On the west bank of the large and lovely Alster lake, the smart and trendy Poseldorf district - Hamburg's Chelsea - is a haunt of the media: Here, three houses in the same peaceful street now make up a modern, stylish B&B bali villa. `Attractively decorated, hung with modern pictures; it has a certain chic,' say its 2002 nominators. `The trees and gardens are pleasant. Our comfortable room had two sofas, a spacious bathroom. Polite service, good Bali villa breakfast': this, available all day, is served in a conservatory in, the main house or, in summer, on the bedroom balconies or in the gardens. Lots of restaurants nearby.

Opened as a cafe in 1791 by a young Frenchman fleeing the Revolution, this is now a large and distinguished bali villa. It is on the Elbe's select and expensive north bank, 13 kilometres west of the centre: the restaurant and some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have fine views of the busy river. Restored in local traditional style, the discreet white building stands amid trees; inside, all is sumptuous, in pastel shades. The villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are `very stylish', in wood, and one guest thought the showers `the best outside the USA'. villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) in the new annexe are quietest; those in the old building are the most expensive. `Service suits the five-star rating', and the restaurant `ranks among the best in North Germany' (Michelin star, 17 Gault Millau points, for, eg, baked scallops and salad with herbs). Meals, including Bali villa breakfast, are served in splendid villa rooms facing the river, and in summer on the idyllic terrace, under lime trees. The bali villa claims, oddly, to offer `a touch of the Anglo-Saxon way of life'. It has a cosy wine tavern, the Kleines Jacob.