Frankfurt is known as the business capital of Germany, it conjures up images of finance expeditions – that no doubt friends of yours in the city have been on – and that’s about it. It’s currently the richest city by GDP in Europe, so of course efficiency and a no-nonsense attitude prevail. However, we found that the city is crammed surprisingly full with a genuinely exciting mix of cultural delights, enough to make for a truly charming weekend away.
SLEEP
Jumeirah Frankfurt embodies everything travellers in Frankfurt for business or pleasure would want from their accommodation. First off the location can’t be beaten; right in the heart of the city, Jumeirah’s a stone’s throw from all the major shopping streets, the river, a selection of fantastic museums, and the financial district. The hotel is housed in a modern skyscraper, which offers views that are nothing short of breath-taking and render the stark city scape at its most beautiful. Despite the hotels intimidating premise, the service is notably friendly. A gift of ‘Skyline Honey’ made by the hotel’s own bees that are kept in hives on the roof was a heart-warming touch. Rooms are stylishly designed in neutral tones and were appointed with all the necessary amenities. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar, a spa, and the all-important complimentary WIFI throughout – enough to tick all our boxes!
DINE
Frankfurt makes for a surprisingly fruitful hunting ground for foodies – everything from fine French cuisine to the most delicious German cakes can be found.
The most romantic meal to be had in Frankfurt can be found at Restaurant Francais within the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel. Holding on to its Michelin star for years, the dining experience here is sheer bliss. Patrick Bittner’s tasting menus are perfectly balanced, light, and yet sinfully delicious. Critically lauded, the food is some of the best French food outside of France. The service provided by Maître d’ Nils Blümke and sommelier Franck Mouzon felt more like being a charmed guest in someone’s home. Then there’s the setting; request the elegant Winter Garden with its high ceilings and moulded cornices if you can. In the evening the restaurant’s pale shades of alabaster, grey, and postbox red are illuminated with a collection of lanterns and candles – this has to be the closest to heaven a dining experience can be, a destination in itself.
The hotel we stayed at Jumeirah Frankfurt offers two dining concepts. The first is Max on One, which serves up modern European cuisine. We dined on lobster bisque and beautifully pink lamb – all delicious. The restaurant is styled in warm honey toned woods and has a central glass wine cellar, it’s a tranquil spot for supper where you’ll be taken good care of. The second restaurant is called El Rayyan and takes its cue from the hotel’s Middle Eastern heritage. Offering a high quality menu of Lebanese favourite such as grills and mezzes, it’s perfect for when all that indulgent German and French food gets a bit heavy!
Jacques Garcia is the designer of Hotel Costes, one of the most glamorous and decadent hotel-cum-restaurants in the world (it’s coming to London soon!). Little did we know, he also did the interiors for a local favourite in Frankfurt! Zarges has all the same rich shades of red and black and more velvet than a tart’s boudoir. The food is a mix of German and French classics, and can be trusted to deliver exceptional quality. Perfect for a romantic supper and just a 5 minute walk from Jumeirah, it’s one for the list!
PLAY
Frankfurt has a boggling number of museums, far too many to get to grips with in one weekend, but plenty to cater to everyone. We were blown away by the Städel Museum, the largest museum but one in Germany and home to everything from old masters to cutting edge contemporary. The basement is home to works by iconic Modern Art masters such as Lucio Fontana, Gerhard Richter, Francis Bacon, and Yves Klein. If that’s not enough art, the Museum für Moderne Kunst was another favourite. Specialising in post-war and contemporary art, the museum was a real hands on interactive adventure of an exhibition – perfect for getting little ones bitten by the art bug. We found some heart wrenching works by Roy Lichtenstein and Alexander Calder.
Aside from art, Frankfurt is home to two rather splendid gardens; the Chinese Garden and the Palm Garden. Perhaps rather surprising given their setting, both gardens follow their theme to the letter. The former is a painstakingly landscaped oriental garden complete with pagodas and pavilions, the latter a more exotic garden that hints at the Middle East.
As for shopping, Jumeirah is quite literally one minute away from Frankfurt’s answer to Oxford Street – but don’t let that put you off, it’s much quieter than our manic shopping mecca. For something a little more exclusive head to Goesthestrasse where you’ll find the very best names in international fashion such as Cartier, Hermes, Chanel, and Prada. When winter comes, Frankfurt gears itself up for the festive season. The city hosts several Christmas markets – as only Germans really know how to do – far less touristy than those found elsewhere in Germany, they’re another reason to visit the city.
For those of you looking to get to grips with Germany’s impressive wine history, not far out from the city if Villa Rothschild. This lavish hotel and Michelin starred restaurant is set in the heart of wine country and is yet another good excuse for gourmet food and too much wine!
Berlin, Cologne, and Munich have been on our radar for a while, but Frankfurt really won us over. While walking along the River Main, my friend and I both agreed we would really rather like to come back some time.