Is Frankfurt really that awful?

Although I am sure some people will write in with their favorite places to stay in Frankfurt, I have always preferred Mainz. There are three hotels (Schottenhof, Königshof, and Hammer) in Mainz right across the Bahnhof plaza. Although I have stayed in Schottenhof twice, the last time, as I passed Königshof, I thought it looked better, and I will stay there the next time. It is slightly closer and seems to have better rates. (www.hotel-koenigshof-mainz.de). The S-bahn to the airport runs every half hour, at 0:02 and 0:32 past, and costs €3,35.

Mainz is a little farther from Frankfurt (30 min by S-bahn vs 15), but I like the neighborhood better.

If your flight is leaving late in the morning or in the afternoon, consider staying on the middle Rhein (Bacharach, St. Goar, or Boppard). It takes 1 to 2 hours to get to the airport, but rates are lower and the surroundings are more amenable and definitely more German. It's almost like extending your vacation one more night.

I wouldn't say that Frankfurt is awful. It just doesn't have much to offer tourists. I've stayed at the Turm Hotel in Frankfurt and have been very happy with it, www.turmhotel-fra.de. As far as things to see, I found the Palm Garden to be enjoyable. It's like a miniature Kew Gardens in London. http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=317578&_myvars[_id_listenartikel]=177717

My girlfriend and I spent a month mostly in eastern Europe. The cheap flight from the US arrived in Frankfurt on a Sunday. We were only there for a day as we planned on leaving on EasyJet from Frankfurt-Hahn (about 90 min from Frankfurt actually) to Krakow the next morning. Anyhow, we wandered around Frankfurt on that Sunday morning in February. For a stodgy, European Central Bank HQ on a Sunday, there were random colorful people about (literally and figuratively) and their numbers grew as the day went on. Turns out Frankfurt was celebrating Carnival and there was a big parade in the afternoon! Plenty of currywurst and strudel to be had too! Good choice for a one day stopover!

My assessment of Frankfurt? Cleaner than nearly every US city (it resembles a US city more than any other in Europe), but devoid of must-see attractions for tourists. Still, it is pleasant enough for a casual stroll and some people watching.

Frankfurt am Main. AKA Main-hattan.

If you are arriving at Frankfurt Airport and need to spend one night at a reasonably priced, clean hotel then I would recommend the small town of Kelsterbach, which is very near to the airport. The Astron Hotel in Kelsterbach is clean and affordable. They have a free mini bus that will take you from the airport to the hotel and back and if the weather is fine you can take a walk through the town and stroll along the river, or walk into the woods or just rest up in a beirgarten. It's not spectacular but it's a pleasant little place, ideal for a 24 hour layover.

We stayed at the Kempinski Hotel several years ago in a fabulous room with a terrific restaurant and great service. If you're lucky enough to be there on a weekend, it's alot of 5* luxury for a great price. I especially liked all the English language on the menu and in the staff. It was lovely and relaxing to stop struggling with the language thing after several weeks and order exactly what we wanted for dinner! What a wuss, huh?

Thanks for all of the interesting/helpful replies to my question... We're making the best of our necessary overnight in the area with a stay in Mainz. Danke!

I guess I'm the only Frankfurt fan out there. Memories of an old Army Brat never die... plus my Mom was born there. I like to stay across the river in Sachsenhausen at a small residential area Hotel Maingau.(www.maingau.de)Approx. 100Eu for 2ppl with a great breakfast and really a friendly helpful staff. It's within walking distance of all the great Sachsenhausen resturants....best place to drink Apelwein! The hotel is also a short walk to the pedestrian bridge (Eiserner Steg )crossing the Main to the Roemerberg, Fressgasse(Gourmet Street), Hauptwache, Opera and a lot more. I stay clear of the railroad station and the "new" Frankfurt or "Main-hatten"..stick with the old and I think you'll like it.

We are back from our trip and had a room at Hotel Schottenhof our last night in Europe (Konigshoff was full). The location was great -- a quick walk from the Bahnhof -- and it was quite satisfactory. We walked to the old town and found very good food and wine at Weinhaus Michal. Our room at Hotel Schottenhof was small, but we enjoyed the breakfast and the location was perfect for us. If we fly into/out of Frankfurt again, we will try some of the other suggestions offered.

Frankfurt is not awful. It is very modern since most of it had to be rebuilt aftere the war. If you are looking for traditional Alstadts, the have a nice small one. I agree, though that if your looking for more traditional architecture then Mainz is for you.