The Fontenay

A five-star hotel (a €100 million investment), with prices to match (though perhaps not quite as extreme as one might expect). The lake-side wavy/circular structure, with an interior marked by soft turquoise, light blue and beige, is in tune with the Alster, and apparently its creator, Hamburg-born architect Jan Störmer, was inspired by the park landscape and the waterline of the lake. Materials and decor include parquet flooring of oak wood from the forest of the Fontenay Abbey in Burgundy, plus Danish-made objects by design brand Georg Jensen and original artwork by Peruvian painter Antonio Máro. State-of-the-art amenities include a rooftop spa, infinity pool and, in the hotel's words, "Hamburg's most beautiful gym". There's even a pricey afternoon tea. Opened in 2018, on the side of the Alster that's further away from St Georg, while still central. Considering the hotel's name, 'The Fontenay', and that of its host (Thies Sponholz), is it any wonder that it's included in these listings?