Steigenberger Hotel Treudelberg Hamburg

Guests arrive at the Steigenberger Hotel Treudelberg Hamburg along a cobblestone driveway reaching a pretty white facade adorned with colorful flowers and fronted with sculpted shrubbery. However the surrounding redbrick buildings with green paneling and steep-sloped tile roofs feel dated and unattractive in comparison. The reception is bright and airy with an upscale tone and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the grounds to the rear. The property opened in 1991 -- and much still retains the look and feel of the era -- though partial renovations in 2012 in 2016 have spruced up many of the public areas with a fresh contemporary vibe. The complex comprises the main building, an annex (connected by a underground passage), and a country club. While there's not much in the way of landscaped gardens, there's direct access to a vast 27-hole golf course surrounded by jogging paths centered on a scenic wooded lake. The atmosphere is high-end, relaxing, and quiet, attracting a broad mix of clientele from golfing couples and vacationing families to a fair share of business travelers, the majority hailing from Germany. 

The hotel is located in a pretty and quiet semi-rural area situated between the villages of Lemsahl and Poppenbüttel on the northern outskirts of Hamburg. While there's not much within walking distance, a 10 to 15 minutes' walk away is the pleasant Henneberg Park featuring wooded footpaths and a scenic lake. There are also several nature reserves in the surrounding area easily accessible by road. Hamburg's buzzing city center is about 40 minutes away by a combination of buses and trains, or around a 35-minute drive. Hamburg Airport is also fairly accessible by car, taking 20 to 30 minutes by road; getting there by public transport isn't recommended as the connections aren't easy to navigate.

There are 225 guest rooms, suites, and studios spread between the main country house and neighboring annex. Decor in the main building is more old fashioned, with rather dated wood furniture and patterned carpets, while those in the annex were more recently updated with hardwood floors, simple contemporary furnishings, and warm earth tones. Rooms overlook a courtyard, the parking lot, or the golf course (some from small balconies) with a few annex rooms prone to passing traffic noise. While most TVs are flat-screen, some old tube-style models remain, with very few English-speaking channels (though pay-per-view options are available). Other amenities include minibars and electronic safes, and in-room Wi-Fi is free of charge and mostly works well. Junior suites add simple kitchenettes (use incurs an extra fee). Spacious bathrooms are either traditional or modern, all with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and hotel-branded toiletries, plus robes come as standard.

As you'd expect for a high-end country resort complex, there's a decent amount of dining and leisure facilities -- with a couple shortcomings. Breakfast is served in two eateries, either buffet-style in the main Restaurant Treudelberg or a la carte in the bistro-style restaurant (though neither is included in the rate as standard). A third restaurant in the club house is also open for lunch and dinner, and there's a pleasant terrace for alfresco dining over the warmer months. A cozy bar also provides live piano music, snug seating, and a comfy fireplace. Besides the 27-hole golf course, guests have access to the on-site country club featuring a heated indoor pool with whirlpool section, plus a sauna, steam bath, and gym. A spa also offers an impressive menu of massage and beauty treatments, including private spa suites for couples. Although popular with families, there's little in the way of child-focused facilities and no outdoor swimming pool.