Novum Hotel Continental Frankfurt

The Hotel Continental appeals to budget-minded travelers who want an affordable respite right by the main train station nowadays. But when it first opened its doors in 1890, it catered primarily to wealthy families and business travelers. Much of the hotel was destroyed during WWII, and the only remains of the original building is a wall in the basement. The rebuilt hotel reopened in July of 1952 and has been in operation ever since. 

The old-world charm of the original hotel has been revived in the cozy lobby, where there’s a lovely art deco staircase, white tile floors, historical photos, a modern elevator, and red lounge furniture arranged near street-facing windows. Some furnishings, however, appear worn. Reddish-brown wooden paneled walls and ceiling designs create a warm atmosphere. The same charming, wooden-paneled ceiling designs are in the breakfast room, accessible via a glass door near the front desk. The room features white tile floors, white chairs, and a buffet, as well as large windows that provide a lot of natural light.

The hotel is located right across from the main train station (Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof), in an area with lots of restaurants and bars as well as a supermarket and a Starbucks. MyZeil shopping center is an eight-minute ride on the S-Bahn or 20 minutes on foot. The Stadel, Liebieghaus, and other riverside museums take just over 10 minutes to reach on foot. The Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) is an 18-minute walk away. The Frankfurt Airport is about 15 minutes away by car or public transportation. 

The hotel offers Single, Double, and Twin Rooms along with a Triple. Classic dark wood furniture, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi come standard in all rooms, but the lack of wall decor makes rooms feel bare. Standard bathrooms have heaters and showers or shower/tub combos with all-in-one toiletries. Windows or narrow balconies with glass doors overlook the city or other buildings. Double Rooms provide sofa beds and dressing areas, but some have two single mattresses pushed together rather than a single double bed. The Triple Room has separate bedrooms with three twin beds, and also has a mini-fridge. Air-conditioning is available in some rooms for a fee. Guests are required to leave their room keys at the front desk when they aren't at the hotel. Past guests have noted that some rooms smell of lingering cigarette smoke. 

The lobby's lounge area has red velvet chairs, a flat-screen TV, and a small table with free Nespresso coffee and tea. There's also a workstation with a PC computer in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. A breakfast buffet is available in an adjacent room (for a small fee). Although the Continental lacks business facilities, the adjacent Hotel National Frankfurt offers three meeting rooms that can fit up to 40 people.