Introduction
Almost every seasoned business traveller will have visited Frankfurt many, many times. This city is geared almost exclusively for the corporate visitor, and the choice can be overwhelming while the quality is certainly not consistent.
To help you pick the best options for navigating your business agenda in the city, I’ve collated a few highlights.
Getting to Frankfurt
As a major European business centre, transport to Frankfurt is frequent and efficient. Flight time from London is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes and airlines serve the 2 main airports Frankfurt am Main and Frankfurt Hahn. Public transport runs with German efficiency, but in my opinion a private airport shuttle arranged in advance is the most efficient and cost effective way to get to your meetings on time after you land.
I’ve never had any issues with flight times to Frankfurt. There are 3 airlines that provide direct flights that run throughout the day with the frequency of a bus timetable: Ryanair, BA and Lufthansa – so you have a large number of options that will get you there at the start of the business day.
Airport Amenities
WiFi: You don’t have to worry overly about killing time at Frankfurt Airport. Since 2014 the complimentary WiFi has been extended to provide 24-hour free access in the departure lounges.
Log in via the Deutsche Telekom Hotspot at any of the 300+ access points throughout the airport to get your WiFi service.
Yoga Rooms: It’s not my thing, but many colleagues have waxed lyrical about unwinding in the 24-hour Yoga Rooms in Frankfurt Airport. The rooms with their mats, cushions, music and instructional videos offer a perfect antidote to those hectic, stressful conference days.
You can find them in Terminal 1 just past the security points for gates C14 and C16, or in Terminal 2 near D1 to D4.
My Favourite Frankfurt Business Hotel
Capri by Fraser would not only be my first choice hotel for attending a trade fair in Frankfurt, but I’d also recommend it as a stylish and impressive site to host your own business event. The Pow Wow Meeting facilities are superb – including a 60” LCD TV and LCD projector, quality soundproofing, complimentary printing and catering options.
If you’re looking for accommodation only during your stay in Frankfurt then the Capri by Fraser offers something a little different with its focus on spaces for social interaction. I’ve found it incredibly handy to entertain clients in the chic Drinx Bar or just to luxuriate in the lush working spaces in the Executive Suites and the 24-hour Business Centre.
If, after a long day of meetings, you don’t feel like venturing out for a meal then you won’t go without good food in this hotel. The casual onsite restaurant Caprilicious or the excellent 24-hour room service will provide you with any meals you need, and from my experience you won’t be disappointed.
A Couple Others….
Grand Hotel Hessischer Hof is certainly not a shabby alternative. I love the Concierge chat function on the website which makes the whole experience easy and stress-free even before you arrive. The fresh fruit platter and water that greets a guest as they enter their room are welcome gestures at the end of a highly charged day of meetings or long travel, and there is no charge for the minibar items!
Rooms have a separate sitting area that can be used for meetings; lighting is excellent for working; desk chairs are comfortable and the WiFi speeds are fast.
Element Frankfurt Hotel, opened in 2014, is an interesting alternative to the typical business hotel and I have certainly found its approach refreshing. Situated in the heart of Frankfurt’s Airport City, it has 133 studios and suites that provide guests with a home from home. Each studio has a fully equipped kitchen; the WiFi is free throughout the building; and the ergonomic desks are perfect for late night emails.
If you are stopping over at the airport on your way elsewhere, the Element Frankfurt Hotel can give you a day rate so you can get some sleep and have a shower before starting the next leg of your journey.
Wining & Dining Your Clients
When I need to impress a client over a meal in Frankfurt, I always book a table at the Alter Haferkasten. The location is ideal – a short pre-booked shuttle or taxi ride from the airport. You’ll be offering your clients a superior experience, from dishes that the chef will personally recommend to your table to a renowned wine list.
Time to spare….
If I have time to kill between meetings or before my flight in Frankfurt then I often head over to the shopping district on Goethestrasse. If you haven’t already done so, or assuming you haven’t overloaded yourself with designer purchases, then a visit to the Stock Exchange (a few minutes away on foot) has much to recommend it. Here you’ll see the iconic bear and bull statues.
All you have to do afterwards is throw your bags and suitcase into your airport shuttle and head back to catch your flight.
On one visit when I had a little longer to spare and wanted to try something a little different, I took the 20-minute pre-booked taxi ride to Lohrberg where I found myself in the middle of a rural idyll with stunning views of Frankfurt and a functioning vineyard where I sampled some renowned German wines before heading back to the hotel and a client dinner.
Frankfurt is bound to be on your itinerary if you travel for business on a regular basis, and it has evolved to be a city that caters to the needs of its corporate visitors with a high standard of quality and a wide range of choice.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct provides airport transfer services to all the main business centres in Europe. We provide private car hire ranging from Standard to Executive and Premium services. All cars are discrete, unbranded vehicles. Our chauffeurs are smartly dressed, experienced and courteous, ensuring that you have a first class experience en route to your meeting or conference.
