Going green is the ethos of the fascinating German city of Frankfurt.
Best known as the most important financial hub in continental Europe, it’s surprisingly compact and green, with a third of the city’s urban area covered in vegetation to support its microclimate and reduce CO² in the atmosphere.
Proud of its forest in the south of the city, many parks, extensive green belt and a strong commitment to sustainability through initiatives like eco roofs and solar power, Frankfurt is cycle friendly and makes nature accessible to all.
The hospitality sector also takes protecting the planet seriously and 4-star apart hotel, Capri by Fraser was specially designed to ensure it is environmentally friendly.
Next to Messe Frankfurt, the world’s largest trade fair, the family and pet welcoming accommodation is also very trendy.
The 153 rooms feature fully equipped kitchenettes, and the open plan layout allows for huge comfy beds and a spacious dining and lounge area in the studio apartments.
Many visitors come for work, and the rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi and a generous work station with a home entertainment system for down time.
As part of the hotel’s bid to help the environment, kitchen equipment and condiments are delivered to the room on request as is housekeeping (no cleaning is rewarded with a free drink in the bar) and there is a water refilling system and laundry room on each floor.
Downstairs you will find a high performance gym and easy on the eye reception area with work stations, a bar and well stocked mini shop. Breakfasts are satisfying with German favourites such as cheese pretzels and mini Frankfurters alongside a selection of local cheeses and meats and hot options.
The hotel is linked to the main tram and bus system, but it’s just as easy to walk everywhere and on weekends, as the businessmen depart, leisure visitors can pick up a bargain at this top quality establishment.
There is much to see and do in this lovely city, from taking a boat ride down the Main River, a tributary of the Rhine, to enjoying the traditional apple wine bars in the Sachsenhausen district and tucking into the infamous Frankfurt Crown cake with its soft creamy inside and hazelnut brittle outside, topped with a ring of cherries and best served at the old-fashioned Golden Waage coffee shop.
The city is also known for its sausages and schnitzel and green sauce, a blend of seven herbs, a creamy base of yoghurt or sour cream and boiled eggs.
The Chicken Market, set on the cobblestones of the historic old town is a great place to try the traditional dishes and the setting allows for central sight-seeing, including St Paul’s Church where elected representatives drew up their first German constitution from 1848.
Frankfurt’s cathedral was originally built in the 13th century and kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned in the church from 1356 to 1792.
A former patrician villa with its three-gabled roof has served as Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405 and is still used by the Lord Mayor today and blends well with the new “old” town which saw the area reconstructed in the mid-2000s to resemble how the city looked before it was badly bombed in the Second World War.
With a nod to its outdoor life, Frankfurt boasts a lovely botanical garden in the heart of the city. The Palmengarten is an oasis, with water features and plants from across the world, as well as a beautiful butterfly house.
A fun way of retracing Frankfurt’s history is through Time Ride, which gives a 360 degree panoramic view of 2000 years of history though interactive goggles, all while riding on an improvised horse and carriage.
City planners have ensured that old traditional parts blend in well with new modern skyscrapers needed to house the many banks and financial institutions, and a bird’s eye view is best seen at the 56-storey Main Tower, which has a spectacular platform on its top floor. Here it’s easy to spot all the main sights and on a clear day, you can see for miles.
The Romantic Museum and neighbouring Goethe House are a must for culture vultures, interested in writing and paintings and the Städel Museum houses over 700 years’ worth of stunning art.
Strolling through the North End of the city is rewarded with a beautiful Chinese garden and water pagodas tucked in the lovely Bethmann Park and a chance to see some of 300 little water houses from the 19th century which sold mineral water to make up for the undrinkable tap and are now used as food, drink and cultural outlets.
Berger Street is home to many up and coming trendy shops and restaurants and a short tram ride out of the city to District Höchst gives you a chance to see the area full of quaint houses and a castle ruin and explore more green areas.
The Details
Capri by Fraser, 42 Europa-Allee, 60327, Frankfurt, Germany.
Tel: +49 69 133 88 77 888
Website: www.frasershospitality.com
Email: reservations.frankfurt@caprifraser.com
Reaching the hotel from Frankfurt Airport, involves a 15 minute train ride to the Festhalle/Messe station, right next to the airport or via a taxi or rideshare.
Type of Hotel: 4-Star Apart Hotel
Number of Rooms: 153 rooms
Price Band: Capri by Fraser offers a range of discounts, currently including advance purchase and free breakfast from £86 per night, giving 15% off and free breakfast by booking in advance. A flexible rate for two with free breakfast, starting at £167 and the longer you stay the cheaper it gets with offers for 28 nights or more ranging from £88.
Insider Tip: The Frankfurt Card is great for transport and discount and offers on attractions and hospitality. The ever-friendly tourist information is available via www.visitfrankfurt.travel.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
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