TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 2021 WITH US
Hamburg, 17 December 2021
The first hours of the year began unusually quietly. Normally, the new year is properly welcomed on St. Pauli. But this time was different. The Landungsbrücken had no crowds, the Kiez shone in its bright colors, but even here there were barely any people. No colorful fireworks were shining in the dark night sky above the harbor. Also, the hotel was empty. This year in particular, the motto was "wat mutt, dat mutt!" - that's what the Hamburger says in situations where they can' t change the situation much and instead of complaining, keep on going. Based on this motto, we made our way through this varied year. From the arrival of new apprentices in our company, to setting up the online check-in, and finally reopening. This year had quite a few highlights for us. Come along and take a look back with us at a year full of changes.
Picture: ©Jan Wigger
Start of the year in the lockdown
We started 2021 without any guests, and the house remained quiet. The nationwide lockdown and contact restrictions made it impossible to open our hotel. Despite all this, we looked forward to the new year with confidence. Without guests, but with craftsmen, some life came into the house. Bathrooms were renovated and in some cases entire rooms were renewed. The grumbling of the equipment interrupted the silence and made us look positive into the future. Full of hope that you - our guests - will enter the lobby again with bright eyes and enjoy the newly renovated rooms. But until then, some time should pass...
Bild: ©tastedbymyself
Bild: © tastedbymyself
Bild: ©tastedbymyself
Welcome on board
On February 1st, our new apprentices started their apprenticeship. We were very happy to welcome the five young women. Four of them are learning to be hotel specialists, the fifth is learning to be a restaurant specialist. Each of them was welcomed with open arms in our house and we are glad that they decided to work as apprentices in the hotel and restaurant industry despite the uncertain situation. Regardless of the lockdown and the resulting hotel closure, our new apprentices were able to learn a lot. They had the opportunity to get to know the hotel and its processes by learning theoretical examples. All the important processes could be brought closer to them and there was enough time to take a look at all the details that are important in the hotel industry.
Unsere neue Verstärkung
We got a new look
Over the past 40 years, we've seen a lot of changes. There have been renovations, such as the opening of the Hafen Diner and the renovation of the Tower Bar in 2015, and this year the introduction of our digital check-in process. Now it was time for a new look, which reflected the modernization of our hotel. A new corporate design was created. Still hanseatic, but with new colors, our logo as well as the logo of the Tower Bar, the restaurant Port and Willi's Bierstube shines in a new design. Little by little, the new colors were used in various areas and are now finally visible to you. From new letter paper over a new house brochure to our website.
Gästefragebogen
Digital check-In
To make your stay as pleasant and your arrival as easy as possible, we have introduced the online check-in. You may already know this digitalized process from previous trips. Simply check in before arrival to save precious time at the check-in process at the reception and then just take your key cards in hand. Now you can check in directly and easily without a long time waiting at the reception and quickly move into your room to start a relaxed vacation. Not only that we are glad about the quick check-in prozess, but also the eniroment benefits from the digitalization. After all, before the pandemic, we used around 100,000 registration sheets, which is about 500 kilograms of paper. This process of changeover took some time, as data protection had to be ensured and employees also had to be trained accordingly. Now, however, you can enjoy the online check-in.
Project: Affordable housing for apprentices
Everyone knows that looking for an apartment in a big city can be more than nerve-wracking. Standing out among 50 other applicants and convincing the real estate agent is often very difficult. That is why we have taken on the project of affordable housing for apprentices in St. Pauli. Since this year, our apprentices have been given the opportunity to live in a one-room apartment about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Especially for the new apprentices, who are not from Hamburg, this is the optimal opportunity to still pursue their apprenticeship in the hotel industry without any major problems. We are very proud that we can make the start in a new city and among new people so pleasant and easy for our apprentices.
FINALLY!
In May, the reopening preparations were in full swing. Finally we were allowed to open our doors again for tourist and business travelers in June. Work was completed in all departments, the final touches were being made in order to be able to present ourselves again to you - our guests. A feeling of relief spread throughout the hotel and among the staff. Everyone was thankful that after seven months of lockdown, things could finally continue. A detailed hygiene concept was created, which is still being applied to this day. We would like to thank not only our great team for the implementation of the reopening and the cohesion, but also you. Without you, the hotel service would not be possible, thank you very much that you also stick to our hygiene concept and show understanding for the current situation.
Port in sight!
Only two weeks after the hotel reopening, we were able to reopen our beloved restaurant Port as well. We started the summer season with a new menu. From typical Hamburg specialties like Labskaus or Pannfisch to culinary highlights like loin of Iberico pork or a Faroese salmon fillet. Our popular linden terrace from where you have a view of the harbor also offered enough space this year to enjoy a delicious ice cream in the summer sun. But now that it is getting colder, our beloved Sunday brunch started in November. Every first Sunday of the month you can enjoy and taste Hanseatic and Hamburg specialties in our restaurant Port.
The new restaurant Port
The bar at the new restaurant Port
The new restaurant Port
Bild: ©Romanus Fuhrmann
Together against Corona
In order to ensure not only the health of our guests, but also to properly protect our staff from infection with the Covid 19 virus, our colleagues were given the opportunity to be voluntarily vaccinated in July. About 100 employees of our hotel, as well as from our sister hotel of the Empire Riverside Hotel, accepted the offer. This way a high vaccination rate could be achieved in large departments of the hotel and the protection of all could be guaranteed.
The terrace at restaurant Port
Our new trainees
AHOY!
In August, we welcomed 13 new trainees and two dual students to our hotel and our sister hotel, the Empire Riverside Hotel. The organization and planning for the welcoming of the newcomers was somewhat easier than in February. Despite the still special circumstances, everyone was very excited and looked forward to the start of their apprenticeship. We are very happy that so many young talents are interested in the hotel industry. We look forward in a future full of hope with our necomer apprentices, as well as with all other apprentices.
The Sundaybrunch is back
In November we were finally able to welcome back our beloved Sunday brunch. The first time it took place in our newly renovated restaurant Port. With a view of the port of Hamburg, you can now finally enjoy Hanseatic delicacies and Hamburg originals again. Until April 17, 2022, you can enjoy the view of the Port of Hamburg here with the most delicious food and drinks.
Bild: ©RomanusFuhrmann
Bild: ©RomanusFuhrmann
Bild: ©RomanusFuhrmann
Steer with us into a new year!
This year offered us some challenges, but we have all mastered them together. We look back not only on the difficult times, but also on all the beautiful things! To the first guests who were finally allowed to visit us at the end of May, the warm summer days on our terrace of the Restaurant Port, the first Sunday brunch and of course the arrival of our apprentices in February and August. We are very proud of our entire team, who have all worked so purposefully through this time and have not lost heart even when the times were hard. Now we are looking forward to the new year in a positive mood and are excited about the tasks that await us in the coming year.And finally, a euphoric "Na, denn man tau!" to the year 2022. We look positively into the coming year and are excited about the surprises that await us there.
We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Stay healthy!
Your team from Hotel Hafen Hamburg
