Open Hotel Days

Hamburg, 11th May 2026

That hotels have loyal guests is not unusual. Among employees, however, loyalty is not a given. The Hotel Hafen Hamburg and the Empire Riverside Hotel demonstrate how staff retention can be achieved in a demanding working environment – for example, through employee benefits such as a mental health program.

They have been working in the same profession for 25 years, and all of that in the same hotel: Askin Kartal and Pile Mandic are celebrating their 25th anniversary with Hotel Hafen Hamburg this year. Pile Mandic – who started out as a page – even completed his apprenticeship there. As night auditors, they ensure that everything runs smoothly at the hotel while Hamburg sleeps; both are still enthusiastic about their employer. Askin Kartal puts it clearly: “For me, Hotel Hafen Hamburg is more than just a workplace; it is a piece of home. When you still enjoy going to work every day after 25 years, you know you are in the right place!”

Twenty-five years at the same hotel is an exception in the industry – staff turnover in the hospitality sector is around 60 to 70 percent. Based on a rate of 70 percent, employees are replaced after about a year and a half. This causes constant friction in the system, is costly – and regular guests stop seeing familiar faces after at most two years.

Numerous benefits and new mental health coaching

So what can be done – or rather: what has already been done in Hamburg? In fact, Hotel Hafen Hamburg and the Empire Riverside Hotel motivate employees to stay with a wide range of benefits. The newest of these has just been introduced and focuses on the important topic of mental health. There are good reasons for this: the workload and emotional pressure in hotels are high – always remaining friendly, resolving complaints and conflicts, being constantly available; when private issues are added on top, the level of stress increases.

Both hotels now work with the Fürstenberg Institute – long-standing experts in the field of workplace mental health. Through the institute’s mental health coaching, employees can receive free and confidential advice from experienced coaches without involving their employer. The service covers not only work-related topics but also personal issues: mental health and wellbeing, family and relationships, addiction, as well as debt counseling. Yasmin Cohen, Head of Human Resources, says: “With this offer, we want to strengthen a supportive work culture. The mental health and wellbeing of each individual make a major difference for everyone involved: for the individuals themselves, for teams, and for the entire company. It is an important contribution to a sustainably positive and resilient corporate culture.”

The corporate culture makes the difference

The new offering complements the attractive standards already in place at both hotels on the waterfront: free meals in the in-house staff restaurants from breakfast through lunch to dinner, birthday and Christmas gifts, and a free massage every two months. In addition, there are financial incentives: €50 per month toward company pension schemes, as well as a 50% Sunday premium and 100% holiday pay.

Enrico Ungermann, Director of Hotel Hafen Hamburg and the Empire Riverside Hotel, knows the value of loyal employees: “Finding staff has been particularly difficult in our industry since the pandemic – but retaining staff is an equally great challenge. For us in Hamburg, an appreciative corporate culture, well-planned internal processes, and clear personnel policies are essential foundations of daily work. We like to complement these with larger and smaller motivators – benefits that are close to everyday life and truly in the interest of employees. Not only guests should enjoy staying with us, but also the people who keep our business running successfully every day.”

Pile Mandic and Askin Kartal are two of these employees. Both value the positive working atmosphere, the sense of togetherness, and the team spirit that accompanies them every day. Pile Mandic says: “No matter what position someone holds, people treat each other well and with respect here. And I will remain loyal to the hotel for as long as I am needed here.”

Press contact:
Katja Derow | redroses communications GmbH | k.derow@redroses-pr.com | 0162 – 43 11 376