Cindy-Lou Dale

Bristol Hotel, Ludwigstrasse 15, 60327 Frankfurt, Tel +49 (0)69 242390 Fax +49 (0)69 251539

The Bristol Hotel, located near the train station and a ten minutes walk from the shopping centre, was difficult to find, even with the aide of a map – it’s not listed on GPS. The reception area is a trendy and tranquil chill zone with chunky designer seating in cowhide upholstery in dues of mocca and sand. The sublte mood lighting in shades of candy and ginger is somewhat refreshing too. At no added cost internet access is available from three built-in consoles in the reception area.

This contemporary theme is carried through to the 145 guest rooms, but brought up a notch by addding subtle caramel lighting, havanna and stone striped carpets and buttercup-coloured leather upholstered furnishings. But the designer detail falls short in the bathroom which, although still hip, lacks space and a bath. It has a shower closet designed in such a way as to soak the floor of the whole bathroom, and offers nowhere within the shower cubicle to put the complimentary designer cinnamon soap or Earth Factory glass bottles of toiletries. My room was spacious and meticulously clean but not all guests are as lucky as I noted when I peaked into a single room which was really tiny, with little room for you to change your mind, let alone your clothes. Chargeable wireless LAN access is available in the rooms, which also offers voice mail, a mini bar, a large fan (no air-conditioning) and satellite television.

There is a stylish bar on the ground floor which has a provocative ambience about it with a selection of saucy posters and devilish overpriced cocktails. During the summer months this spirit is taken to the Bristol Summer Lounge – described in the local press as the most beautiful summer courtyard garden in the city. Once a month DJs from around Europe hit their music decks in the cocktail bar (or garden) and spin their favourite labels to the small hours. This usually occurs on a Friday night.

Although parking is just across the road, it’s inconvenient to get to and has a rather interesting parking bay numbering system.

The Bristol Hotel is geared more for the trendy business traveler and adults traveling in Europe. It’s not localted in the most congenial of surroundings (drugs are bought and sold in the vicinity and it borders the red-light district), but its close to the station which takes passengers on a 12-minute train ride directly to Frankfurt International Airport.

Prices start at €85 and progresses to €218. A good continental spread costs an additional €20.

As the home of continental Europe’s largest airport, biggest passenger train station and a major overland traffic hub, Frankfurt is easily commutable.

Word count: 459