A cool hotel in Frankfurt's red-light district
By Cindy-Lou Dale
 The Bristol Hotel, located near
the train station and a ten minutes walk from the shopping centre, was difficult
to find, even with the aide of a map – it's not listed on GPS. The reception
area is a trendy and tranquil chill zone with chunky designer seating in cowhide
upholstery in dues of mocca and sand. The sublte mood lighting in shades of
candy and ginger is somewhat refreshing too. At no added cost internet access is
available from three built-in consoles in the reception area.
This contemporary theme is carried through
to the 145 guest rooms, but brought up a notch by addding subtle caramel
lighting, havanna and stone striped carpets and buttercup-coloured leather
upholstered furnishings. But the designer detail falls short in the bathroom
which, although still hip, lacks
 space and a bath. It has a shower
closet designed in such a way as to soak the floor of the whole bathroom, and
offers nowhere within the shower cubicle to put the complimentary designer
cinnamon soap or Earth Factory glass bottles of toiletries. My room was spacious
and meticulously clean but not all guests are as lucky as I noted when I peaked
into a single room which was really tiny, with little room for you to change
your mind, let alone your clothes. Chargeable wireless LAN access is available
in the rooms, which also offers voice mail, a mini bar, a large fan (no
air-conditioning) and satellite television.
 There is a stylish bar on the ground floor
which has a provocative ambience about it with a selection of saucy posters and
devilish overpriced cocktails. During the summer months this spirit is
taken to the Bristol Summer Lounge – described in the local press as the most
beautiful summer courtyard garden in the city. Once a month DJs from around
Europe hit their music decks in the cocktail bar (or garden) and spin their
favourite labels to the small hours. This usually occurs on a Friday night.
Although parking is just across the road,
it's inconvenient to get to and has a rather interesting parking bay numbering
system.
 The Bristol Hotel is geared more for the
trendy business traveler and adults traveling in Europe. It's not localted in
the most congenial of surroundings (drugs are bought and sold in the
vicinity and it borders the red-light district), but its close to the station
which takes passengers on a 12-minute train ride directly to Frankfurt
International Airport.
Prices start at €85 and progresses to €218.
A good continental spread costs an additional €20.
As the home of continental Europe's largest
airport, biggest passenger train station and a major overland traffic
hub,  Frankfurt is easily commutable.
Bristol Hotel
Ludwigstrasse 15, 60327
Frankfurt, Germany
Tel +49 (0)69 242390
Fax +49 (0)69 251539
Photos and text by Cindy-Lou Dale
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