Curio – A Collection by Hilton has made its European debut with the reopening of the historic Reichshof Hamburg in Germany.
Located at the market opposite the Hamburg Central Railway Station, the hotel was originally founded by Anton Emil Langer in 1910 with maritime-inspired interiors later complemented by an Art Deco façade added in the 1920s.
The new revamp was led by locally based JOI-Design, who mingled the hotel’s Empire and Art Deco styles with references to local culture. Despite modernizing the infrastructure to international standards, the firm preserved and restored the hotel’s Art Deco-era details—such as marble columns, timber panels, and brass detailing—in the public areas and guestrooms. The expansive lobby was reconfigured with the reception desk relocated from the entrance to the back of the room.
Contemporary chandeliers made with pink resin and red pendant lights suspended from wall niches illuminate the lobby’s neutral palette. Modern platinum leather lounge chairs and organically shaped poufs are juxtaposed with traditional caramel leather sofas featuring button tufting and nailhead trim. A collection of contemporary and vintage black and white photographs, artwork, and advertisements from Hamburg—such as a sepia-toned photograph of the original hotel lobby hanging over the daytime bar—add a touch of local culture.
Branching off this central lobby are Bar 1910, Restaurant Slowman, and the vinyl lounge—a gray and purple space with turntables, vintage records, and headphones reserved for hotel residents’ use. New to the hotel and led by head chef Frank Bertram, Restaurant Slowman is a concept from Michelin-starred chef-turned-restaurateur Christian Rach that was moved onsite from its previous Hamburg location. JOI-Design restored original features—such as satin timber paneling and marble, copper, and gold columns—and added polished marble dining tables, velvet and leather seating, dark timber flooring, custom lamps, and an enlarged buffet outfitted with high tables and barstools.
Formerly the M&M Bar, Bar 1910 now stands out with renewed timber joinery and embossed, low-height ceilings. Wall lamps and recessed soffit lights complement groupings of leather tub chairs, marble cocktail tables, and a marble bar that extends the length of the restaurant.
The hotel’s capacity was reduced from 300 to 278 guestrooms, six junior suites, and three one-bedroom suites. The taupe rooms feature a pedestal nightstand atop a polished steel base; an asymmetric headboard with padded leather headrests and timber segments inset with backlit sections; and pendant lights with faceted crystal globes. A fluid-like ribbon pattern streaks across carpeting and wallcoverings with neutral-colored lounge chairs accented by green cushions.
