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.

Journey of discovery in the "Kennedy Room"

When you stay with us in the ARCOTEL John F Berlin, you almost feel as if you have crossed the Atlantic - and yet we’re in the heart of Berlin! The hotel is the ideal point of departure for a trip to America, not just because of the name, but also, and above all, because of the direct link to the former US President John F Kennedy. The living history in and around Berlin and the transatlantic German-American friendship has barely been summed up as concisely by anyone than by “JFK“, in his speech in front of the West Berlin City Hall in 1963. And nowhere is the legend of the former US head of state captured in such a cosy yet detailed manner than in our unique theme room, the “Kennedy Room”. 

Right down to the smallest detail, this room reflects the lifestyle of that era and the Oval Office in the White House. For example, the “Kennedy Room” includes an extravagant bed modelled on the First Lady’s bedroom, with light-blue material draped on the headboard. Your eye is also drawn to the special curtains in the same light-blue colour, as well as to the famous flagstaffs, just like the originals in the Oval Office. The bathroom is equipped with original American bath fittings too, and expresses its own rather unique charm. It is said that Kennedy had back problems, and therefore he loved to relax in a rocking chair. Drawing on this, architect, artist and industrial designer Harald Schreiber, who is responsible for the interior design of the hotel, dedicated the rocking chair in the theme room to John F Kennedy.

But it’s not just the “Kennedy Room“ where everything revolves around JFK: we honour the 35th US President with the design of the entire hotel! So in the lobby, for example, and in all other rooms you will find the legendary rocking chairs of the ARCOTEL John F Berlin. You will also see a US motto: “E pluribus unum” – a Latin phrase that roughly translates as “One out of many”. Equally unique are the delicate lamps on the bed headboards, in the bar and in the restaurant, which are modelled on a dress of the First Lady Jackie Kennedy and reflect her elegance. In the entrance area, guests are welcomed by an custom-made chandelier, which is a replica of the one in the White House.

Interested in all these exclusive design features? Then drop by and discover the many other unique details, and transport yourself to the White House in the ARCOTEL John F Berlin! Click here for our current offer: “I am a Berliner”.

For further information please contact:
T +49 30 288 86 578-96 | F +49 30 288 86 578-87 |
E reservation.johnf@arcotelhotels.com

Sales, Sales, Sales!  

Nowadays, almost no company can do without a strong sales team, no matter what business they’re in. Especially in the hotel industry, sales staff are an important part of the team and at the ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin and ARCOTEL John F Berlin we wouldn’t want to do without them. So we have taken the opportunity to ask some questions and look at the job in a little more detail for you!

Our Berlin hotels currently have two sales representatives. Their duties are very broad ranging and in particular include providing direct assistance to customers and partners. Tours of the hotel, visiting customers and telephone sales are just part of their everyday business. But in everything they do, the focus is always on our product: presenting our hotels in detail, getting people interested in booking them and, on occasion, negotiating!
As most of our sales team‘s work involves direct contact with a wide range of customers, strong communication skills are one of the most important requirements for the job: “Every day we are in contact with so many customers and members of staff that of course it is an advantage if you are articulate and empathetic by nature,!” says Victoria Stahlhut, Sales Representative at the ARCOTEL John F Berlin who also emphasises that: “It goes without saying that good manners are also absolutely essential in this profession.” 

Representing the hotels externally is also another key aspect of the team’s work. Sales staff show the customer the added value and the advantages of our “product”: “A good salesperson is not just a skilled negotiator! It’s far more important that they really believe in the product!”, says Linda Gronert, the Sales Representative at the ARCOTEL John F Berlin, who has been working in the Sales department for more than two years. “Our hotels don’t just score points with first-class comfort and an ideal location in the centre of Berlin. They also have a unique design concept that instantly makes an impression. Guests who stay with us are looking for something outside the mainstream!” Gronert continues. 

Sandy Fischer, Rooms Division Manager

Sandy Fischer, Rooms Division Manager at the ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin tells us even more about the job: “ARCOTEL group sales offensives and regular sales meetings give members of staff from all destinations in Germany, Austria and Croatia opportunities to share their experiences and develop joint strategies for customer acquisition and retention. This enables them to stay abreast of the constant changes in the industry and learn something new themselves every day!”

ARCOTEL Hotels are always on the lookout for enthusiastic employees – so don’t hesitate, click here and apply!

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.

Summer Holidays in Linz

...what a wonderful place to stay...

Summer is coming and with it many events and festivals will take place in Linz. We want to give you a little foretaste of the upcoming summer-highlights and present you two really marvellous specials. You can expect various and great events that will sure suit any taste!

Linz offers its visitors a varied arts and culture programme: In the direct vicinity of the ARCOTEL Nike, you will find the highlights of the art & culture mile, such as the Brucknerhaus concert hall, the Lentos Museum of Modern Art and the Ars Electronica Center. After a few minutes’ walk, you reach the Baroque main square in the old centre of Linz and the "Landstraße" with its numerous shops that invite you for a shopping spree.

(c) Stadtkommunikation Linz

But also for sport fans linz offers a lot of options. Whether you like running, cycling, swimming, hiking, tennis or to golf - Linz offers the right one for everybody! It combines the supply of many different indoor Sports like in every city with the opportunity of outdoor experiences in the wonderful and idyllic surrounding of Linz!

27th Pflasterspektakel

The Pflasterspektakel – one of the biggest street art festivals in Europe – presents an excellent variety of object and improvisation theatre, music of all kinds, dance, circus artistry, high-wire and fire acrobatics as well as clownery and comedic performance art at the highest level. Every year the festival features attractive program innovations and novelties. The “Kinderspektakel” offers a special program for kids including theatre for young audiences. Local artists present their works and projects on public space.
This year’s festival edition starts off on Wednesday, July 17th, with the premiere of “RADIANT” by the Roadside Company supported by the Pflasterspektakel production scholarship. 

(c) Linz Tourismus - Röbl

Höhenrausch.3 The Art of Towers 14th of June to 13th of october

The central feature of HÖHENRAUSCH.3 is the redesign of the rooftop pathway: the path across the roofs is expanded by a vertical axis. Towers add architectural accents to the bridges. The main Attraction and landmark of HÖHENRAUSCH.3 is the 30-meter-high "Upper Austria Observation Tower" made of fir wood, erected over the elevator shaft of the parking garage.
Two 30-meter-high, modern "Energy Towers" are set up in the OK Square. A manipulation of the steel skeleton gives them a sculptural quality. The useful towers are turned into a "playing piece", and the covered set-up area is turned into a place for visitors to linger.

These were just two of many worth seeing highlights of the summer in linz. Certainly it has much more to offer and discover! 
Annyhow we wish you  a lot of fun experiencing linz and if you're looking for the perfect accommodation we would be very pleased to welcome you in the ARCOTEL Nike Linz!

More Events and Highlights of the "Linzer summer"

Croatia at the EU gateway

The moment has come: in three weeks' time Croatia will become 28th member state of the Europan Union. The Government of the Republic of Croatia has already published some details of the celebration programme of Croatia's entrance to the EU which will be held in the evening hours of 30 June 2013 in Ban Jelačić square. The Croatian capital will become the centre and gather political leaders from the Member States of the European Union, countries of the Southeast European region, heads of European institutions and Croatian renowned citizens. Over 120 Prime Ministers, Presidents and Ministers of Foreign Affairs have been invited.

The programme of the central celebration as well as the information on the European high officials who have confirmed their arrival, will remain a secret for a few more days. The celebration commences already at 20.30 and it is the work of a famous theatrical and opera director Dora Ruždjak Podolski. 22.30 is the predicted time of the arrival of the politicians who will be seated at their reserved places following the central programme of the celebration. The Croatian Prime minister Zoran Milanović will hold the welcome speech, while the Croatian president Ivo Josipović the closing one.

Not only does the Croatian capital already feel the spirit of the European Union but also the whole Croatia. Many tourists and visitors who were or currently are visiting Croatia have been amazed with Croatia and the Croatian hospitality. ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb recognized the value of this destination already ten years ago and it is proud that it can greet its guests from the European Union all over again. The citizens of Croatia are also proud of the fact that Croatia is becoming a Member State of the EU and excited about the upcoming future. This approach represents a great challenge not only for Croatia but for the whole European Union as well and it is a signal for the improvement of the situation and a belief in a better tomorrow.

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.