Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [463]
Frankfurt Hostel ( 247 5130; www.frankfurt-hostel.com; Kaiserstrasse 74, 3rd fl, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; dm €17-25, s €30-55, d €45-75, s/d during fairs up to €100/140; ) Popular with young travellers, this lively, 230-bed establishment has bare-bones dorm rooms with metal bunks, wood-floored hallways that squeak, small shared kitchens and free, all-you-can-eat spaghetti on Saturday.
Hotel Pension Backer ( 747 992; fax 747 900; Mendelssohnstrasse 92, Westend; Westend; s/d/tr with shared bathroom €25/40/45, breakfast per person €5) This no-frills, internet-challenged pension has 30 basic rooms that share five bathrooms, one on each floor. It’s clean but don’t expect an effusive welcome.
Hotel Carlton ( 241 8280; www.carlton-hotel-frankfurt.de; Karlstrasse 11, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; s/d €50/70, weekends from €40/50, during fairs up to €190/250; ) In a century-old building, the Carlton’s 28 rooms are neat, practical and fairly large, but hardly romantic.
Hotel am Zoo ( 949 930; www.hotel-am-zoo.com; Alfred-Brehm-Platz 6, Ostend; Zoo; s €50-70, d €70-90, s/d during fairs €168/198; ) Across the square from the zoo, this unpretentious hotel has 85 hypoallergenic rooms in white, yellow and blue. Near the eastern end of the Zeil.
Hotel Excelsior ( 256 080; www.hotelexcelsior-frankfurt.de; Mannheimer Strasse 7-9, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; s/d €58/71, weekends €55/69, during fairs up to €220/259; ) Behind a brand-new, light-green facade, this 197-room place offers excellent value, with a free business centre, free coffee, tea, vegies and cakes in the lobby, and free landline phone calls throughout Germany.
Hotel Ibis Frankfurt Centrum ( 273 030; www.ibishotel.de; Speicherstrasse 4, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; s & d Mon-Fri €79, weekends & holidays €59, s/d during fairs up to €189/219, breakfast €10; ) You won’t be swinging cats in the rooms of this 233-room chain hotel, but they are bright and some have nice views to the river or the quiet yard. An electronic scoreboard out front shows the day’s prices.
MIDRANGE
Ramada City Center ( 310 810; www.ramada.com; Weserstrasse 17, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; s/d from €65/112, weekends €65/85, during fairs from €199/299; ) Though unspectacular, this 108-room chain hotel offers all the fundamentals. Decent value for Frankfurt.
Hotel Hamburger Hof ( 2713 9690; www.hamburgerhof.com; Poststrasse 10-12, Bahnhofsviertel; Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; s/d Mon-Thu €80/100, weekends, holidays & summer from €55/75, during fairs up to €240/250; ) A practical hotel with a spiffy new white-and-maroon lobby and 66 comfortable rooms.
Hotel am Dom ( 138 1030; www.hotelamdom.de; Kannengiessergasse 3, Altstadt; Dom/Römer; s/d €90/120, apt €130) This unprepossessing, 30-room hotel has immaculate rooms, apartments with kitchenettes and four-person suites just a few paces from the cathedral.
Hotel Falk ( 7191 8870; www.hotel-falk.de; Falkstrasse 38a, Bockenheim; Leipziger Strasse; s/d €100/130, weekends €65/85, during fairs up to €225/275; ) Near the Bockenheim shops and student eateries, this modern hotel has 29 rooms that are smallish but practical and comfy.
Hotel Liebig ( 2418 2990; www.hotelliebig.de; Liebigstrasse 45, Westend; Westend; s €112-170, d €138-205, q €360, weekends s/d/q from €95/115/295, d during fairs up to €295; ) In the verdant Westend, this Italian-run family hotel has 19 bright rooms with wood floors and stylish bathrooms. Prices include breakfast only on the weekend.
TOP END
Villa Orange ( 405 840; www.villa-orange.de; Hebelstrasse 1, Nordend; Musterschule; s/d from €128/158, weekends €90/99, during fairs up to €255/275; ) Offering tranquillity, modern German design and small-hotel comforts (eg a quiet corner library),