To be honest I had a really hard time justifying staying at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport, given the number of great options that Starwood has in Frankfurt. There’s the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport, which is ridiculously convenient for a quick overnight given that it’s directly connected to the terminal. But for a slightly longer overnight it’s tough to beat a hotel in the city, which is just a 20 minute train ride from the airport. I like both the Westin Frankfurt and Le Meridien Frankfurt, so wouldn’t hesitate to return to any of those three Starwood properties in Frankfurt.
That being said, the Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn opened at Frankfurt Airport just under two years ago, so I figured it was time to finally check it out for the purposes of writing a review.
Our flight from Brussels landed in the late afternoon and we were connecting to Miami on a pre-10AM flight, so the plan was to stay at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport and go into the city for the evening.
I have 500,000+ Hilton Honors points (unfortunately), and since the March Honors devaluation, redeeming them at properties like the Conrad Koh Samui is no longer lucrative.
So in this case I had the choice between redeeming 50,000 Honors points or spending 179 Euros (~247USD). In this case redeeming points seemed like the better option, even if I wasn’t thrilled with the redemption.
The Hilton is located in the SQUAIRE complex, which is where the long distance trains leave from. You walk past the Sheraton on the way there, and it’s maybe an additional 10-12 minute walk. The signage is clear, though a 12 minute walk in each direction adds up, especially if you’re checking into the hotel, then walking to the local train station, then walking back to the hotel, and then checking out of the hotel. So in the case of our overnight staying at the Hilton vs. the Sheraton cost us about an hour of time.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport signage
Walkway to SQUAIRE
The SQUAIRE itself is a really impressive, futuristic looking building.
The SQUAIRE
A crew for a major Middle Eastern airline was arriving at the same time as us, and interestingly the flight attendants turned left towards the Hilton Garden Inn, while the pilots and purser turned right towards the Hilton.
I did find it rather amusing that the entrances to the hotels are literally right next to one another, and that the Hilton Garden Inn has much bigger signage than the Hilton.
Entrance to Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Frankfurt Airport
Hilton Frankfurt Airport entrance
The lobby has an impressive open air feel to it, with tons of glass and a large atrium. The check-in desk was located to the left, while a lobby bar was located to the right.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport lobby
The check-in process was efficient. I asked about the possibility of an upgrade (after all, the rules for suite upgrades at Hilton aren’t especially straightforward), and the agent said “yes, of course you have been upgraded.” I didn’t push it further since we were ultimately just there for a quick overnight.
We took the elevator up to our room on the ninth floor.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport atrium
Hilton Frankfurt Airport elevators
Our room, 9101, was located at the far end of the hallway.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport hallway
Hilton Frankfurt Airport room door
The room had a small entryway with a mirror to the left and bathroom to the right.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room entrance
Hilton Frankfurt Airport floorplan
The room itself featured two comfortable twin beds, a desk, and a lounge chair with accompanying coffee table.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin beds
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room desk and TV
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room lounge chair
The room didn’t feature a view of the airport, which I realize to most people is a selling point, but I sure do love having views of a bunch of heavy aircraft when staying at the Sheraton.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room view
Back near the entrance was the closet and bathroom.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room closet
The bathroom was large and modern, with a sink, toilet, and separate bathtub and shower.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room bathroom
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room bathtub
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room toilet
The toiletries were Peter Thomas Roth branded, as is standard at Hilton properties. Meh.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport twin room toiletries
So on the whole the room wasn’t huge, though was nicely designed and felt fresh. I’m not sure exactly what kind of upgrade we received, but for a quick overnight the room was more than sufficient. There were a few things about the room that clearly weren’t thought through. For example, there were no outlets near the bed. Also, there wasn’t really a barrier between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, so by the time I was done showering the floor looked as if all seating areas of Noah’s Ark had boarded through the bathroom.
Wifi (which is complimentary for Honors Diamond and Gold members) was reasonably fast.
The hotel also has an executive lounge, which offers an evening happy hour from 6PM till 8:30PM, which we received access to due to my Honors Diamond status.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge entrance
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge entrance
Physically the lounge is beautiful, with tons of seating. There are tables with chairs, lounge chairs, etc.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
There’s also a business center with some PCs.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge business center
I thought the evening spread itself was pretty weak, at least in comparison to the Sheraton. There was a self serve bar, but in terms of food there were just finger sandwiches, chips, nuts, veggies, cheese, and two pretty lackluster hot options. Don’t get me wrong, compared to a US property that’s impressive, but for Europe I certainly wasn’t blown away.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge self serve bar
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge self serve drinks
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge evening spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge evening spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge evening spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge evening spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge evening spread
The breakfast spread wasn’t much more impressive. It had fruit, yogurt, cheese, bread, cereal, and two hot options.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Hilton Frankfurt Airport executive lounge breakfast spread
Again, physically it’s a really nice lounge and the spread is certainly fine, though I prefer the Sheraton’s spread.
The hotel also has a nice gym with one of the biggest entryways I’ve seen for what’s a fairly small space.
Hilton Frankfurt Airport gym entrance
Hilton Frankfurt Airport gym entrance
Hilton Frankfurt Airport gym
Hilton Frankfurt Airport gym
The gym had modern equipment as you’d expect for a new hotel, and I used it at 6AM before our flight to Miami.
My dad and I had a lovely time wandering around Frankfurt for a few hours. Even though my family is from there and I’ve been visiting since I was a toddler, the city really hasn’t grown on me till the past few visits. It’s incredibly industrial and to some degree lacks charm, but at the same time there’s something really great about it. I dunno, maybe I’m just going crazy.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt
On the whole the Hilton Frankfurt Airport is a solid choice near the airport. The hotel is modern, though it is considerably more inconvenient than the Sheraton, especially if you’re not only going roundtrip to the airport, but also planning on going roundtrip into the city by train.
As a Starwood Platinum and Hilton Diamond I’d return to the Sheraton all else being equal, due to the convenient location and excellent club lounge. But if I were Hilton Diamond/Gold and didn’t have status with Starwood I’d stay here again in a heartbeat.
At the price point, though, I think you’re generally better off staying in the city if your layover is long enough.
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.