Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt am Main, may seem like a city of glittering steel and concrete buildings but despite this commercial image, the city has a soul. Frankfurt’s soul lies in Alstadt, the Old Town, with its half-timbered buildings and village-like neighborhoods. However, accommodation in this area is limited. You’ll find most of the hotels in Frankfurt, Germany in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Despite the large number of business travelers that descend on the city, its nightlife and entertainment are quite legendary. This is mainly due to the large student population that also calls the city home. Frankfurt holds the distinction of being the only German city to make it to the top 20 safest cities in the world.
Another feather in the city’s cap is that it boasts of having one of the largest stock exchanges in the world and is also home to the headquarters of the European Central Bank. However, the financial district is not all that defines the city. World-class museums, a rich history, and a quaint medieval town add to the charm of visiting Frankfurt.
Where To Stay in Frankfurt
Although Frankfurt is notoriously expensive, there is a wide range of hotels in Frankfurt, Germany to suit all kinds of budgets. Where you stay in the city will not only depend on your budget but also on the purpose of your visit.
First-time visitors will probably prefer to stay in Zentrum-Altstadt in the heart of the city. You’ll find many of the city’s attractions in this area plus a myriad of dining options. However, hotels in this area are very limited.
Innenstadt is for business and luxury travelers with its location in the central business district. Some of the best hotels in Frankfurt lie in this area. Many of Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Frankfurt are also located in this area too. Everything is within walking distance here.
Bahnhofsviertel on the west side of the city has shed its unsavory image to emerge as one of the more trendy areas of the city. The gentrification of Frankfurt’s red-light area has resulted in many trendy restaurants and bars cropping up here. It’s a good place if you’re looking for affordable hotels in Frankfurt, Germany.
The most populated district in Frankfurt is Sachsenhausen on the south side of the river. You’ll find a variety of hotels in the area to cater to all budgets. It’s also where you’ll find the museum district and a good flea market every other Saturday.
Westend is the upmarket district where many of the city’s bankers and elite live. You’ll find the famed Palmengarten in this area, one of the largest botanical gardens in Germany. Another good area to base yourself is in Nordend with its affordable yet top-notch restaurants and beautiful parks.
NH Collection Frankfurt City
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Like many of the hotels in the NH brand, the NH Collection Frankfurt City enjoys a great location. Its central location means that most of the city’s attractions are within a short walking distance from here. A four-minute walk will bring you to the main shopping street, The Zeil while the Alstadt and financial district are less than a mile from here. For exploring other areas of the city you can head to the U-Bahn Station Konstablerwache which is only a five-minute walk.
A contemporary brick and glass building serves as a precursor to what lies within. The interiors are as stylish and upbeat as the outside with a minimal aesthetic. Given its glass facade, you can expect bright and spacious rooms. Guests can choose from various categories of rooms which differ in size. Comfortable beds, minimalist decor, and a range of amenities add to the comfort of staying here.
A small fitness center plus a steam bath and sauna are popular with guests as are the restaurant and bar. The Mainhattan restaurant is a slick space with its gold-colored sofas and copper mirror lamps. If offers an international menu as well as a good selection of wines. At the Metropolitan bar, you can enjoy a good range of snacks along with cocktails and wines.
Hotel Gerbermühle
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Those looking for a quiet location will enjoy the Hotel Gerbermühle which is close to the Sachsenhausen neighborhood on the banks of the river Main. This location won’t suit first-time travelers to the city as it’s quite far from the main sights but if you’re looking for a tranquil space, it couldn’t get better than this. The Primus boat line which will take you to the Eisernen is about five minutes away.
The hotel’s name is a direct translation from its historic roles as a tannery and mill. It was rebuilt in the 1970s after extensive damage during the Second World War. Despite the refurbishment, it still retains an old-world charm partly due to its semi-rural location and original stonework in many parts. Given its size the number of rooms and suites is limited. The suites are named after personalities who had some influence on Goethe. These spacious suites come with lounge areas, dining tables, and separate bathrooms.
The Beer Garden and restaurant are popular with locals, especially during the warmer months. You can enjoy a menu of regional classics at the spacious restaurant which has indoor and outdoor seating. However, the biggest draw of the hotel is the Tower Bar in the heritage mill complex. Natural stone walls, dark leather armchairs, and the Gekko bar add to its lore.
The Pure
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Just near Frankfurt’s main train station in Bahnhofsviertel, you’ll find The Pure, one of the more affordable hotels in Frankfurt, Germany. Many bars and restaurants are in the area. While the river is just five minutes away, it’s a long walk to the other attractions.
In keeping with the hotel’s name, the interiors are all in white. However, rather than giving the hotel a trendy vibe, this color choice creates a more sterile effect. The one good thing about this color is that it makes the rooms brighter, especially with the high ceilings. Large windows in guest rooms allow enough light to filter in.
You’ll find a small sauna and fitness room in the basement and a bar in the reception area. There’s a patio with fountains, bamboos, and seating areas which is a good place to while away your time. Other than this there are no other amenities at the hotel.
25hours The Trip
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Notable for its funky interiors, quirky decor, and youthful vibe, the 25Hours Hotel The Trip, is a great option if you’re in Bahnhofsviertel. The area is teeming with bars, clubs, and restaurants. It’s also just near the main station which puts you close to all the action. Exploring the cultural sights of the city is also easy as many are within an easy walking distance from here.
The 25hours brand is renowned for its fun and vibrant interiors and this one in Frankfurt lives up to the image. Enclosed within a modern glass and brick building, the hotel has 76 stylish rooms categorized according to sizes that start from S and go up to XL. Stylized wallpaper and other extras give the room a stylish edge.
Guests can also look forward to a good Middle-Eastern meal amidst great settings at the BAR SHUKA restaurant. For something lighter, you can head to Caffe Bomba. SHUKA BAR is where you can indulge in cocktails. Another space for relaxing is the roof terrace on the 6th floor with its Finnish igloo sauna and recliners. It’s also equipped with calisthenics parkour for working out.
Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof
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The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is an impressive building that dates back to 1876. This striking hotel is one of the best hotels in Frankfurt, Germany for business travelers as it sits in the heart of the financial district. Shopaholics will love the location of this upmarket accommodation which is hardly five-minutes away from Goethestrasse, the city’s major shopping street. You’ll find many other iconic attractions such as the Main Tower, Römer square, and the Museum for Modern Art at an easy walking distance from here. For those wanting a taste of Frankfurt’s nightlife, there are plenty of bars and restaurants closeby.
Although the interiors of the hotel are a bit of a let down when compared to the stunning exterior, the hotel constantly strives to stay ahead with style and comfort. The guest rooms received an upgrade into more sophisticated modern units after a renovation in 2016, and are now spacious and elegantly designed.
For guests who don’t want to venture far for food, you’ll find several good dining options at the hotel. Francais, the Michelin-starred restaurant is the hotel’s standout feature with its creations inspired by French haute cuisine. There’s also OSCAR’S with its special brasserie flair and Restaurant Hofgarten where you can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. Alternately, you can enjoy your cigar and drinks at the Cigarrum or head to the Autorenbar for excellent cocktails
Adina Apartment Hotel Frankfurt Neue Oper
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Just a street back from the Main River you’ll find the elegant Adina Apartment Hotel Frankfurt Neue Oper. With its great location within walking distance of many of Frankfurt’s iconic sights, it climbs high in the rankings of best hotels in Frankfurt, Germany. Frankfurt Cathedral, St Paul’s Church, and the Goethe House are within an easy walking distance from here as are many entertainment and dining options.
Design savvy furnishings and spacious accommodations are the hotel’s strong selling points. Guests can choose from one and two-bedroom apartments or studio rooms that occupy the 16 floors of the building. The rooms and apartments feature designer furnishings and tasteful decor. You’ll find a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette in the accommodation plus a range of other modern comforts.
Besides the spacious accommodation, another reason why this hotel is one of the best for families is the on-site amenities. The heated indoor pool and sauna, fitness center, and restaurant are big draws. Alto Restaurant on the ground floor specializes in casual international dishes and also has a reasonable cocktail and wine list.
Capri by Fraser
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The first German outpost of the Singapore-based Capri by Fraser brand, this apartment-style hotel is one of the best hotels in Frankfurt, for families. It’s located just west of the city center in proximity to the Messe Frankfurt trade fair complex and the new Skyline Plaza making it a good option for business travelers also. The other city attractions are also easily accessible from here.
The trendy vibe of the hotel coupled with the emphasis on communal spaces draws younger business travelers. You can look forward to spacious studios and one-bedroom apartments all featuring a grayscale palette. All rooms come equipped with a wide range of amenities in keeping with the hotel’s home away from home philosophy.
Outside the room, there’s a comprehensive list of facilities that range from meeting spaces to a well equipped 24/7 gym. Caprilicious, the onsite restaurant is open for all meals and serves international cuisine as well as authentic Asian dishes. There’s also a cocktail bar and a grab and go snack bar at the lobby level.
Grandhotel Hessischer Hof
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Frankfurt’s only privately owned hotel is the opulent five-star, Grandhotel Hessischer Hof. It’s a good option for business travelers given its location just near Messe Frankfurt and Kap Europa Congress Center. Just opposite you’ll also find the Festhalle Frankfurt.
A member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World,’ the hotel exudes style and luxury. Owned by the Landgrave and Prince of Hesse family foundations, you’ll find many excellent paintings, antique furniture, and furnishings from various Hessian castles. An extensive refurbishment carried out between 2016-2018 has resulted in a much-needed upgrade for the guest rooms although the old-fashioned aesthetic has been maintained.
On the seventh floor, you’ll find a modern health and fitness area which includes two treatment rooms, a sauna, and a steam bath. In the warmer weather, you can unwind at the outdoor terrace. One of the best restaurants in the city, the hotel’s Sèvres Restaurant is where you can enjoy a luxurious breakfast spread. Breakfast aside, the restaurant is also renowned for its delicious fare created by Executive Chef, Roland Füssel. There’s also a wide selection of over 300 wines from the Prinz von Hessen vineyards. In the elegant winter garden of the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof, you can enjoy a Royal Afternoon Tea served in stylish crockery. Jimmy’s Bar is another good place to unwind at the end of the day with its dimmed mood lighting and inviting leather armchairs.
Jumeirah Frankfurt
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Another centrally located which stands out as one of the best hotels in Frankfurt, Germany is the Jumeirah Frankfurt. The all-glass 25-floor building is impressive, to say the least, with cutting edge luxury, combined with comfort. It’s the perfect location for shopaholics as it shares space with MyZeil shopping mall. However, if you’d rather shop at a boutique than the mall you’ll find plenty of smaller shopping venues around the hotel. The New Old Town, Goethe House, and the Old Opera House are within an easy walking distance from the hotel. Not too far away you’ll also find the Hauptwache underground station which will take you to other areas of the city.
Everything about the hotel is designed to impress from the touch-screen control system in the lifts to the motion sensors in the guest rooms. Guess rooms impress with their wide spaces and open plan layout. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure plenty of light and also provide gorgeous views of the city. Soothing neutral colors enhanced by boldly colorful paintings by Hartwig Ebersbach, and timber floors add a touch of class to the room.
You’ll find the Talise Spa on the fourth floor with two separate saunas and dedicated areas for relaxation. Though the hotel does not have its own pool, guests can use the pool at the Fitness First center next door for free. It’s easily accessible via the sixth floor of the hotel.
When it comes to dining at the hotel, you’re spoiled for choice with the options available. From authentic Lebanese cuisine at El Rayyan to modern French cuisine at Max On One and the excellent options at Ember Bar & Lounge, you won’t have to venture far for a good meal. The hotel even has a rooftop aviary.
Roomers
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One of the best hotels in Frankfurt, Germany in terms of location is the elegant Roomers. It’s a few minutes away from the central station and a few steps from the scenic Main River. Also in close proximity to the hotel is the New Frankfurt Opera House, the Schauspielhaus, and the English Theater. Frankfurt’s financial district is also in the immediate neighborhood so if you’re in town on business this is an excellent base.
From the outside, the hotel resembles a swanky office building but the interiors look like they’ve been lifted from an interior design magazine. The dark, seductive tones of the hotel are carried into the guest rooms and suites. Dark parquet flooring, heavy brown curtains, and dark walls blend in well with the light-colored sofas and white tubs in suites. Bathrooms also feature black stone and stainless steel.
You’ll find a fitness area on the rooftop on the sixth floor as well as a futuristic spa that offers Medyjet massage beds, a biorhythm sauna, and a steam bath plus heated-glass chip beds. Apart from this, the Burbank restaurant is another great space in the hotel where you can feast on excellent creations. A standout of the hotel is the award-winning Roomers Bar with its burlesque charm.
Rocco Forte Villa Kennedy
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Luxury hotels in Frankfurt, Germany don’t come better than the Rocco Forte Villa Kennedy. This elegant five-star hotel occupies a gorgeous villa that traces its roots to 1901. Renamed after President John F Kennedy’s visit in 1963, this refined five-star retreat offers the best of everything you would expect from a luxury hotel. It’s one of the few hotels located in the Sachsenhausen district. The hotel is just a five-minute walk away from the museum while the Römer is a little further away. If you’re looking to explore other areas of the city the S-Bahn station is 10 minutes from here.
Doffing its hat to the villa’s past, the interiors of this hotel are a beautiful fusion of classic and contemporary design, with rooms featuring restrained color schemes and high-end textiles. No matter what room you choose, you can be sure that it’s going to be spacious and comfortable. The three new wings of the villa feature suites named after icons, Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlene Dietrich.
One of the outstanding features of Villa Kennedy is the spa that is spread across four floors. Besides the wide range of treatments, you’ll find a 15-meter indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a steam bath here. There’s also a well-equipped fitness center with space for yoga and pilates classes. Another standout is the stylish Gusto restaurant where you can enjoy a range of Italian classics. The inside and outside seating space makes this a good venue for events. At the end of the day, you can also head to the slick JFK Bar for excellent cocktails and premium wines.
Recommended Restaurants/Bars in Frankfurt:
- Restaurant Opera – If you’re visiting the Opera House which is one of the top things to do in Frankfurt, why not step into this gold-lit establishment within its walls to savor some of the delightful German fares that is served here. In the summer you can sit out on the terrace to enjoy excellent views of the city.
- Muku – If you’ve had your fill of German cuisine why not try one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city. Everything here is made in-house with a good range of options.
- Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen – You can join this pub crawl every Friday and Saturday evening through four different bars and pubs in Frankfurt’s trendiest party district.
Recommended Activities in Frankfurt:
- Palmengarten – Located in the Westend-Süd district, this botanical garden is spread over 22 hectares. It’s a beautiful space to unwind in the city with its wide variety of plants and greenhouses. The garden traces its origins back to 1868 when it was once a part of Duke Adolph of Nassau’s castle gardens.
- Sightseeing Cruise – One of the best ways to see the famous Frankfurt sights is on a cruise down the River Main. This tour from 1-2 hours gives you a choice of seeing the sights upstream or downstream. You could extend it to see both sides of the river if you want.
- Frankfurt Scary Tour – When you’re done exploring the regular sights of Frankfurt why not see the ‘scary’ side too. This unique guided tour also incorporates a satirical theater play with masked actors.
