The Best Budget Hotels to Book in Hamburg

Completely renovated only a few years ago, the clean lines, bright spaces and beautifully finished rooms of the NH make it the ideal base for a Hamburg adventure. The cool bars, cafes, restaurants and shops of trendy Schanzenviertel are just a stone’s throw away, and you are only two U-Bahn stops to the Hamburg exhibition complex, three to the Gänsemarkt public square and four to the Jungfernstieg shopping promenade. Hamburg is a cycling city, so be sure to take advantage of the bike rentals at reception.

This ever-reliable and classy chain delivers another winner here. More traditionally furnished than its Mitte sister, the Horner Rennbahn NH is so close to the Horner Rennbahn racetrack you can almost hear the hay being chewed, let alone the thunder of hooves. Decide to go for a flutter and you’re well placed to splurge your winnings, as the hotel is just a 15-minute journey into the centre of the city, where a parade of bars will welcome you with open arms.

Mixing the informal feel of an upscale hostel with the sophistication and high-quality finish of a boutique hotel, the Meininger has a unique appeal. The minimalist, stripped-back feel of the rooms is in keeping with the industrial vibe of Hamburg, and the friendly staff are on hand to help you rent a bike, provide a packed lunch (or breakfast) or point you in the direction of somewhere good to eat in the Sternschanze quarter, a short walk away.

Encouraging you to “Conquer Hamburg St Pauli like a local”, this hostel ticks the boxes for anyone looking for a no-frills base from which to explore. The rooms of this budget Hamburg hotel are simple, but very clean – with nice little design touches and marks of quality (such as Casper mattresses) that makes it feel boutique rather than budget. Downstairs, a budget buffet breakfast is on offer, and the entertainment offerings include a lounge with magazines, a projector screen and, most importantly, a bar.

The rooms here are a delight and come equipped with a large king-size bed, flat-screen TV, safe and Nespresso coffee maker, as well as a mini fridge, high-speed wifi and an open bathroom with rain shower. A bright, modern restaurant area downstairs, a location close to the harbour and key sites such St Pauli, St Pauli Piers, the fish market, Jungfernstieg shopping promenade and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall make this a no-brainer for those looking to enjoy a high-spec stay without spending big bucks.

Just 15 minutes on the U-Bahn to the exhibition centre and the harbour, and eight minutes from the main train station, this highly rated economy offering – located in Wandsbek, a peaceful district of Hamburg – provides the ideal budget base to explore the harbour city. With clean, modern rooms offering all the usual facilities, the reliability of the brand will give you peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate on other things, such as gallivanting around this fantastic city.

Bright and stripped-back, but certainly not lacking that signature Hamburg design flair, this economy design hotel clocks up some major points for its attention to detail and relaxed atmosphere. With design by New York-based Karim Rashid, the space-age surroundings provide a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Positioned close to Hamburg’s main station, you are never far from things to do, and the buffet breakfast is extremely good value.

Pyjama Park describes itself as “a small boutique city hotel for business travellers, young design freaks and city-loving individualist”, so you may already have an idea of what to expect when you step through the doors of this eccentric hotel. Rooms (known as Parking Spaces here) are bright, tastefully furnished and individually decorated by a local urban artist. The excellent location means that the hippest quarter of Hamburg, with its countless shops, cafes and restaurants, is right on your doorstep – making it a perfect choice for a budget hotel in Hamburg.

Cosy, warm, friendly and surprisingly cool for a chain, the Motel One Hamburg Altona puts the port, the world-famous Reeperbahn and the fish market right on your doorstep. With its proximity to the water, the nautical theme throughout should come as no surprise, while rooms are beautifully finished and well equipped, with a rain shower, flat-screen TV and pillow menu. Breakfast costs extra, but is good value.