Hotel Louis C. Jacob

3 Mario Cassier - 4 months ago

We were introduced to the hotel about 7 years ago, on the occasion of a business friend retiring. The event took place on the terrace and in the restaurant. We did not stay overnight.
A few days ago, we booked a 1 night stay and dinner package. Overall package price very close to $1,000.
German hospitality and service, in general, has gone south way before Covid. I have traveled the world. 5 star hotel service in Germany vs. the US or SE Asia is completely out of whack. Covid effects seem to have accentuated this. Sitting on the terrace for a good 15 minutes, 3 waiters walking by, no offers of service. I had to walk into the bar, asking whether the patio was self-service before someone showed.
The waiter in the restaurant lacked experience, to say the least. He dropped numerous pieces of silverware around other tables, had to be reminded about orders, then presented us with a bill for the whole meal which was prepaid through the room rate.
Food presentation was 100%, flavor/taste of food was uneventful/boring.
Called front desk twice, nobody answered the phone. Had to call in using external phone line to get someone's attention.
From an International perspective: None of the hotel signs are in english; no international newspapers available; no english TV channels available. No AC. Good luck attracting US guests in the middle of summer.
One of the best locations in Hamburg, in the middle of the "old money" estates. Book a room with a river view, the surcharge is well worth it.

Understand there is new management. Don't know whether new ownership too. Understand what 5 star really means. You have the ingredients, just use them properly and the hotel will shine!

5 joel karamath - 4 years ago

Never stayed at the hotel but saved up and ate at the restaurant a couple of times which was worth every scent. Great view over the Elbe in an impeccable setting. Excellent staff with a sophisticated menu. Stylish bar serving superb cocktails.

5 Chris Lake - 5 years ago

Had drinks at the bar and then ate at the tavern that is part of the hotel. Surprisingly large hotel with interesting art. I did see some rooms. Very big rooms with lots of space and a walk in wardrobe. Some rooms maybe too big. The food at the tavern was excellent and the service fantastic. Very friendly staff and very helpful. Prices not to high in comparison to the food and service

5 Phillip Quady - 3 years ago

I recently had the privilege to tour the kitchen of this place, the quality of the food is, of course, astounding. However, I feel happy to report that this adamant pursuit of perfection and flawless execution of goals and plans is also found in the kitchen, everything is held to a very high caliber of hygiene and order. the staff communicates clearly and professionally with the guests and colleagues alike , always exuding happiness and content with their duties.
this restaurant is truly an exceptional business and has truly deserved the respect and calling it has as one of the finest restaurants in the region of north Germany

5 Tom M - 6 years ago

We went back and hosted a special party there - though we go to the Terrace often - fantastic place, fantastic dinner. Food was 3-Star. All of our guests loved the food, and the magic of the Hotel and Restaurant in general. Max Lieberman painted the Terrace of the Louis C. Jacob Hotel a hundred years ago because it is a charming and magical place: the Staff seems to understand this love and greet all client requests (no matter how ridiculous frankly) with total respect and a "customer is always right" attitude. I hope the training of the employees continues to emphasize this, because I never want the magic of the Louis C. Jacob Hotel and Restaurant to diminish, it is just the best or one of the best spots in Europe.

It is 10 minutes from anywhere in town via taxi and if you take a walk to nearest train station - a nice maybe 7 min walk - you are 10 or 15 min from anywhere in the City like the Opera. I don't get the guy who said it is "way out of town." It is just not City Center; thank god. It is an awesome location. And it has bikes you can borrow to run up and down along the path on the Elbe.

Also Philippe's review is of the Terrace not the actual Restaurant, and though it is very casual on the Terrace I am still surprised to hear of his experience - it is a great place and I've been many times and never had a bad experience, and the food was exquisite.

Adding to my review the Big Bottle Party in both 2013 and now in 2015 was a blast!

2 chris - 3 years ago

Writing a review of the Louis Jacob hotel is a complicated. On a superficial level, it's an attractive boutique hotel on the Elbe river with an attentive staff. But after staying there 3 days I came away with a feeling of disappointment and anyone considering a visit may want to read on.
The first surprise is the layout. The hotel is divided by a busy street with several curves in it. This means, to get to your room, you have to make a dangerous crossing or take a long series of elevators/tunnels to get there. This passage was a novelty the first time, but a pain by the 10th-- especially with luggage.
Next although the room was nice, it was not air conditioned. When we slept with the windows opened, we woke up with many bug bites (mosquitoes?) In fairness, they did provide fans when told of the situation. Also, be aware the wifi network is barely adequate: very slow and disconnects frequently (on a 15 minute telephone call I was disconnected 4 times). This is something you don't expect for $500/night and that we didn't experience elsewhere.
Finally, one evening we had dinner in the smaller of the 2 restaurants at Louis Jacob. We consulted with the server about the menu and then ordered a few choices from their prix fixe offers. When the bill came, it was quite a bit higher than what had been explained to us and we asked the server what accounted for the difference. She told us we misunderstood the prix fixe pricing and basically that would be the end of the discussion. Well, Louis Jacobs has a reputation of being expensive and that is certainly their right, but this was very different from the price quoted prior to our order and why we made our dinner selections in the first place. So with that we paid the full amount plus a tip and went to speak to a manager at reception. The person on duty was concerned and was, in fact, already speaking to the server. I was told the manager was not available, but that I would be contacted the next day.
I'm still waiting...

5 Sue Mixsell - 3 years ago

Hands down the most comfortable hotel experience I've ever had in three continents! Their beds are just great and every attention to detail is incredible. Highly, highly recommend!!