pool. Or do you work out together after you’ve finished work? If you do, then take a photo!" – this was the invitation to take part in a competition of a very different kind.
"Our 4-star Superior Hotel ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg didn’t have to be asked twice by the AHGZ (Allgemeinen Hotel- und Gastronomie-Zeitung) and got straight down to business – after all, this competition was simply perfect for a hotel team that is always on the move", as Manfred Mayer – CEO of ARCOTEL Hotel AG – put it.

The reception was turned into a gym as the ARCOTEL Rubin team showed off its sporty side.
Trainee Elisa Schöncke occasionally likes to take the plunge into a hotel bath, while Marco Schubert, the head waiter from the banqueting department, keeps himself fit by doing chin-ups on the baggage trolley. And if that were not enough, he "lifts" both Front Office Manager Myriam Spalting and Front Office Agent Caroline Schweizer and their chairs. The AHGZ rewarded this tongue-in-cheek sporting ambition with a voucher for a House Running session. Adventure-loving athletes are attached to a special harness and then given the chance to take a most unusual walk along the edge of a hotel roof before walking down the side of the building facing the floor.

Rainer Müller – Management ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg:
"Our team has already built up a reputation as passionate hosts – after all, the ARCOTEL claim is 'Hosts with a Passion'. The ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg also has a passion for sports and proves that a 'sporting attitude' is always an advantage, even for a job in the hotel industry."

It doesn’t always have to be St. Pauli!

Without a doubt, St. Pauli, home to the harbour and the Reeperbahn, is one of the most exciting districts of Hamburg. But there’s much more to the city than St. Pauli. Whether you’re looking for a bar, restaurant or suggestions for a trip to the surrounding countryside, Calido Cumbassa, a page at the ARCOTEL Onyx, always has a couple of good tips up his sleeve for our guests.

Küchenwerkstatt
The name says it all at this restaurant, with its strong emphasis on culinary skills. Moreover, seasonal creations, be they fish, meat or vegetables, really are seasonal. In 2009 the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. You can simply taste the fact that chef Gerald Zogbaum insists that everything that comes onto your plate is fresh and homemade. And he loves to surprise guests by using traditional, almost forgotten, types of vegetables or herbs in his dishes.
www.kuechenwerkstatt-hamburg.de

GOLEM
If you are looking for something beyond the Hamburg mainstream, then I would recommend the GOLEM.This is a bar where skilfully mixed cocktails, champagne and draught beer meet in a most unconventional fashion. No one is chasing trends here. But perhaps that is precisely why GOLEM is something of a trend itself. And then there are usually other events going on as well – from music to films. And what about the legendary book shelf? Come and find out!
http://golem.kr

Altes Land
The "Altes Land" is just a stone’s throw away from Hamburg and is the largest contiguous fruit-producing region in Northern Europe. But it has more to offer than fresh fruit and a charming landscape; the real "Altländer cuisine" is another attraction. A number of restaurants and inns have taken up the cause of regional cuisine and offer tasty specialities like "Diekpedder" or "cherry soup". And you should definitely try a piece of "Altländer apple streusel cake" made with fresh fruit from the region.
www.tourismus-altesland.de

Hamburg is simply a wonderful place for hiking!

Anybody who enjoys hiking when on holiday is unlikely to think of Hamburg as an obvious place to do so. They are far more likely to have images of the harbour or the Reeperbahn in their minds or hear the voices of Hans Albers and Freddy Quinn. And then, there are the famous clubs, such as the Indra or the Star Club and, of course, the Beatles. Red double-decker busses, the Fish Market, real Jack Tars, the rugged North. To say nothing of events such as the DOM, the "Hafengeburtstag", the "Schlagermove", the "Reeperbahnfestival", "EllbJazz" and various open air concerts.

But hiking? The city on the Elbe in northern Germany is not only an amazingly vibrant city; it’s also a great place for hiking – both within the city and around it. As the painter Paul Klee said, “You can see so much more on foot”.

Alster Trail
The Alster Trail starts in Schleswig-Holstein and extends to the mouth of the Elbe in Hamburg. As part of the "Via Baltica", the North German "Camino de Santiago", it is some 36 km long in total. The Alster Trail meets the Elbe Trail at the mouth of the Elbe, which means that it is possible to hike through Hamburg from north to west. You can also travel some of the way by boat, rowing boats or pedal boats can be borrowed along the route. 

Boberger Lowland & Borberger Dunes
Hamburg’s last shifting dune is part of one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Germany. South-east of Hamburg, on the edge of the glacial reaches of the Elbe, this beautiful landscape between Kirchsteinbeck and Bergedorf covers an area of some 350 ha. Hiking through sandy areas, dry grassland, alder forests, past wetland habitats, you meet a plethora of rare and protected plants and animals such as wild orchids on the "Geesthang", green woodpeckers, kingfishers, sand lizards and moor frogs.

Raakmoor
Hamburg’s tallest hill is located here in Raakmoor. A full 103 metres above sea level, you have a glorious panoramic view from the "summit". Raakmoor is a remnant from the last ice age and is now a nature reserve. Rare animals and plants, such as the emperor dragonfly or the marsh gentian, have also settled her. The area is full of romantic hiking trails, restored ditches and there is even a small lake waiting to be discovered.

The ARCOTEL Rubin Team on the HSH Nordbank Run

The simple basic idea behind the HSH Nordbank Run, northern Germany’s biggest charity run, is to get people out running with their colleagues, bosses and friends with none of the stress of a competition and with the satisfaction of knowing it’s all in a good cause. The team at the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg also liked the sound of this fantastic idea and last weekend put on their running shoes to help a good cause.

In glorious summer weather, thousands gathered in the HafenCity for the same reason as the team from the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg, namely to run four kilometres through this youngest and rapidly-growing district of Hamburg in aid of the children’s charity "Kinder helfen Kindern". All in all: 789 teams with 21,162 participants took part – a phenomenal success!

Rainer Müller – General Manager of the ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg:
"The HSH Nordbank Run is northern Germany’s biggest charity run and thanks to steadily growing enthusiasm, has become a tradition in its own right. It was a great honour for us to take part in this exemplary project with other like-minded people. One of the most fantastic things was that we all had so much fun while at the same time doing something for our health and raising money for charity. "

The four kilometre race was more exciting than ever this year: After the horn of the Queen Mary 2 had given the starting signal, the teams ran through the Sandtor Park towards the Überseequartier in glorious sunshine and a light breeze. The commercial heart of the HafenCity was followed by perhaps the most beautiful section of the route, with runners moving along the waterfront of the Brooktorhafen before circling the Ericusspitze. The next section of the route went to the Sandtorkai and offered a wonderful view of the Speicherstadt, before continuing to the landing stages of the venerable harbour. Runners then continued over the spacious Magellan terraces in the direction of the Kaiserkai Promenade with its magnificent view of Hamburg’s future landmark, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Now it was just a few more metres to the Marco Polo terraces and the finishing line of what is probably the most beautiful course in Germany.

Through the Streets of Hamburg with a Camera

An increasing number of people are discovering their creative bent and combining their hobby with a city break. Hamburg, with its many different facets, is a real paradise for photographers in search of the perfect shot.

On the one hand, there is contemporary Hamburg, with the Hafencity andexciting buildings like the Elbe Philharmonic Hall (even if it isn’t quite finished yet) and the "Berliner Bogen" on Anckelmannsplatz. And of course, the "Tanzende Türme" that are right next door to the ARCOTEL Onyx on the Reeperbahn. Yet as well as the many new buildings, Hamburg also has plenty to offer in the way of spectacular "mixed architecture". Set off with your camera to explore the Speicherstadt  warehouse district and you’ll findimposing brick buildings, sometimes complemented by contemporary glass and steel architecture. Incidentally, the Speicherstadt is the largest continuous warehouse complex in the world. And of course, the city on the Elbe also has a host of historic buildings, churches, monuments and all sorts of other architecturally exciting motifs.

But Hamburg is not just a treat for architecture lovers. If you‘re on the lookout for "urban life style", hoping to capture "real life", the various districts of the Hanseatic city have plenty to offer by both day and night. First and foremost of course on the Reeperbahn. Whether you go at half past one in the morning or at dawn when the "world’s most sinful mile" is still asleep, the district of St.Pauli will set your photographer‘s heart racing. Things are much more dignified around the Alster and the quintessence of the Hanseatic bourgeoisie can best be photographed in Blankenese. If you fancy a complete contrast you should definitely take your camera to the trendy, whimsical and controversial "Schanzenviertel". And don’t be afraid to go looking for shots in the small side streets away from the "Sternschanze" or the "Schulterblatt". It really is worth it.

If you want a bit of everything, you should try the district of St. Georg. This area, which is home to our second hotel, the ARCOTEL Rubin, is a reflection of Hamburg in all its facets – from the trendy Lange Reihe, to the multicultural Steindamm.

The extensive port area, parks such as "Planten un blomen" and the Stadtpark, the Inner and Outer Alster lakes, and the nearby "Altes Land" offer perfect subjects for wide format and detailed landscape photography.

So polish your lenses, pack your camera bag and set off on your Hamburg photo safari.

ARCOTEL Hotels and VERPOORTEN make Hobby Bakers’ Dreams Come True!

"Win a place at a baking workshop and at the same time spend a luxury weekend in the 4-star superior hotel ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg, including travel to and from the hotel." That was the invitation to all amateur baking enthusiasts who didn't want to miss this fantastic opportunity. ARCOTEL Hotels and VERPOORTEN gave away places at this very special culinary summit meeting, which included hotel accommodation, in a prize draw and made 16 participants extremely happy.

A World Champion Pastry Chef met a "yellow classic" at the 4-star superior hotel ARCOTEL Rubin. With her heavenly recipes, the World Champion Pastry Chef Andrea Schirmaier-Huber (35) belongs to the nation's culinary elite and sets the standard for unusual and exquisite baked goods. Baking enthusiasts now had the perfect opportunity to learn from her at a one-off bakery workshop at the ARCOTEL Rubin. Together they prepared culinary creations using the "yellow classic" according to fail-safe recipes developed by Andrea Schirmaier-Huber exclusively for the family-owned business VERPOORTEN from Bonn. She also gave valuable baking tips and showed the group a number of tricks as well as demonstrating the versatility of VERPOORTEN ORIGINAL as an ingredient in tasty recipes.

The list of recipes that were tried out at the baking workshop at the ARCOTEL Rubin delighted the group even before things got started. The programme included Amore Cake Pops, Love Muffins with Strawberries and VERPOORTEN, and spring cheesecake cup-cakes.

Follow the link for additional photos, recipes and tutorial videos:
http://www.verpoorten.de/specials/Kuchen-Rezepte-Back-Workshop-mit-Konditoren-Weltmeisterin.html

Wax, or real life

On the Spielbudenplatz, just a few minutes' walk from the ARCOTEL Onyx in Hamburg, you will find the Panoptikum, one of the oldest waxworks in Germany. It was established in 1879 by Friedrich Hermann Faerber and is now managed by the fourth generation of the family in the shape of Dr. Hayo Faerber.

130 years ago, wax figures of famous people, including criminals and rare sights such as "dwarves" and "giants", were the only way for many people to actually see these persons first-hand. Most of the press was just text, no pictures, and all other media had yet to be invented.
The Panoptikum is the only wax museum from this time that is still in operation. However, there are not only historical figures on display, the exhibits are constantly expanded with new additions, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Lena Meyer-Landrut or Robbie Williams.
Of course, situated on "Spielbudenplatz" the link to the Reeperbahn and St. Pauli is important. Here you can meet local legends such as Anita Niehoff, who was known as "Domenica", not to mention Hans Albers and Freddy Quinn. And Udo Lindenberg, or his wax double, invites you to come and meet him on his beloved "Geile Meile" (Sin Street).

One very interesting part of the exhibition is where they show you how the waxworks are made. It takes between nine and twelve months for the artists and sculptors to create a new figure. These hand-made "works of art" are made with an eye for detail in many small, individual steps.

Visiting the Panoptikum is by all means a fantastic experience for both young and old.
And there's only one rule: don't leave your camera at home!