Frankfurter Hof Steigenberger

A glance at the exterior of the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof tells you most of what you need to know about what it means to the city. This hotel, coming up on 150 years old, is as grand as ever, and standing as it does at the gateway to Frankfurt’s financial district it continues to play host to a substantial share of the city’s luxury customers. But anyone expecting a period piece — that is, a meticulously preserved 1876-style grand hotel to match the opulent, old-fashioned exterior — is in for a little bit of a surprise.

A subtle surprise, but a surprise all the same. The Steigenberger, underneath it all, is quite up to date, a contemporary luxury hotel that pays homage to its roots with antique furniture and ornately patterned wallpaper, but is, on the whole, a modern interpretation of the original era rather than a precise reconstruction. And alongside the expected high-end in-room amenities — Nespresso machines, marble baths, the works — you’ll find the full complement of luxury-hotel services, from a well-equipped spa and wellness center to the Michelin-starred (and self-explanatory) Restaurant Français, along with a small handful of other restaurants and bars.