KAI HOLLMANN
A lifelong resident of the characteristically reserved northern German city of Hamburg, Kai Hollmann describes himself as a "classically trained" hotelier. Gaining his early experience at Hotel Hafen Hamburg from the “King” of Hamburg’s colourful harbourside St. Pauli district, Willi Bartels, Hollmann’s four independent hotels have contributed to his standing as Hamburg’s Businessman of the Year in 2008. His newest property, The George, opened in November 2008.
MEET KAI
For Hamburg hotelier Kai Hollmann, lifestyle is about a “story.” And in a hotel, it’s the guests and the staff who write it. This harbour city’s native son has written several good tales in hotels scattered across the city – among them Hamburg’s first designed hotel, Gastwerk, and the funky, lower-budget 25hours. And now there’s The George in Hamburg’s once-seedy St. Georg district, which culls its influences from Cool Brittania. But no matter how the stories differ in Hollmann’s properties, it’s clear that all of them are places into which he’s poured not only his expertise, but also his heart.
MADE BY ORIGINALS
Behind every hotel in Design Hotels’™ curated collection is an original, holistic concept. And behind each successful concept is a person or team who – in a flash of inspiration or a moment of accidental discovery – thought it up and made it into a reality.
Design Hotels'™ properties are Made by Originals. Whether designers or developers, CEOs or chefs, owners or operators, our originals are always outstanding personalities and extraordinary thinkers. They are the motors behind pioneering design and revolutionary hospitality. They are the instigators of new movements in how we travel and live today.