Review: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Nice to see a review of a “regular hotel” — keep up the good work, Ben.

I like Dilmah tea. They had that in room at the Hiltons I’ve stayed in Germany.

What do you when you get home from these long trips ? Is it business as usual next day ? Do you need a full day of rest ? Do you ever get sick from spending prolonged time in airports and on airplanes (ie sore throat , flu , etc) ?

I have stayed there last month and it was great / much better then the sheraton where you even cannot control room temperature

@ D3kingg -- Indeed, it's decent tea! Usually I hit the road running when I got home, and don't really get a day of recovery. I just hope for a great night of sleep.

I'm really lucky that I rarely get sick when I travel. Some will make fun of me, but I wear a mask when in crowded parts of airports. Back in the day I'd get sick after almost every trip, while nowadays I don't. I couldn't really justify these trips anymore if I got sick so often, so I'm lucky in that regard...

Actually surprised to see a review of a non-luxury hotel.

Hello Ben,
Since the Garden Inn doesn’t have a club lounge, you could’ve used the nearby LUXXLOUNGE with your priority pass. Its before security and used to be an Admirals Club back in the days.

I think 3.5 stars is pretty generous here. €160 is no value for an airport hotel in Europe; especially one as tired as this. I paid €152 for the MUC Hilton the other night, and it's an actual nice place to be, and MUC is much harder to get to than FRA. How do they justify those rates when you can be in the city in just a few minutes? Surely stranded pax and crew make up the overwhelming majority of guests.

Luxx Lounge is open daily from 06:30 until 21:30 and is one of the better Priority Pass Lounges in Germany (compared to Bremen, Dresden, Köln, Saarbrücken, Hannover A, Hannover C)

For Lucky and anyone else, if I have a 24 hour layover at FRA, is it better to stay at one of these airport hotels and visit the city, or just go into the city and stay there overnight? Factor in a large suitcase that has be checked in...

I would stay by the airport. S-Bahn to central Frankfurt is a very quick ride (about 15 minutes) and runs 24/7.

Lucky, presume you had "breakfast" selected as your HGI Diamond benefit (instead of 750 bonus points)?

In a 24 hour layover I would stay in Mainz, delightful spot with plenty of US-chain-hotels. Visit the Gutenberg museum and see the first printed book.

But if it's just overnight the airport hotels are good, the HGI is fine and there's a proper supermarket a few yards away.

I stayed there the other night, and have stayed in the past. Similar to you, usually a short layover. As a Lifetime Diamond, I get the breakfast option or the Points. I agree wholeheartedly with your review. Feel it is getting slightly tired but for a short stay, it's fine. Breakfast selection was very very good indeed.

2 things you didn't mention. One being the water pressure in the shower. Wow, Fantastic. A proper shower, full-blown pressure. None of the this woke green, dribbling shower head saving the bloody earth nonsense.

Full blown pressure, the way showers ere designed. ( I actually think we use less water when the shower isn't a dribble because you are properly washed a lot quicker ).

The second really good thing about the location, downstairs you can get trains to anywhere in Europe and there is a fantastic array of restaurants and shops including a REWE Supermarket if you need any fresh food or to top up your toiletries.

But apart from those, review was how I saw it as well.

I appreciate the detailed review of an accessible and affordable airport hotel. I’ve stayed there several times prior to or after international flights. I found it a reasonable value. I will check out the renovated Marriott properties down the hall next time.

I’ve stayed in Messe. There is Uber. Under 10 min walk to central train station. I like sky mall to go shopping ; mid end reasonably priced . Someone suggested Mainz. I’ve wanted to take a day trip via train to Stuttgart for Mercedes and Porsche museums. Nothing too exciting in FRA. It’s a financial centre.

"there are four hotels connected directly to the airport" Isn't the Hyatt Place directly connected, through the S-Bahn station? That's how they advertise it, I have a stay there in April.

Hyatt Place is at gateway gardens, one S-Bahn station away.

Hyatt Place is at gateway gardens, one S-Bahn station away.

Thanks! I'd be arriving between 10:30am and 11:00am, and departing around the same time the next day.

Interesting, as mentioned below, I'd be arriving between 10:30am and 11:00am, and departing around the same time the next day. Mainz does seem like another good option. For me the main issue is dragging the suitcase onto public transportation...

The Hilton booking website states that the sauna and steam room are closed until further notice.

I had a much nicer stay there at the Hilton Garden than in the Sheraton. Since I had no Marriott status, my room in the Sheraton was just awful, with leaking ceilings and a filthy window that you couldn't see much out of.
I misplaced my passport, and the staff at the Hilton Garden was so helpful and understanding in helping me find it. Also note that there is a grocery store (Rewe) in the Squaire main floor over on the other side which has a lot of good fresh to go meals and is open late. I also enjoyed the breakfast at the HGI which was free with Diamond or Gold status.

@Ben, how often is it to see an espresso machine in a limited service hotel such as this? This is certainly a nice feature typically reserved for an outlet like an M-Club.