in others under AccorHotels management, several eco-
friendly features are found in the guest rooms. The wood
of Sofitel MyBed is sourced from sustainably-managed
forests; bedspreads and pillowcases are made from recycled
bottles. Bathroom amenities are of well-known luxury
brands, but eco-certified soap, shower gel, and shampoo are
also available; the cleaning products used by the hotel are
environmentally-friendly and eco-certified. Guests are also
requested to reuse their towels. Savings made on water and
energy are used to fund tree planting activities.
An observant hotel guest will easily spot two features
of interest in the room. The first is a long, thin wooden
drawer, shaped like a safety deposit box in a bank, pulled
out halfway to hold a champagne bottle. The bubbly is, of
course, very French, but the drawer is a replica of a post-
office box for letters, hinting at the hotel’s provenance.
Next is a framed photograph of a dancing couple taken
from a few decades ago. Similar photographs are hung
everywhere in the hotel, like pictures of the family on a
mantle or on a wall, because the artist, Martin Mlecko,
wanted to create a feeling of home.
From the modern architecture in an old part of town,
the contrast continues inside. The design team of Harald
Klein and Bert Haller juxtaposed cold marble with
plants for something natural, geometric patterns with
the free-flowing shape of an interesting piece of dried
wood, glass and steel with warm brown wood. These
combinations continue on to every floor, to every room.
This is a successful marriage of French art de
vivre with Hanseatic Hamburg, of enjoying life with
doing business.
Sofitel Hamburg has several dining outlets which
feature healthy and sustainable food. Applying the
initiative Planet 21, the hotel offers products grownview finder
(Clockwise from above) The bridge on the Alster Canal connects the Old Wall and the New Wall; The modern façade of a grand
hotel; Seagull Spa and the swimming pool; (opposite) The Canal Terracephilippine tatler. august 2019 83