Sir Nikolai Hotel

Germany

It may have only opened a few months ago but Germany’s second Sir Hotel, tucked between Hamburg’s old town and the up-and-coming HafenCity district, has all the welcoming spirit of a cosmopolitan yet laid back old chum. Forget the stuffy pomp of a regular lobby, check-in is a refreshingly easy affair in the library-cum-bar of this Tardis-style converted warehouse. The rooms are a marriage of old meets new – a modern masculine on-trend design sees bold petrol grey and mustard hues, wooden floors, tan-suede bedheads and chunky armchairs set against Persian rugs, fish-eye mirrors, Marshall sound systems and art deco drinks trolleys. Bathrooms are all slick polished marble – a coming together of boutique meets industrial. Downstairs, a buzzy Izakaya serving Nikkei cuisine does brisk trade to guests and locals alike. It’s not cheap, but the flavours sing. Championing German efficiency, Japanese detail and international warmth, this is a perfect addition to the Hamburg hotel scene. Doubles from £130.