When it comes to chain hotels, it’s easy to be a bit skeptical. But at the Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe, we found a modern, stylish hotel with everything we needed, plus a few extras.
Pitching itself as an economical option, Ibis delivers exactly what it says on the tin: good value, city-centre accommodation. Here’s a review of our stay at the Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe.
The rooms at Ibis
Our room at the Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe was clean, practical and modern. As far as furnishings and features go, we had a smart, sizeable wardrobe in the corner, a little flat-screen TV, some desk space, a chair and a little bench. It wasn’t the largest room I’ve ever stayed in, but we had all the space we needed.
The bathroom was a good size, larger than most I’ve stayed seen, with a generously-sized shower. It featured a large surface and sink, which was ideal for the far-too-many toiletries we packed with us. One problem: no bathroom lock.
“And what about the bed?” I hear you ask! The bed was solid. Not too hard, not too soft. A good size. A huge plus for me was the regular-sized pillows (as opposed to the gigantic, impractical sandbags you find everywhere in Germany). Two good nights’ sleep. Overall: 8/10.
Exploring St. Pauli & surrounds
The rooms at the Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe might be comfortable, but it’s the hotel’s great location that really sets it apart – and it’s right there in the name. St. Pauli is one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Germany, let alone Hamburg and is somewhere you’ll want to spend a lot of time during your visit.
St. Pauli is home to the infamous Reeperbahn, known as the ‘most sinful mile’ in Germany and boasting legendary clubs and bars, amongst other entertainment. (But despite being just around the corner, the hotel rooms are impressively quiet).
Avocado & raspberry ice cream from Luicella’s!
But away from the main drag, the wider St. Pauli is a much quieter, alternative haven filled with boutique shops selling self-branded merchandise, cobbled streets filled with cosy bars and at least one ice cream parlour selling flavours you couldn’t even make up (Luicella’s).
In short: it’s a lively area offering everything you need for the weekend. Definitely the coolest address in the city.
For a St. Pauli neighbourhood tour in English, check out this page.
The extras
It would be easy to assume that at an economical hotel like Ibis there’s no such thing as a free lunch – so to speak. But the hotel does offer a few frills that make it stand out.
The waffle bar
Travelling with someone with a very strong sweet tooth meant this was only going to end one way: competitive waffle making. (Which of course I won). But in all seriousness, I think this is a great feature and it certainly added a bit of fun to breakfast. Great for kids, but there were plenty of sensible-looking adult giving it a try, too!
Getting competitive trying to make the perfect breakfast waffle
Bike hire
Cycling is a great way to see almost any city in Germany, but with a beautiful lake in the town centre, Hamburg was practically made to be seen from a bicycle seat. Ibis offers five bikes to rent and can give some great advice on cycle routes.
The staff
The staff at the Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe were honestly lovely. We were really warmly welcomed, given some vouchers (I have to admit, I was a VIP*) and the staff went out of their way to make sure we had a pleasant stay.
Our warm welcome from Ibis 🙂
*Not really, but my stay was paid for. See the disclaimer below for more information.
Pros & cons of Ibis Hamburg St Pauli Messe
The good…
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel: this is not easy to find in Germany, so a big plus to Ibis for offering it both in the rooms and the lobby. There are two PCs in the foyer for additional internet access.
- Decent shower: I often think a decent shower can make or break a hotel stay, but the shower at the Ibis was great.
- Good bed: full marks for a comfy bed!
- Great location: in addition to being in one of Hamburg’s best neighbourhoods, the hotel is just a two-minute walk from the nearest U-Bahn station, which takes you straight to the city centre.
- Good parking: according to other reviews I read, the underground car park is offered at a discount and has plenty of spaces for large vehicles.
- Late breakfast at the weekend: breakfast is available until 11am on Saturday and Sunday – ideal for your late nights on the Reeperbahn.
- Baked beans for breakfast: a necessity.
The not-so-good…
- No lock on the bathroom door: that could get awkward…
- Plugs: our room seemed to lack plug sockets. We had to unplug the TV to charge both our phones.
- Size of room: the size was fine for us, but had we had much larger luggage, it would’ve been a squeeze.
- Weak tea for breakfast: Teekanne? Not for me, please.
Other reviews
But don’t just take my word for it. Here are the amalgamated review scores from countless booking websites, as compiled by trivago.
So next time you’re thinking of where to stay in Hamburg, consider Ibis Hamburg St. Pauli Messe.
Disclaimer: I visited Hamburg in co-operation with Come to Hamburg. As part of this campaign, my accommodation was provided free of charge. All opinions stated, however, are my own.