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"As we've learnt in the last three years, the Heineken Cup isn't easy," said Hartley.
"Our run to the final was a great run, but as Jim (Saints boss Jim Mallinder) said to us, you've got to play for 80 minutes and we didn't do that.
"There were a lot of things around that as to why we were tired but we've got to be frank - we threw away the Heineken Cup and that does hurt.
"We haven't really lost anyone this season, though. We've added to the squad and that's given us a bit more depth, which was probably what we needed last year. We were fighting on all fronts and we pretty much played the same team every week. This year, we've bolstered the squad and we're stronger throughout.
"It's not about fatigue on the day: it's about fatigue leading up to the big matches. It's mentally tiring getting yourself up for games every week at that stage of the season. If you've got competition for places, with people who are hungry to play, that's got to be good for the squad.
"Two years ago we lost to Munster in Limerick in the quarter-final and we said we'd learn from that. We obviously did as we went two steps further. You can't get any bigger big-match experience than the Heineken Cup Final so will learn from that, too.
"You look at teams like Munster: how many finals and semi-finals did they lose before the won the Heineken Cup? As a squad, we're still quite young and I think we've got our best years ahead of us."
Talking of Munster, it's the double European Champions who provide Northampton's first test in this year's tournament.
Thomond Park is the venue for the Saints' opening Pool 1 fixture a week on Saturday and Hartley is under no illusions as to the size of the challenge he and his team-mates will face at one of the continent's most revered stadiums.
But rather than be intimidated by the hostile atmosphere at a ground at which Northampton played at twice the season before last, Hartley intends to embrace the kind of challenge that only the Heineken Cup can bring.
He does admit, however, that Munster remain one of the benchmarks of the club game, a side that Saints intend to emulate when it comes to performing consistently on the European stage.
"Munster have been to finals and lost finals so they've been through disappointment as a group," added Hartley, whose team also face the Scarlets and Castres Olympique in the group stages.
"That's the biggest thing: they are a group. They've had the same group for a long time and we're building towards something like that. They're a team I look at and would like to learn from.
"We're going away to Adam's Park to play Wasps this weekend, which is a tough place to play. If we can pick up a W there, that will put a bit of confidence into the team going out to Limerick. But not many teams go there and win so there's plenty of motivation."
And as for the standard of rugby on display in Europe's premier club competition, Hartley has no doubt that it just keeps on getting better and better year after year.
"The Heineken Cup feels like it goes up a notch every time. In terms of intensity, the final last year and the quarters and the semis, those games are as close to an international as you get.
"The coolest thing about it as that you're playing with your clubmates. Some of those lads will never get to play international rugby so to be on that stage with your mates is pretty special."
