Berlin, Hamburg, Munich. They’re all well-loved weekend destinations known for avant-garde clubs, cultural intrigue, hearty food, and the spectacle that is Oktoberfest. But one of Germany’s most intriguing cities has been flying under the tourist radar for decades. As Germany’s financial hub, Frankfurt has always had a somewhat dowdy reputation, but the metropolis is anything but boring. Now, the once shady city is having its moment in the spotlight thanks to an influx of creative street art, an epic food scene, and the rise in design-led hotels like Roomers Frankfurt.
Part of Germany’s Gekko Group, the hotel takes up residence in an abandoned office block close to the city’s River Main. While the façade feels a tad soulless, once the property’s huge matte black doors — emblazoned with Gekko’s Scarab-esque style logo — are opened, a sanctuary of sumptuous interiors and intrigue unfolds.
Where?
Ideally located, just a ten-minute walk from the slightly ominous surroundings of Frankfurt’s main train station, the five-star hotel has made its home in the vibrant Westend district, away from the bustle of Frankfurt’s historical market square of Römerberg. The rest of the city, and its plethora of museums and galleries is easy to reach on foot or bicycle since the whole city, it seems, gets around on two wheels, especially during weekends when traffic often overwhelms the central town’s cobbled streets.
Just a 1 hour, 30-minute flight from London’s terminals, return flights can be snagged for as little as £32 (crazily, that’s less than most London to Brighton return train services).
Style
A lot of deep mauves, and other dark, seductive tones, along with sheer black drapes, and low lighting give Roomers Frankfurt a boudoir-style air, albeit more sophisticated than that sounds, Roomers Frankfurt exudes sleek, understated luxury.
Communal areas, including the bar and the hotel’s Asian cum Californian restaurant, are known somewhat as Frankfurt institutions with locals in the know descending regularly for heady evening cocktails or uninhibited weekend escapades, and yet, the place never feels crowded. Lacquered black surfaces, high-shine coffee table books, and wispy dried pampas grass interspersed with peacock plumes add to the communal space decor. There’s even customised design-focused merch available to buy in the lobby, ‘ACID’ emblazoned cap, anyone?
Which room?
With impressive views of the Frankfurt skyline and its densely concentrated clusters of high-rise buildings, room 414 is hard to beat. The expansive suite marries comfort with artistic flair providing the ideal sanctuary to rest and rejuvenate after a day viewing the city’s impressive murals, what’s more, there’s a bathtub that seems to be big enough for four. Backed by a golden padded headboard the comfy bed is dressed in satiny soft sheets and also of epic proportions, while the colour theme of deep purple and sheer black continues throughout.
The room also features a desk area topped with a Marshall radio and an impressive array of drinks and snacks, from peanut M&M’s and bags of Haribo to Ruinart champagne and bottles of Gude beer. Aromatherapy-inspired bath and body products from German brand Daluma are supplied in all of the hotel’s 118 rooms from the ‘petite’ category to ‘Roomers Suite’ with its two bathrooms and own private lounge.
Food & Drink
A full buffet-style breakfast is included in room rates with everything you’d usually expect of a five-star hotel, as well as added extras like fresh ginger shots and Bloody Marys to revive tired souls. The hotel’s restaurant Burbank opens daily for dinner and is housed in the same dining room where breakfast is served. Here the menu is an eclectic blend, featuring various plates of ceviche and translucent sashimi, as well as dishes like crispy fried duck with green papaya salad and ‘Mr Duc’s fire sauce’ smothered fried chicken wings. It’s worth noting that cocktails are particularly good and extremely potent.
For lunch, it’s worth joining the queue, usually snaking out from an inconspicuous glass and tiled hole-in-the-wall in Kleinmarkthalle in central Frankfurt. The eatery in question, Schreiber, serves only a handful of German sausages, alongside bread and pickles. Lunch will cost you less than €5 and will surely put a smile on your face.
Extracurricular
Boasting over 30 murals Frankfurt has a remarkable street art scene with many famed urban artists hailing from the very city itself. Andreas von Chrzanowski, otherwise known as Case Maclaim, is one such artist whose photorealist work often focuses on human body parts, particularly hands and fingers, in great detail.
Renowned in the art scene, Maclaim’s impressive large-scale pieces can not only be seen in and around Frankfurt but on city buildings across the world from Tbilisi, Georgia, and USA’s Milwaukee to Vienna, Austria.
Best for…
Anyone hankering after an exciting weekend getaway. With its deeply relaxing spa, dimly-lit spacious bedrooms, and provocative vibe Roomers Frankfurt provides the ideal base for couples, solo travellers, or friends, but go now. Frankfurt's popularity is on the up so this buzzy, walkable, city won’t be this crowdless forever.
