BACKGROUND InterContinental is an upscale business brand by IHG. At the 2016 Business Traveller Awards, it won the titles of Best Business Hotel Chain in Europe and Best Business Hotel Chain Worldwide. It is the only InterContinental in Frankfurt and one of three in Germany — the other two are in Berlin and Dusseldorf.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The exterior of the building looks dated and tired. However, on getting out of my taxi, it was a grand welcome to the InterContinental in Frankfurt. The guard greeted me in a friendly manner. A long carpet leads you from the glass doors, down the spacious lobby to the lifts that take you up to the rooms. As you walk towards the end of the carpet, to the right is the reception desk where the staff help check you in. They’re quick and I was allotted a room within five minutes of the receptionist welcoming me. There are enough screens around the lobby that feed you information on offers and deals — they didn’t appeal to me much as most are beneficial to IHG Rewards Club members, the brand’s loyalty programme.

WHERE IS IT? InterContinental has a fantastic location. It overlooks River Main in the city centre, and is within proximity to most museums along the riverbanks. I had plenty of options to explore for dinner outside the hotel too. Frankfurt Airport is about 11km from the hotel.

ROOM FACILITIES I stayed in a Superior room (24 sqm). The ones on the lower floors have a river view and the higher floor rooms have a view of Frankfurt’s skyline. This is one up from the base category Classic rooms, but is similar in layout and size. As you enter, the bathroom door is to your left, opposite which is a narrow cupboard and luggage rack. Beside this, as if in continuation is the minibar, the work desk (already crowded with the table lamp, phone, kettle and cups), and the LCD television. A small coffee table and sofa chair are placed beside the window. The beds are comfortable with soft pillows and the bathrooms have biodegradable amenities by Agraria, an American brand.

All rooms and suites in the hotel have tea/coffee-making facilities, minibar, free water bottles, wifi (patchy in some places), work desk and bathtub with a shower. The iron and ironing board are available on request.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Signatures Veranda Restaurant serves “New German Cuisine”. Ingredients are sourced from farms in the Hessian region. This is also where the breakfast buffet and business lunch are served. Daxx Mainhattan’s Bar has a good selection of wines, cocktails and bar snacks, as well as “60 specialist whiskies”.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Apart from the ballroom that can accommodate 750 people, there are 18 flexible event spaces, which receive ample daylight. They have capacities from 30 to 150 delegates. Situated on the 21st floor, these rooms offer beautiful views of the city and River Main. The hotel can set up the event rooms with a projector, DVD player, plasma TV, microphone, video conferencing and teleconferencing facilities amongst others. There is also
a 24-hour business centre equipped with a printer, scanner and copy machine.

LEISURE FACILITIES There is no swimming pool or spa on the property, but the gym is well equipped with cardio and weight machines.

VERDICT Overall a comfortable stay with the basic amenities in place for a business traveller.

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in July started from €166/ ₹11,659 for a Superior room.

CONTACT InterContinental Frankfurt, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Str. 43, 60329 Frankfurt am Main; tel: +49 692 6050 intercontinental.com/frankfurt

Ravi Lalwani