Where to Stay in Hanover
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
Find Hotels Across Hanover
Compare prices from hotels across all regions
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Regions of Hanover
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
The urban core offers the highest concentration of accommodation, from international chains to boutique hotels. This area provides walkable access to shopping, dining, museums, and the historic Altstadt. Excellent public transport connections make it ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
Purpose-built accommodation cluster near the exhibition center, dominated by business hotels with conference facilities. This area transforms during trade fairs with premium pricing but offers good value during quiet periods. Direct metro access to city center.
Quieter residential district near the famous baroque gardens, offering more intimate guesthouses and small hotels. This area appeals to leisure travelers seeking a peaceful base while remaining well-connected to the center via tram.
Scenic area around the artificial lake offering hotels with waterfront views and recreational atmosphere. Popular with leisure travelers who want urban convenience with nature access. Good restaurant scene and summer activities.
Convenient for early flights and transit stays, this zone offers primarily chain hotels with shuttle services. Less atmospheric but practical for specific travel needs with good highway connections to the wider region.
Historic towns along the Leine River including Hameln (of Pied Piper fame) offer charming half-timbered guesthouses and small hotels. These bases suit travelers exploring the region's medieval heritage while avoiding city prices.
Low mountain range west of Hanover offering countryside retreats, wellness hotels, and hiking-oriented accommodation. Ideal for combining city visits with nature experiences, accessible within 30-45 minutes from Hanover.
Northwest Germany's largest lake offers resort-style accommodation in waterfront towns. Popular for water sports, cycling, and relaxation, this area provides a different pace from urban Hanover while remaining accessible for day trips.
Beautiful half-timbered town northeast of Hanover offering atmospheric accommodation in historic buildings. Excellent alternative base for exploring the region with lower prices than Hanover and exceptional charm, connected by frequent trains.
UNESCO World Heritage site southeast of Hanover with historic accommodation options and lower prices. Suitable for travelers prioritizing cultural sights while using Hanover as a day trip destination. Good rail connections.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across Hanover
Major international chains maintain strong presence in Hanover, including Maritim, Intercontinental, Sheraton, Novotel, Mercure, and Crowne Plaza, primarily clustered near the city center and fairgrounds. German chains like Dorint, Lindner, and Steigenberger offer reliable mid-to-upper range options. Budget chains including Ibis, B&B Hotels, and Motel One provide economical alternatives throughout the city and region. The trade fair focus means many properties are designed for business travelers with extensive conference facilities.
Family-run pensions (Pensionen) and guesthouses (Gasthöfe) remain common in smaller towns and residential areas, offering personal service and often including breakfast. Private vacation apartments (Ferienwohnungen) are increasingly popular, particularly for longer stays and families. Traditional countryside inns (Landgasthäuser) in surrounding villages provide authentic Lower Saxon hospitality with regional cuisine. Independent boutique hotels have emerged in the city center, often in renovated historic buildings, offering design-focused alternatives to chain properties.
The region offers distinctive accommodation types including historic mill conversions, renovated half-timbered houses (Fachwerkhäuser) particularly in Celle and Hildesheim, countryside farmstays (Bauernhöfe) where guests can experience agricultural life, and castle hotels (Schlosshotels) in nearby estates. Wellness hotels with traditional German spa facilities (Kur-hotels) are found in Bad Münder and other spa towns. Some properties offer themed stays around the region's fairy tale heritage, particularly near Hameln. Houseboat rentals are available on Steinhuder Meer for unique waterfront experiences.
Booking Tips for Hanover
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
Always check the Hanover trade fair calendar before booking, as major exhibitions cause dramatic price increases and limited availability across the entire region. Properties often require minimum stays during these periods. Consider booking in surrounding towns like Celle or Hildesheim during major fairs for significant savings, as train connections make commuting feasible.
As a business-focused city, Hanover hotels often offer better weekend rates when corporate demand drops. Many properties have special weekend packages including breakfast and sometimes museum tickets. Conversely, weekday rates in the city center can be inflated, while countryside properties maintain more consistent pricing throughout the week.
German hotels frequently offer better rates and perks when booking directly through their websites rather than third-party platforms. Family-run properties especially may provide room upgrades, free parking, or flexible cancellation when contacted directly. Many include extensive German breakfasts in the rate, which represents significant value.
Some hotels include the Hanover region GVH transport pass with overnight stays, providing free public transport throughout your visit. This can justify slightly higher rates and enables staying in suburban or regional locations while easily accessing the city. Always inquire about this benefit when booking.
For visits exceeding three nights, furnished apartments (Ferienwohnungen) often provide better value than hotels, particularly for families or groups. These are common throughout the region and typically include kitchens, allowing savings on dining costs. Weekly rates offer substantial discounts over nightly pricing.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across Hanover
For major trade fairs (especially Hannover Messe in April), book 3-6 months ahead as properties sell out completely and prices peak. Christmas market period (late November-December) requires 2-3 months advance booking for best selection. Summer weekends near the lake areas should be booked 4-6 weeks ahead.
Spring (March-May, excluding fair dates) and autumn (September-October) offer moderate demand with 2-4 weeks advance booking generally sufficient. Prices remain reasonable and selection is good. These periods provide comfortable weather for sightseeing without extreme pricing.
Winter months (January-February) see lowest demand and prices, with last-minute bookings often yielding excellent deals. Many hotels offer special winter packages. Booking 1-2 weeks ahead is typically sufficient except around New Year's. Countryside properties may have limited services during this period.
For Hanover region accommodation, flexibility around trade fair dates is the single most important factor affecting both price and availability. Outside major exhibitions, 2-4 weeks advance booking provides good selection at reasonable rates. Business hotels offer best weekend deals, while leisure properties in surrounding areas maintain more consistent year-round pricing. Always verify the exhibition calendar at messe.de before finalizing dates.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for Hanover