Hi,

I ve going crazy trying to find a reasonably priced hotel in Hamburg with close proximity to the major attractions.

any suggestions?

Don't know what price you're looking for but have you taken a look at Priceline, just doing a quick serch and not knowing your dates they showed quite a selection of hotels in all price ranges and if you're feeling adventurous maybe give their "Name Your Own Price" a try. We're going to Amsterdam in a few weeks and I put in a priceline bid and got a room in central Amsterdam for 77 USD per night, quite a savings over the prices I had looked at. Also, if you're looking for a clean no-frills type hotel look at the Ibis or Accor websites, usually they have discounted $ if you pay in advance with no changes and no refunds or a slightly higher cost if you don't want to commit to the above. Tho these hotels are usually lacking in charm they certainly are a good choice price wise. Hope this helps.
Susan

www.hrs.de

In general Hamburg Hotels are not priced too high, so you may be able to afford more than you'd think at first glance.
Location-wise I'd recommend looking at the following (I haven't stayed in all of them, but these should be respectable. I know the Hyatt, the Sofitel and the Renaissance from experience):

Top of the line, but worth a punt:
1. Park Hyatt, arguably the city's best hotel, but one of the best values in the Park Hyatt range. On one of the main (but not exclusive shopping streets, Moenckebergstr. downtown.
http://hamburg.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

2. Sofitel Alter Wall, very good, very modern hotel bordering a Fleet (canal with access to the river and thus tide) just behind City Hall, near some of the best shopping
http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-5395...ll/index.shtml

3. Side Hotel
Unspectacular facade, nice modern design in an uninspiring side street across the street from the Opera House with easy access to shopping
http://www.seaside-hotels.de/index.php?page=2525

4. Grand Elysee
Bordering a nice little green across the street from Dammtor station, 7 min by foot to the Outer Alster, 10 min. by foot to shopping in the center, across the street from university
http://www.grand-elysee.com/el/en/home.html

Still good:
1. Madison Hotel, in a quiet side street not far from the port, 10 min by foot to central city shopping, an apartment hotel with access to a very good health club in the same building (but co-ed sauna with German nudity if that is of concern)
http://madisonhotel.de/en/index.html

2. Renaissance, adjacent to a posh inner city shopping arcade, great location, attractive red brick building, nice lobby, corridors a bit run-down, good beds, ok bathrooms, sometimes amazing rates
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...hamburg-hotel/

3. Hotel Vorbach, long established 2* right on the campus of university, approx. 7 min. walk to Dammtor station
http://www.hotel-vorbach.de/index_en.htm

4. Baseler Hof, 2* with a decent restaurant right in the city center, respectable hotel, no frills and a bit 50ies style, but should be clean.
http://www.baselerhof.de/index.php?id=2&language=2

5.Nippon Hotel, authentic Japanese room design and beds, good Japanese restaurant, other interesting restaurants in the surrounding attractive inner-city residential area, short walk to the Outer Alster lake, bus connection into the center not bad, but not as convenient as trains
http://www.nipponhotel.de/pages/english/hotel.htm

6. 25hours Hotel
Not in the centre. In a revitalised former industrial complex in the otherwise slightly bland Bahrenfeld district, approx. 15 min. by train from the city centre, modern basics, maybe for younger people
http://www.25hours-hotels.com/hamburg/index.php?lang=en

7. Superbude Hostel, a new hostel concept, quirky design, cheap, gets good reviews, by the same guy who owns 25hours (and more upscale 4* hotels Gastwerk and The George) on a bland busy thoroughfare with mostly office around it, but good train connections from nearby Berliner Tor metro and local train (S-Bahn) station (1 stop from Central Station).
http://www.superbude.de/?lang=en

If you find anything else, post, and I may be able to comment on location and impression.

Also worth a try:

1. Fritz Hotel, in the hip (and very lively in the evenings) Schanzenviertel district, the hotel as well as the area attracts a slightly artistic, hip crowd (actually the area, which used to be a bit run-down, then became slightly alternative is a big melting pot these days of all sorts of different cultures with loads of bars and whole in the wall places to eat), the hotel has received some decent reviews, which I saw.
http://www.fritzhotel.com/

2. Moevenpick, new hotel in a converted former reservoir tower, same area (Schanzenviertel), good access to local train station, more conventional hotel
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/...g/overview.cfm