OBERDECK Studio Apartment House

We arrived late in the evening, and the room was a shock. The hotel charged us €330 for two nights even though we left without staying 20 minutes. My wife and I could not safely manage the bedroom stairs, and the executive we reached by phone could not offer another room. We had to find somewhere else. The upstairs bedroom felt more like a cellar or attic, with limited headroom for tall people and one side of the bed against the wall. The person on that side would have to climb over the other to get out. Worst of all was the staircase: there were alternating short wooden blocks instead of full flat steps, making it feel like rock climbing. Going up or down half a step at a time to use the toilet at night would be dangerous, especially for seniors, people with obesity, or those with visual impairments. It might suit young honeymooners, but not us. The pictures make the rooms look more flattering than they are. Anyone considering a stay should inspect the room first and check that it suits them, even if the location is convenient.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the apartment had a balcony plus access to an incredible roof garden. Its bed on the galleria was a nice feature. The place has modern furniture and design, with enough room for two people to stay for a while, even though it isn’t very big. It’s directly at Hamburg Altona train station and would work well for a longer stay.

The check-in system caused a payment mess. We had already paid online but were charged again at check-in. When we asked for the duplicate payment to be returned to the original account, the hotel took two weeks just to address it, then sent the money to a different account despite clear instructions. The replies after that were arrogant. Their own system was the problem, and the service was poor enough that I can't recommend this place. There are many other Hamburg hotels with much better service.

Oberdeck Hamburg has secure building access and a reception staffed around the clock. The modern, nicely designed apartments are comfortable for anything from a weekend to a month-long stay. There’s no restaurant on site, but plenty of places to eat nearby. Laundry is available too, with a washer and dryer. It’s a stone’s throw from Altona, a great base for Hamburg.