All in the Family
Kai Hollmann & Lea Hollmann

Words Allison Reiber DiLiegroImages Maximilian Mair

Kai Hollmann, the creator of The George and Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg and a self-professed “hotel junkie,” says his parents sparked his love of hotels. A few decades later, he’s done the same for his daughter, Lea.

The hotel industry is filled with people who live and breathe hotels, and Kai is one of them. “For me, hotels are a passion, a profession, and also a hobby,” he says. At just 24, he became the youngest general manager in Germany. Shortly thereafter, he had the idea to transform a soaring redbrick coal hall into the first loft-style hotel in the country. “The Gastwerk was my first venture on my own,” he tells us, “and it was clear from the outset that it should be an extraordinary hotel, not mainstream.” In other big happenings that year, Lea was born.

Kai Hollmann transformed a former coal hall into the Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg, the first loft-style hotel in Germany

“According to stories, I spent hours at reception and in reservations in the stroller. Practice makes perfect!” Lea laughs. “As I got older, I fondly remember spending weekends at the Gastwerk, when Dad would look after things and I would watch the people. I loved it.”

After graduating from Hotelschool The Hague, Lea has returned to work with Kai. “I want to perceive and absorb everything that makes up the cosmos of these hotels. Every week is different from the next and it’s exciting—I’m constantly learning.”

We sat down with Kai and Lea to talk about what it’s like to work together, what makes Hamburg special, and why they can’t stay away from the city for long.

Kai, how are you and Lea similar? How are you different?

KH: We are similar in that when we do something, we both do it intensively and quickly. What certainly differs is that I make a lot of decisions based on my gut and spontaneously, whereas Lea puts more thought into it and goes into more depth. Above all, she knows what she wants!

Lea, what would you say?

LH: Where one brings experience, the other brings fresh ideas and an eye for the future. The atmosphere that defines our hotels also reflects our values of design, colors, music, and the mood we want to create. My father taught me to never lose sight of the special detail.

Kai, can you describe yourself in three words?

KH: Curious, impulsive, and diplomatic.

After graduating from Hotelschool The Hague, Lea returned to Hamburg to join the family business

“My father taught me to never lose sight of the special detail.”

Lea Hollmann

Lea, what about you?

LH: Adaptable, positive, enthusiastic.

What is it like to work together?

LH: Surprisingly relaxed. It’s easy to work together because we are similar in many ways in our approach to work. We have a very open and direct communication that makes it easy for us to talk about everything—it's just fun and enjoyable.

KH: You can see her commitment and enthusiasm for the hotel industry. I think my strength is to motivate people and inspire them.

Kai brings a depth of experience to the partnership, while Lea brings a fresh eye to the future

How do you like to spend your time together when you’re not working?

KH: We like to philosophize about what we do and whether it all still makes sense and is up to date. We travel a lot together and we like to go out to eat. We use this time to look at new things and get inspired.

LH: Yes, we like to be inspired by new places. We love discovering new foods and drinks, and we never miss out on delicious wine. Our characters are very close, we are objective, interested, sometimes stubborn, and on good days, really well organized.

Lea, after graduating from Hotelschool The Hague, you could have gone anywhere but you decided to return to Hamburg. Why did you go back to the family business?

LH: Even as a child, I was interested in the industry. After a few jobs and some training, my love for the hotel industry solidified and my childhood wish turned into a love for the family business.

I returned to Hamburg because I think Hamburg is a great city to live in. After seven years of training abroad, I realized how much I missed the city and really enjoy the many facets it has to offer.

A family snapshot of Lea and Kai walking through the Gastwerk

What would you say makes Hamburg special?

KH: For me, Hamburg is special because of its expansiveness. At many points in the city, the eye can see very far. I can always feel how much I miss Hamburg when I’ve been away for two or three days—the view over the Alster and the Elbe, the brightness of the city.

LH: It is a cosmopolitan city with village charm. Every single part of the city has its very individual core, which makes it exciting but still cozy.

How would you spend the day with friends visiting you in Hamburg?

LH: I show my friends Hamburg the way I like to spend my time in Hamburg myself—a walk along the Alster with a coffee in my hand to enjoy the fantastic view of Hamburg’s skyline. A nice shopping trip in the city center. And in good weather, the very best spot is on the Elbe.