Villa Kennedy

The property, centering around a courtyard and white stone villa built in 1904, was designed as the family home of a banker and renamed after President Kennedy’s visit in 1963; it is part of a group of boutique luxury hotels in Europe. The interior is a strikingly attractive mix of historic architecture — including the hallway cloisters around the central courtyard, grand wood staircases, and vaulted ceilings — with completely renovated interior design that incorporates black-and-white photographs of cinema stars, mid-century semicircular leather ottomans, recessed LED lighting, and brushed-chrome surfaces. The lofty spa pool, with its high ceilings and white walls, has horizontal, blonde wood paneling along one wall for a very modern feel. Guests, typically a mix of business and leisure travelers, relax in the elegant courtyard garden or gather in the Gusto Restaurant or JFK Bar — each with wood floors, leather furnishings, pops of color set against sophisticated earth tones, and oversized paintings with Renaissance-style scenes.

The hotel is situated in a residential area in the Sachsenhausen-Nord district, just south of the Main River. The Stresemannallee S-Bahn rail station is about a six-minute walk from the hotel, and provides direct access to the downtown area that includes the Römerberg and the Alte Oper in about 20 minutes. The airport is about a 10- to 15-minute drive, or a half-hour on public transportation with a transfer. There is little in the immediate vicinity of the hotel apart from other houses, though the Städel museum is a 10- to 15-minute stroll.

Rooms are bright and airy, with unfussy yet stylish decor that includes white walls, black-and-white contemporary photography, striped throws in acidic colors, and jute-covered headboards and couches. Many overlook the courtyard, and the recessed ceiling and closet lighting, along with reading lamps and bedside table lights ensure a well-lit, cozy atmosphere. Standing floor lamps with linen shades, and olive-colored leather chairs harken to the '60s in visual terms. Each room has a large flat-screen TV with interactive features, and an iPod docking station; other standard features include a snack bar, fully stocked minibar, and safe. The large bathrooms offer luxury toiletries and bathrobes, as well as heated tile floors, soaking tubs, and separate, glassed-in walk-in showers with chrome fixtures. Suites have separate living areas, and some include breakfast and an extensive bar selection for free.

The on-site Gusto restaurant receives fairly good reviews, though most guests can agree the food is on the pricey side. The JFK Bar has some light, Mediterranean bar snacks along with an extensive cocktail list. There is a beautiful full-service spa with a number of body and beauty treatment options, as well as a pilates and yoga studio. The spa's indoor pool has high ceilings, a handsome wood-paneled wall, an adjacent hot tub, and a nearby steam room. A fitness center offers cardio and weight equipment. There is a small amount of meeting space on the property.