After flying from Vancouver to Frankfurt in Lufthansa first class, we had an overnight before continuing to Catania on airberlin the following morning.
In terms of convenience you really can’t beat the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport, which is connected to the terminal. Given that our flight was leaving from Frankfurt before 6AM the following morning, it seemed best to spend the night close to the airport and then just take the train into the city for the afternoon, as opposed to dealing with transport in the wee hours of the morning.
I reviewed the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport about two years ago and while I’ve had several stays there since then, I didn’t actually review them. So I figured I’d write another review of the property, since it has been a while.
Upon arrival from Vancouver we exited the terminal and took the walkway to the Sheraton, which is located one level up from the check-in desks.
Frankfurt Airport terminal
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport exterior
Walkway to Sheraton Frankfurt Airport
I know I’ll get flamed for this, but I love Frankfurt Airport. The airport itself sucks, but I just love the variety of traffic, and as a Lufthansa fanboy I could just gaze at the traffic on the tarmac all day long. One actually awesome thing about Frankfurt Airport that a lot of people don’t realize is just how much shopping there is across the walkway from the terminal. There’s a supermarket, Starbucks, and all kinds of decent dining options. If I’m visiting my parents (in Florida) I always love to load up on German food at the supermarket across from the terminal before my flight back to the US.
Anyway, the walk to the Sheraton took us about five minutes.
Walkway to Sheraton Frankfurt Airport
Sheraton Frankfurt entrance
I do find the inside of the Sheraton to be a bit odd, since the lobby feels very scattered.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport lobby
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport lobby
There was only one person ahead of us in the check-in queue, and we were both checked in within a few minutes. We’re both Platinum members and got upgraded to club rooms. The friendly agent explained all the Platinum benefits, including:
- Complimentary club lounge access
- Complimentary internet
- A welcome gift (we both chose the 500 Starpoints)
- 4PM late check-out (which we didn’t need)
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport lobby
For what it’s worth my rate was 109EUR including tax for the night. This is a Category 4 SPG property, meaning a free night redemption would have cost 10,000 Starpoints, while a Cash & Points redemption would have cost 5,000 Starpoints plus $75. So in this case paying cash was the best value by far, in my opinion, given how valuable Starpoints are.
I was assigned a club room on the eighth floor of the Towers section of the hotel.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport lobby
I’m not sure of the status of renovations in the other wing of the hotel, but the Towers section is renovated and feels fresh.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport hallway
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport floorplan
The room was what you’d expect for a renovated Sheraton property, with a king size bed, desk, and chair with ottoman by the window.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport room
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport room
I find the beds at this hotel to be extremely comfortable, though maybe that’s just a function of always staying here after a longhaul flight. Beds on the ground do seem much more comfortable when you get off an airplane, no matter how good the bedding on the plane is.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport room
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport chair
The desk was functional with several easily accessible outlets and good lighting.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport desk
The bathrooms at the Sheraton are very German, with one of those shower/tub combos with a glass shield.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport bathroom
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport shower
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport toilet
The toiletries were the Sheraton brand standard ones.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport toiletries
Outside the bathroom back near the entrance were the minibar and coffee machine.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport minibar
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport minibar
While the rooms are functional, the highlight of this hotel is the club lounge. It’s interesting in that it’s almost a totally separate “compound.” It’s located on the ninth floor, and as soon as you step out of the elevator you have to insert your key to even gain access to the floor.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club entrance
The club lounge is located to the right, and is both spacious and bright.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club
There’s plenty of seating, and even an outdoor patio, which was especially nice given that it was about 65 and sunny.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club patio
The lounge also has a small business center, not that there’s much of a need for them anymore in 2014.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club business center
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club view
This hotel probably has the second most impressive club lounge for a Sheraton anywhere, after the Sheraton Salzburg. They serve snacks and cocktails in the evenings from 6PM till 10:30PM (love how late that goes), with hot food on offer till 9PM (though in my experience they often leave it out after that as well).
Here’s the evening menu:
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
The spread really is impressive, between the hot options, goulash soup, salad, sandwiches, snacks, desserts, etc.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
There’s also a self serve bar.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club evening spread
One other cool feature of the hotel is that it has a club level gym. It’s very basic, but still a pretty cool feature if you just wanna hop on the treadmill for a bit.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club gym
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club gym
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport club gym
The hotel’s main gym is 24 hours, though is a surprising distance from the rooms. It’s one floor down from the lobby, and a long walk down a really smoky hallway.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport gym hallway
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport gym entrance
The gym itself was quite nice, though, so I worked out there instead of in the club gym.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport gym
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport gym
We had to leave the hotel shortly after 4AM, so the club lounge obviously wasn’t open yet. That being said, they had a coffee and croissant setup in the lobby, which was a nice touch.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport coffee in the lobby
Bottom line
As an SPG Platinum member I love the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport. It’s convenient, the renovated rooms are nice, and the club lounge is one of the best out there for a Sheraton. I’ve also stayed at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport, which is newer and also connected to the terminal, though a longer walk. While it’s more modern on the whole, the club lounge can’t compare, in my opinion.
When it comes to deciding whether to stay in the city or near the airport for a Frankfurt overnight, my general philosophy is that if my flight leaves early in the morning I’ll just stay near the airport, while if it leaves mid-morning or later I’ll stay in the city.
If you’re interested in staying in the city, I’ve reviewed the following hotels there:
Anyway, love the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport, and I’ll certainly be back!
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