The best hotels in Frankfurt

The stylish home of a well-traveled fictional character, Libertine Lindenberg in the Alt-Sachsenhausen-neighborhood is not your traditional hotel experience. It's more of a cosmopolitan community than average accommodation, and among the more unique amenities in the four-star, five-story boutique are film and concert nights, a recording studio, cooking classes and a punching bag in the basement gym. The individually styled suites (choose between one, two or three bedrooms) are available by night or month and can include kitchenettes. Soak up the meandering city skyline on the top floor in the 24-hour fully-stocked kitchen, where ingredients for various meal options are available on an honor system.

Time Out tip: Bikes are free to guests, but perhaps you’d like to zip around on the Libertine’s über stylish yellow Vespa ($39 a day).

A short jaunt from the central station, 25Hours is an ode to both the longtime masters of denim and the art of globetrotting. All 152 rooms are styled out with some particularly chic denim detailing and a variety of culturally-inspired fabrics - and as for the must-have amenities, the rooms are equipped with: air conditioning, Bluetooth speakers and wifi. Plus, there's also an on-site gym where you can get super-sweaty, too. In line with certain eco-conscious European customs (we're looking at you, Amsterdam) the hotel has teamed up with Schnidelhaur to offer guests bikes for hire, so you can glide from one attraction to the next. Once you've dipped in and out of Frankfurts best museums, galleries and gigs, wheel back to 25hours for speedy shower and then saunter downstairs. You'll find a majorly good eatery on the ground floor, The Goldman, where you can sample the regional and seasonal local offerings in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Time Out tip: Some of the rooms have more privacy than others due to glass bathroom doors; ask when you book if you have a preference.

This design hotel is dedicated to the friends and lovers of German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who lived there for a year. The 19 rooms, filled with thoughtful details like antique side tables and upholstered armchairs, range from 260-960 square feet and benefit from a prime location directly on the banks of the River Main. And for those that enjoy the odd tipple - the bar serves up excellent cocktails; try the Lemongrass Sour 10, a fusion of lemongrass infused gin, maraschino, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white. Mmmmm.

Time Out tip: A restaurant and self-service beer garden make the terrace one of the best places in the city to enjoy a warm summer evening.

In these 153 studio- and one-bedroom apartments —all with fully-equipped kitchens—sculptural vases and glassware, cactuses, tattoo art books and candle sticks are thoughtful design accents in bookcases. Walls displaying contemporary art throughout add to the homey feel. Meal options are available from both a grab-and-go snack bar and a full-service restaurant brasserie serving international cuisine and authentic Asian dishes.

Time Out tip: The Messeturm, once Europe’s highest building, is a 10 minute walk away and visible from north-facing rooms.

A short walk from Frankfurt Central station, this iconic boutique hotel chain channels the sensual undertone of the burlesque world in both rooms and public areas (which include a bar, restaurant and spa). All 116 rooms and suites are mysterious and unique, and details such as dark natural stone, upholstered headboards, plush velvet and ambience lighting evoke a sultry elegance where you can indulge in all your luxe fantasies.

Time Out tip: Sink into a tub filled to the brim with glass beads in the spa for a unique relaxation experience.

Adding to Frankfurts collection of trendy design hotels, The Pure has a soothing design which would delight even the fussiest of minimalists. Distinguished by Thassos marble, light grey floors and an abundance of white features, the rooms are bright but compact - although, thanks to high ceilings, the space feels more cozy than cramped. The gym and the spa—where you’ll find a sauna and steam room—are open 24 hours and other thoughtful touches include breakfast served until 1pm and a 4pm extended checkout free of charge on Sundays - perfect for those of us who prefer a lay in. As an added extra there are some pretty snuggly bean bags on the patio, which is intimately candle-lit on summer evenings.

Time Out tip: While the hotel does not serve food after 1pm, orders can be placed from nearby restaurants.

As a major international hub, Frankfurt Airport is home to its fair share of brutal layovers and early flights. The brand-new Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport has all the fixings for making these travel itineraries as stress-free as possible. Despite a chain hotel construct, the 312 rooms have a residential feel, and two of the four room types have ‘cozy corners’–meaning you can relax on a sofa bed or a chaise lounge. In-room coffee and tea, a 24-hour gym and kitchen and grab-and-go meals available for purchase bring home the dedication to convenience.

Time Out tip: Print out your boarding pass by connecting with your cellphone directly to a remote printer.

A visit by John F. Kennedy in 1963 left such an impression at this luxury hotel in the Sachsenhausen neighborhood that the proprietors changed its name to Villa Kennedy. Now black-and-white photos of the U.S. president adorn walls of the carefully restored historic grand villa, once home to an influential banking family. The villa and its three new wings are all centered around a garden terrace. A 50-foot lap pool is among the amenities in the four-level, 11,000-square-foot spa, and the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Gusto, boasts a generous smattering of awards. 

Time Out tip: Check the hotel’s website for live music events in the JFK bar.

The comforts of apartment-style living combined with a prime location on the River Main keep guests returning to the Adina Apartment Hotel Frankfurt Neue Oper, situated a five-minute walk from the financial and Old Town districts. For those with no time or energy for cooking, a large hot and cold breakfast buffet kicks each morning off and room service runs 16 hours a day.

Time Out tip: The Goethe House, where German writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born, is a nine-minute walk away.

This luxury hotel was once the city residence of Prince Wolfgang of Hesse, and the 35 rooms and suites are packed full of royal antiques, with noble fabrics and carpets and historic art. The 29 executive junior suites, designed by a German Countess, are nearly 600 square feet and have luxurious accents such as marble bathrooms and dark granite countertops. The royal treatment continues in the spa, where you’ll find a steam room and sauna, Ayurvedic-style massages and medical treatments such as osteopathy or chiropractic services.

Time Out tip: You’ll find live piano music until 3am in the hotel’s cocktail bar, Jimmy’s Bar.