What's it like? Celebrating its 10th anniversary in October, this semi-circular hotel provides first-class accommodation adjoining the exhibition centre and trade fair grounds. Only the lack of 24-hour room service prevents this hotel from being classified as five-star.
Where is it? The Maritim can be found northwest of the city centre, close to modern office buildings. Part of the hotel faces the long-established Marriott. It is also in the area where two new properties (Radisson SAS and Moevenpick) have recently opened. The location is convenient for the city's main station (Hauptbahnhof), which is 1km away, and the airport (11km). It's also 300 yards from the U-Bahn (Line 4) station serving the trade fair grounds. There's a tram stop across the road (lines 16 and 17) with frequent links to the Hauptbahnhof and other areas of the city.
How many rooms? 534 rooms (30-33sqm) in three different categories along with 24 suites which are divided in junior (43sqm), master (49sqm), and executive (80sqm) categories.
Room facilities One of the big selling points is the high quality of the rooms. All are well maintained, spotlessly clean and spacious with excellent sound insulation (both from outside and inside) and slam-proof doors, so a peaceful stay is more or less a certainty. Rooms have the expected facilities such as safes (you'll find a large safe is located within the desk) and tea and coffee-making facilities. Flat-screen TVs are being installed soon. One negative point is the large number of "tent" cards cluttering the desk. Rooms are classified as standard (lower floors) and comfort (upper floors). The sixth floor is given over to what are termed "VIP rooms", with amenities like bathrobes, slippers, mineral water and better toiletries. As this is the executive level there's the usual lounge where cooked or continental breakfast is served. Later in the day you'll find hot and cold snacks here, plus complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine.
Restaurants and bars The Maritim's Sushi Sho (Japanese) restaurant is reputed to serve some of the best sushi in town. There's the Classico restaurant for Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and a separate breakfast room. In the morning you'll find a comprehensive breakfast buffet complete with Arabic and Japanese items. In addition there's a popular cocktail bar.
Business and meeting facilities Wifi is available in the public areas and in rooms located on floors one, two, three and six. It's currently being extended to all the hotel's eight floors. There's a computer for VIP (executive level) guests' use on the sixth floor.
Leisure facilities On the eighth floor you'll find the leisure centre with a good-sized swimming pool, gym, sauna, solarium and steam room.
Verdict A good-quality hotel, well located for the airport and main train station and local public transport. Good value outside busy periods.
Prices Room rates fluctuate markedly. In August (an off-season month) you would pay €167 for standard, €187 for comfort and €240 for VIP rooms. However in September and October these same rates become €240, €260 and €312. Suites cost upwards of €372. At weekends the rates plummet. Expect to pay €107, €127 and €180 with suites priced from €253. Bear in mind, though, that when there's a trade fair or other major event then rooms may be more expensive or simply sold out.
Contact Maritim Frankfurt, Theodor-Heuss-Allee 3, 60486 Frankfurt/Main, tel +49 69 75 780, maritim.com.
Alex McWhirter
