Beyond Berlin and Munich: The Fontenay’s Thies Sponholz on Hamburg’s Luxury Moment
Thies Sponholz (source: aghz.de)
Thies Sponholz (source: aghz.de)
Thies Sponholz has quietly helped reshape the way international travellers look at Hamburg. As General Manager of The Fontenay, the city’s most design-forward contemporary address, he has been instrumental in turning the lakeside property into a reference point for modern, aesthetically driven luxury since it opened in 2018. That long-term vision has now been recognised with one of the industry’s most respected accolades: Hotelier of the Year 2026 from ahgz, Germany’s leading hotel trade publication. In the wake of the announcement, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sponholz to discuss what it takes to build a design-worthy luxury hotel that feels both culturally rooted and internationally compelling. The wider city narrative is moving in sync. With the Elbphilharmonie preparing to mark its 10th anniversary, Hamburg is entering a new chapter in which culture, architecture and hospitality are converging into a compelling proposition for global guests. For U.S. travellers in particular, the city offers a sophisticated alternative to Europe’s more obvious breaks: a waterfront setting, a strong design identity, and a sense of calm, liveable elegance that feels distinctly Northern. In the following Q&A, Sponholz shares his perspective on Hamburg’s growing luxury landscape, the role of innovation in contemporary hospitality, and how The Fontenay continues to evolve as a modern icon while keeping the experience warm, personal and distinctly Hamburg. An important milestone was certainly the award of one star in the Michelin Guide in 2021 and another star in 2023 to our gourmet restaurant Lakeside. This positioning demonstrates our aspirations and has a positive impact on the entire hotel. The opening of our new Italian restaurant, Osteria due, in spring 2025 was another wonderful moment, as it perfectly complements the gastronomic diversity of The Fontenay. And finally, there are also awards such as the three Michelin Keys for our hotel, one of only six establishments in Germany to receive this honour. Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of receiving the Hotelier of the Year award from the German trade press. For me, leadership is based above all on trust and freedom. I am convinced that people develop best when they are given the space to fully utilise their strengths. In the crucial areas, I have absolute experts at my side whose skills and decisions I trust 100 per cent. This may seem unusual to some – so much freedom in everyday working life. But I see this as the key to true excellence. At the same time, I spend a lot of time moving around the building, know the names of all my employees and greatly value personal interaction. Whether at the kitchen pass, in the back office or simply in the corridors – direct contact and open communication are important to me. This not only builds trust, but also a genuine sense of community. The Fontenay impresses not only with its iconic architecture, unique location and wonderfully harmonious design. Without our employees and hosts in all areas, it would be a soulless shell. That is why, from the very beginning, the focus here has been on warm, natural and empathetic hospitality. This year, we will place even greater emphasis on continuous training and talent development. I also believe that treating each other with respect is essential for a good atmosphere. This positioning really shows two sides of the same coin: on the one hand, positioning ourselves as an independent private hotel gives us a great deal of freedom to make decisions and also the opportunity to create something truly unique and irreplaceable, every single day. On the other hand, it naturally takes a lot of manpower and sales efforts to compete in the large market with chain hotels and their benefits. However, I am convinced that travelers are increasingly looking for and appreciating something special. Our strong partners, such as Leading Hotels of The World, Virtuoso, and Forbes, help us with visibility in this regard. "Hotel in the park" - this was the vision architect Jan Störmer had in mind when he first started working on the first designs for The Fontenay. He drew an amorphous figure curving outwards from three interconnecting circles. The fluid lines of the hotel mimic the ripples of the lake and the curves of nature, blending seamlessly into the Alster landscape. Thanks to this organic shape, the hotel has no rear side, meaning all rooms face outwards and look out upon greenery and are flooded with light. The three circles merge into a waist in the middle, where a glazed inner courtyard planted with trees and the 27-metre-high enclosed atrium can be found. Inside The Fontenay, the circle pattern continues through. As the facade is like a concave, aside from the partitions dividing each guest room, there are no straight walls within The Fontenay and no wall is parallel to another. This creates a special atmosphere where everything flows and fits together. As I was already heavily involved in the construction process at The Fontenay, I was able to work with the owners to incorporate valuable guest experiences into the hotel's design, particularly in the rooms. For example, in the guest rooms at The Fontenay, a central panel can be used to set different lighting moods, control the blackout curtains, and adjust the ventilation and room temperature. There is a night light that enables orientation in a dark room when movement is detected. Many small details, which are also very appealing in terms of design, thus offer real added value for guests. From an American perspective, Hamburg can and must still be considered something of an ‘insider tip’, which can also be an opportunity. Hamburg offers all the amenities of Germany's second-largest city with a high quality of life. Over a quarter of the city's area is covered by parks and green spaces. Hamburg has more bridges than Amsterdam, Venice and London combined. Both the cultural scene and the hotel and restaurant industry are diverse and varied, and nine years ago Hamburg gained an exciting new landmark in the form of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. In my opinion, there should be lots of little innovations in a hotel every day to keep the product exciting for regular guests: special seasonal offers in the restaurants, adjustments to the room product, little surprises that suit the hotel. An important step was certainly the certification as a Green Sign Hotel, a sustainability seal. Such certification is essential today to both stakeholders and our guests, while it also marks our commitment to the environment around us.Looking back since The Fontenay opened in 2018, what achievement are you most proud of and why did it matter for the hotel’s positioning?
Talking about this year's aghz Hotelier of the Year 2026 award... What leadership principle or decision making habit do you think most contributed to that outcome?
Human capital remains one of hospitality’s toughest challenges. What is your top people priority this year at The Fontenay, and what is one change you have made that has improved retention or performance?
The Fontenay is an independent, non branded luxury property. In today’s market, what are the biggest advantages of independence and where do you feel the trade offs most sharply?
The Fontenay is often described as design forward. How do you translate design into everyday guest value rather than something that is only visual?
Hamburg is sometimes underappreciated as a luxury destination. What has changed in the city’s hospitality landscape in recent years, and what would you tell an international traveller who is considering Hamburg over more obvious European city breaks?
What does innovation mean for you in a luxury hotel context, and what is one initiative you have implemented that delivered measurable impact?
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