Offenbach's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Frankfurt Access!)
Offenbach's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Frankfurt Access!)
Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt - Offenbach: More Than Just a Bed (Maybe)
Okay, so I just got back from a trip and crashed at the Holiday Inn Express in Frankfurt (Offenbach, to be precise). Here's the lowdown, the messy truth, the good, the bad, and the utterly meh… all with a side of my chaotic brain trying to process it. Buckle up, buttercups.
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- Keywords: Holiday Inn Express, Frankfurt, Offenbach, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Free Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Fitness Center, Best Hotels Frankfurt, Budget Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Near Frankfurt Airport.
- Description: Honest and detailed review of the Holiday Inn Express in Offenbach, Germany. Discover the pros and cons, from accessibility and cleanliness to breakfast buffets and surprisingly decent Wi-Fi! Is it the BEST hotel? Let's find out!
First Impressions & The Great Accessibility Saga (or Lack Thereof):
Alright, landing in Frankfurt, I was tired of travel. The whole "getting there" process is always a saga, but this was particularly brutal. The promised "airport transfer" felt… underwhelming. More like a slightly-less-expensive taxi. But hey, I got there.
Now, accessibility is where things started to wobble slightly. Listed as "Facilities for disabled guests", which is a bare minimum, right? But the website mentioned accessible rooms, which is essential when you're travelling with a mobility issue. The actual experience? Well, let's just say it would have been much better with a confirmed roll-in shower. My room? Not perfect. The ramp up to the front entrance was a little steep! That's already a warning bell. I need a wheelchair accessible entrance.
The Room: A Modern Box, Mostly Okay.
The room itself? Clean, I'll give it that. Cleanliness and safety, yes! They're clearly on top of it, with Anti-viral cleaning products and all the standard stuff - the Rooms sanitized between stays thing is a relief amid the post-pandemic world. I was grateful for the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Absolutely essential for a work trip. The Internet access was pretty solid, though I didn't bother with Internet [LAN]. Who uses those anymore? Everything in the room was pretty standard. Air conditioning was a godsend against the Frankfurt summer. Desk, check. Coffee/tea maker, double-check. The Blackout curtains were glorious for sleeping off the jet lag. The Free bottled water was a thoughtful touch. I appreciated the thought, it was a nice touch. I was also grateful for the Smoke detector and Fire extinguisher – comfort is key, right?. They provided the basics like Linens, and Towels.
Okay, what wasn't ideal? Well, the "view" was of another building. And the bathroom, while functional, felt a little…sterile. The Shower was just okay. And I missed the Bathtub.
Food, Glorious (and Sometimes Questionable) Food:
Breakfast. Ah, the holy grail of hotel stays. It's a make-or-break element for me. The Breakfast-Buffett. It's their Breakfast [buffet]! It's what they do well. They did have Breakfast takeaway service. Though that's only necessary if you're in a hurry, and who is? I'd rather be at my leisure. The Asian breakfast was intriguing, the Western breakfast was as expected. Coffee/tea in restaurant (the usual) and Snack bar if you needed a quick bite. They had Breakfast service. But frankly. the scrambled eggs were, let's say, optimistic. The coffee was decent--at least. I did see they do A la carte in restaurant if you wanted something different, but no way I was paying extra. They had a Desserts in restaurant, but I didn't try any.
They do have Restaurants. The Bar, I was grateful for, and the Poolside bar, maybe later? I might've indulged in the Bottle of water for a quick drink! Also, they had a Room service [24-hour] if you needed a quick bite!
Relaxation & All That Jazz (Or Lack Thereof):
Okay, the "Relaxation" options at this Holiday Inn Express? Let's just say if you're looking for a full-blown spa experience, this ain't it. They had a Fitness center… which I did not visit. I'm not a gym person on vacation. The Sauna wasn't so bad, but it wasn't spa-level fancy. I needed a Massage, but I was stuck in the hotel.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Protected (Mostly):
I felt safe. Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff wearing masks… it felt like they're taking things seriously. The Staff trained in safety protocol. They did have the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and the Safe dining setup made me feel secure. The Room sanitization opt-out available, if you do not need it, and Rooms sanitized between stays is a huge plus.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or Don't):
The 24-hour Front desk was helpful with this, though I was never given a Concierge. They had a Daily housekeeping which was nice. Quick Laundry service; and an Ironing service which, yes! Luggage storage was useful, though nothing revolutionary. The Elevator was critical. They did have Facilities for disabled guests, which I need to check out and see if it applies to me. Invoice provided makes life easier. Cash withdrawal in the hotel is good, but Currency Exchange would be great. The Gift/souvenir shop didn't interest me.
Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls:
Look. The Holiday Inn Express isn't in the center of Frankfurt. Which meant a short train ride or taxi to the city. The Taxi Service was always an option. As for "things to do" at the hotel… not a lot. There were a couple of Meeting/banquet facilities. But mostly, it's a place to sleep and refuel. I didn't get to Car park [free of charge], but others might have liked that.
For the Kids: Family Focus?
I didn't have kids with me, but I saw some families. The Family/child friendly rating seems legit.
Getting Around:
The Airport transfer felt more like a taxi than a luxury service but was much appreciated.
Internet & Tech Stuff:
Free Wi-Fi – a must these days, and it worked. The Laptop workspace was all I needed.
In Conclusion: The Verdict
So, is the Holiday Inn Express in Offenbach the best hotel in Frankfurt? No. But it's perfectly functional. It’s clean, safe (mostly), and the free Wi-Fi is a lifesaver. Consider this a solid choice for a budget-friendly stay.
For the price, it's a decent deal. I recommend it, if you're not looking for luxury!
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (with a slight fudge factor for the coffee).
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your pristine travel guide. This is ME in Offenbach, Germany, at the Holiday Inn Express, battling jet lag, questionable sausages, and the existential dread that comes with staring at a hotel room mirror at 3 AM. Here goes… prepare for chaos.
Day 1: Arrival & Instant Regret (Kinda)
- 5:00 AM (ish) - Frankfurt Airport: The Hellscape Begins. Ugh. Landed. The plane was a stuffy metal tube of recycled air and crying babies. Note to self: noise-canceling headphones are not optional. They're LIFE. Taxi to the hotel… and the driver was absolutely, unbelievably, silently judging my luggage. Pretty sure the German word for “overpacker” is probably directed at me right now.
- 6:00 AM - Check-in at Holiday Inn Express Offenbach: Bless their hearts, the front desk staff look like they've been up since I'd finished my first (unhealthy) flight meal. I’m pretty sure I reek of airplane snacks (Pretzels. Always pretzels). My room… well, it’s clean, blessedly clean. It's all crisp linens, sterile surfaces, and the faint, lingering scent of air freshener trying desperately to cover up the ghost of a previous guest's bad choices.
- 6:30 AM - Room Reconnaissance & Existential Crisis: Ok. Bed's comfy. View of… a parking lot. Fantastic. Let's be honest, I just want to crawl back under the covers and not. Coffee time. They have the little plastic-wrapped pastries. Am I supposed to eat them? They look sad. But the coffee is, surprisingly, good. Maybe this won't be so terrible.
- 8:00 AM - False Start: Attempted City Exploration. I am, let's be honest, running on fumes. Grabbed a map. Got lost. Immediately. The cobbled streets are beautiful and treacherous in equal measure, twisting and turning as though the city itself is playing a cruel game. I felt like I could walk into a medieval drama at any given moment. And I'm a mess.
- 9:00 AM - Retreat & Regret: Forced myself to walk into a little pastry shop (because, carbs). It was amazing. The pastry and coffee were delicious, and I probably could have stood there all day. But I'm still exhausted and the jetlag is kicking my butt, so I walked back to the hotel.
- 10:00 AM - Naptime!: Slept for… well, I’m not sure how long. Woke up disoriented, with a head full of confusing dreams involving talking squirrels and a rogue sausage roll. Success, I suppose. (I think the sausage roll was a sign, though).
- 1:00 PM - Unplanned Lunch Adventure: Stumbled into a "Bistro" down the street. Ordered a "Wurst" - because, Germany. It's a sausage, alright. A substantial sausage. Slightly overcooked. Accompanied by sauerkraut that made my nose wrinkle. I'm eating it, though. Gotta experience the culture, right? (Also, I'm hungry.) And the local beer? Delicious, even from a can.
- 2:00 PM - Offenbach Exploration, Take 2 (Slightly Less Disastrous): Okay, the afternoon sunlight is lovely. I took a walk down the river again, feeling slightly less like I was going to spontaneously combust. Found a neat little park. Took some pictures. For once, I actually felt like a tourist, not just a wandering, hungry ghost.
- 5:00 PM - Errands & Errands: I needed to buy some basic supplies and also a charger for my phone, which was about to die. The shopping area was busy, and I’m pretty sure everyone was speaking German at warp speed. I muddled through it. Bought a phone charger. Success!
- 7:00 PM - Dinner Panic & Restaurant Roulette: The hotel restaurant is closed. I have no idea where to eat. Wandered for an hour. Found a place, finally – it's all very… traditional. They have a menu entirely in German apart from a few random English phrases. I pointed and hoped for the best.
- 8:00 PM - Food! Ordered a Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle). It arrived looking monstrous but it's amazing! Perfectly paired with the local beer. Stuffed and happy, I finally feel like I'm in Germany.
- 9:00 PM - Evening Stroll & Realization: Walking back to the hotel, enjoying the cool evening air. This city… it's starting to grow on me. The buildings are beautiful, the air smells clean, and even if I have no idea what's going on, I am, at least, breathing. I think.
- 10:00 PM - Melatonin & The Great Google Translate Conundrum: One last attempt to fight jet lag, and I'm finally ready to sleep. This is gonna be a long trip… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Day 2: Immersed & Slightly Overwhelmed
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel: Breakfast is included. (Thank God). It’s the standard continental fare, but the bread is surprisingly good. I'm still not sure about those little pastries, though…
- 8:00 AM - Offenbach Tour Begins: This time, I'm actually armed with a plan. Tried wandering the old town and the market place without getting completely lost. The sights – the historic buildings, the bustling market… it's incredible. Buying vegetables.
- 9:00 AM - Museums & History: Went to the local historical museum. Did not quite understand everything, but it was amazing to see the city's past.
- 10:00 AM - Coffee Break & People Watching: Found a cute café next to a park. Best damn coffee ever. Sat there, watching the world go by, people smiling. It was a perfect moment.
- 12:00 PM - Pretzels & Perfection: Back at the market. Bought a pretzel. It’s warm and salty and… heaven.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & Language Barriers: The lunch was great. The language barrier, not so much.
- 2:00 PM - Shopping & Charm: Wandered around, enjoying the city's charm. The architecture is beautiful. I am so enchanted by this place.
- 4:00 PM - Relaxation & Perspective: Back to the hotel, to unpack my bags.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: I found the restaurant, which was amazing. The local food is the best. Ate till I can't move.
- 7:00 PM - Relaxation & Perspective: Reflecting on the day, feeling a growing connection to this unique place, and the people.
- 9:00 PM - Late Night: Wrote in my journal.
Day 3: Frankfurt Day Trip & Existential Questions
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast: More of the same, but I actually want the pastries now. Stockholm Syndrome, maybe?
- 8:00 AM - Travel to Frankfurt: A train ride to Frankfurt. I think. Maybe?
- 9:00 AM - Frankfurt Exploration, the First Attempt: The city itself is overwhelming. High-rise buildings, busy streets, and more people than I've seen in my life.
- 10:00 AM - Römerberg Square & the Tourist Hustle: I am in all of the touristy sites. The Römerberg Square is beautiful, even with the hoards of other tourists.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch & Sausage Regret (Again): Frankfurt sausage. Regret. Oh god.
- 1:00 PM - Museums & Culture Shock (Again): I'm exhausted. Back to my hotel.
- 2:00 PM - Frankfurt, Take Two: Tried to find a quieter spot in the city. More success.
- 3:00 PM - Reflection & Perspective: I feel like I'm starting to get a grip on this place and the people.
- 5:00 PM - Return to Offenbach: The train ride back to Offenbach.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner, Alone with My Thoughts: In the hotel restaurant. I'm tired, I'm a bit lonely, and I'm starting to question all my life choices.
- 8:00 PM - Writing Notes: The food was good, though.
- 9:00 PM - Late Night: Time to rest.
Day 4: Departure
- 7:00 AM - Last Breakfast (Pastries Included, with Actual Enjoyment): I've officially embraced the hotel breakfast.
- 8:00 AM - Final Walk Around Offenbach: One last stroll, savoring the sights and sounds.
- 9:00 AM - Packing & Departure: The inevitable moment.
- **10:00 AM
Holiday Inn Express Offenbach: The Unofficial Survival Guide (Because Let's Be Honest, You Need One)
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is This Place REALLY Close to Frankfurt? Because that's the whole selling point, right?
Alright, fine, I'll be brutally honest. "Frankfurt Access!" is plastered everywhere, and it's... mostly true. You're not exactly stumbling distance, like, "Oh, look, the Frankfurt skyline!" But the train station (Offenbach Ost) is a very manageable walk. And that train? Bangs you into the heart of Frankfurt in, what, fifteen-ish minutes? Look, I've spent *hours* on trains in Europe, so that's practically a teleportation device in my book. One time, I was so knackered after a day of museum-hopping, I practically *dreamed* of that train ride back. Pure bliss. Just… don't expect to wake up and *see* the skyscrapers from your window. You're in Offenbach, baby! And Offenbach has its *own* quirky charm (more on that later).
Breakfast! The Make-or-Break Moment. Tell me EVERYTHING. Is it that "free breakfast" that actually *works*?
Ah, breakfast. The existential question of every hotel stay. Let's be clear: it's a Holiday Inn Express. Don't expect gourmet Michelin-star cuisine. But! Yes! It's a functional breakfast. They have the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (sometimes a bit… rubbery), sausages (surprisingly decent), those pre-packaged pastries (meh, but *necessary* when you're running on fumes), cereal (your kids will be thrilled), and a coffee machine that dispenses a surprisingly passable cup of joe. The *real* win is the juice. That orange juice? Chug it. Seriously. I’ve had to fight off other guests for the last of the orange juice more than once. My inner child *lives* for that stuff.
The one time I went to breakfast around 9:30 am, it was a *madhouse*. Like, a genuine battle for a table. Pro tip: go early. Or be prepared to do some assertive (but polite!) table-hogging.
Is the Wi-Fi a Joke? Because slow Wi-Fi is a dealbreaker in the 21st century.
Okay, let's address this one with the seriousness it deserves: reliable Wi-Fi is a *necessity*. And thankfully, this place mostly delivers. It's not lightning-fast, mind you. Streaming HD movies might require some patience. But for checking emails, video calls, and generally staying connected, it's pretty solid. I remember one time, I had a *crucial* video call with my boss (panic sweat activated!), and the Wi-Fi held up. Saved my career, practically! So, yeah, Wi-Fi: thumbs up. Mostly. Depends on the day, but it's usually alright. Just don't expect to upload a terabyte of data in a heartbeat. You're on holiday, take a breath!
The Rooms! Are they… clean? Because I *need* clean. And quiet. Please, sweet baby Jesus, let them be quiet.
Clean? Yes! They are, generally, clean. It's a Holiday Inn Express; they know the drill. The beds are comfortable enough. Nothing fancy, but you're not sinking into a feather cloud (thankfully, for my allergies). The bathroom? Small, but functional. Everything is there, neatly organized. Now... the quiet... that, my friend, is a gamble. Honestly, sometimes it's eerily silent. Other times… Ugh. Sometimes you can hear the street noise (especially if you're facing the road), or, let's be honest, the neighboring rooms. People can be… enthusiastic. Earplugs are your friend. Bring them. Or download a white noise app. You have been warned. Last time I was there, I could hear someone's television until 2 am. I wanted to bang on the wall, but I am generally too polite.
About Offenbach… Don't lie to me. Is it *actually* worth exploring, or just a convenient train stop?
Alright, here's the brutally honest truth about Offenbach. It's… not Frankfurt. It doesn’t have the grand scale of some European cities, and it doesn’t have the *glitz*. BUT! It has charm. A weird, slightly off-kilter, *own* kind of charm. There’s a certain… *reality* to Offenbach that I kinda like. It's more diverse, more… *lived-in* compared to some of the shinier cities,. You can find some great little restaurants, some decent shops. The people are friendly, generally. It's not a tourist trap. It's… real. Take a walk around, explore a little. Don’t write it off! But don't expect to be blown away either. Expect… maybe, a pleasant surprise?
Let's talk about the elevator. Are the elevators a disaster?
Elevators. The bane of every hotel guest's existence. It's a standard hotel elevator. It’ll get you up and down. It's not *super* fast, and occasionally I've had to wait. On one occasion, it stopped between floors for a few minutes - I panicked! I was claustrophobic! A kindly older German gentleman, in his pajamas, calmed me down (I may have been hyperventilating). After that, I always took the stairs. I lost some time, but I got my cardio in!
What about the staff? Are they actually helpful and nice?
The staff? Generally, yes! They are generally helpful and nice. I've had a few interactions over the years, and my experience is pretty positive. They speak English (thank heavens!) and they are usually willing to help you with whatever you need. They also seemed genuinely amused by my terrible German.
Okay, Final Verdict: Should I Stay Here?
Look, if you want a reasonably priced hotel with easy access to Frankfurt, a hot-ish breakfast, dependable wifi, and a (mostly) clean room, then yes. Stay here. It's functional. It's convenient. It probably won't blow your mind, but it will get the job done. Just pack earplugs. And embrace Offenbach's weird charm. You might even enjoy it. I did... eventually. After the first time I stayed and needed a long, *long* nap.
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