Luxor

The sign outside the Luxor Hotel reads, “The friendly hotel,” and it’s not false advertising. With its convenient location, über-friendly multilingual staff and affordable rates, the popular three-star property makes a fantastic Frankfurt home base.

The Luxor Hotel’s 46 rooms are colorful (to say the least), with a touch of mod. Walls are painted bright orange, with space-age-y yellow headboards and utilitarian wardrobes and chairs. All rooms are outfitted with a telephone, minibar, safe and mounted flat-screen TV. We advise requesting a room at the back, since the Luxor faces a noisy major street.

The private bathrooms are decently sized and tiled in white. They come equipped with bathtubs, but we felt that the threadbare IKEA mats and stained grout undermined that luxury.

To be sure, the Luxor Hotel is a simple affair, but it stands out for its exceedingly friendly—and linguistically talented—staff. “Everyone who works the reception speaks at least five languages,” one receptionist told us. (The proprietor, Mr. Goldman, speaks 10.)

The hotel is located on the outer edge of Old Town, almost in residential Ostend. Pets and children under 12 stay for free, and parking is affordable (€6 per night). Rates are generally low, but skyrocket when there is a trade fair in town. Since the Hotel Luxor fills up quickly throughout the year, it’s advisable to book well in advance.

Breakfast is included in the room rate. There is an additional charge for Wi-Fi and the Internet station. Note that smoking is allowed in the lobby and some of the rooms, so you may be greeted with a waft of smoke when you enter the building.