The hotel The Fontenay is situated at one of the most beautiful locations on this earth for a city resort. In the heart of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg, direct on the Aussenalster, in the middle of a park.
I’m returning. Four years have passed since my last visit. Will it still be as paradisiacal and the design as enchanting as back then? Yes, it certainly is. The interior design at The Fontenay still reflects as much attention to detail as before. Flower arrangements as far as the eye can see; kind people who make my arrival easy and the furnishings are still just like new.
When my gaze can wander again after being preoccupied checking in, I remember the hotel’s centerpiece. The almost 30 meter high atrium with its comfortable 25 meter long sofas. A dream, I had not internalized it as beautiful as this. The sound is intoxicating, as someone is playing on the Steinway grand piano in the bar. The weather in Hamburg is cool, what else, we are, after all, speaking of the city in the north. Inspired by the musical rain I indulge in a glass of Champagne at the bar on the sixth floor and after this sparkling refreshment begin my short trip to the exclusive spa area, which extends over 1000 square meters, under the heading «go with the flow». The urban roof landscape with the 20 meter long indoor and outdoor pool with sun terrace is a magical place. From a swimmer’s perspective the Infinity pool and the Alster lake seemingly form a common waterline. Pure resilience.
For all those who did not get the chance to read my article in 2018, an inspiration statement for all fans of design: The architect was inspired by water, trees and the sky and designed a building with a basic form consisting of three overlapping circles, which flowingly embeds itself into the Alster landscape. The result is not only a paradise for fans of architecture and design, but also a balance between urbanity and nature.
Jan Störmer, the Berlin born architect said to me at the time: “In The Fontenay the furniture has to show consideration for the architecture.” At our next meeting I will ask him how he felt on his first night in The Fontenay …
Jan Störmer was born in Berlin in 1942. After studying in Bremen, Hamburg, Delft and London he founded Hamburg Design GmbH for architecture, industry and graphic design in 1970. Followed two years later by the foundation of the architect group me di um, Hamburg (with three partners). In 1990 the Jan Störmer Architekten office was formed, later to be renamed following a merger with Will Alsop as Alsop & Störmer Architects, Hamburg, London, Moscow. Since 2002 Holger Jaedicke, and since 2004 Martin Murphy have been partners in the office, which today operates under the company name Störmer Murphy and Partners. Jan Störmer has played a decisive role in the architectural scene in Hamburg. He is in wide demand as a juror in architectural design competitions and lectures both at home and abroad.
Photos Copyrights: The Fontenay Hamburg
