HOTELS
Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof
Am Kaiserplatz
49 (69) 21-502.
For sheer Old World splendour, the Frankfurter Hof cannot be beaten. This atmospheric hotel with large rooms and wood panelling is bang in the middle of the banking sector but also close to many of Frankfurt's attractions, including the old opera house and the museums along the riverbank. Rates $275-$320.
Hotel Villa Orange
Hebelstrasse 1. 49 (69) 405-840.
This turn-of-the-century villa was only recently converted into a small but comfortable hotel. It's a short walk from the centre of town but well worth it if you're looking for a hotel with charm and character. Close to Bergerstrasse, where pubs, restaurants and boutiques attract a young, trendy crowd. Rates $85-$115.
Hilton Frankfurt Hochstrasse 4
49 (69) 133-8000,
(800) 774-1500. http://www.hilton.com
The pride of this airy, spacious Hilton is its swimming pool, an architecturally protected site that the hotel renovated and incorporated into its fitness centre. Views from the restaurant look out over the pool's former gardens. Centrally located. Rates $195-$285.
RESTAURANTS
Die Leiter Kaiserhofstrasse 1.
49 (69) 292-121. Lunch, Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
The Austrian chef at this restaurant describes his dishes as "new German with French influences and some Italian." Contemporary yet cozy, it's a good place for a business dinner. Also serves lunches.
Grössenwahn Lenaustrasse 97 49 (69) 599-356.
Dinner Mon.-Sun. $
For modern German cuisine in an easygoing setting, this restaurant (whose name means "megalomaniac") is an artsy, relaxed alternative to the downtown scene. A 10-minute cab ride from the centre, it serves unusual combinations of seasonal foods at very reasonable prices, with an emphasis on game in autumn.
Pronto Liebigstrasse 17
49 (69) 173-808. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner Mon.-Fri., Sun. $
This lively, very reasonable pizzeria run by Israelis is in Frankfurt's west-end financial district. During the summer patrons sit outside eating pasta and salad, or one of the restaurant's famous pizzas.
AFTER DARK
Die Rote Bar Mainkai 7
49 (69) 293-533.
This trendy all-night bar is a favourite with Frankfurt's young banking crowd. It is, however, notoriously difficult to find. Situated in a row of houses along the river, it is indicated only by a tiny red sign.
Schirn Café Römeberg 6A
49 (69) 291-732.
Attached to the Schirn Art Gallery, this is one of Frankfurt's hippest spots. The terrace overlooks a cathedral, and the Spanish-designed interior of the café sports a 40-metre-long bar and tapas counter. Live jazz bands play regularly.
FREE TIME
A Stroll Along the River Main
This river cuts Frankfurt in two. Cross any of the footbridges that link the centre of town with its southern half and head toward the Sachsenhausen district, with its floating cafés, biergartens and riverside bars all serving locally produced apple wine.
Schaumainkai South bank of the River Main. Closed Mondays.
If you fancy a museum but are not sure which one to take in, walk through the Schaumainkai area, more popularly known as Museumsufer, and take your pick from seven museums ranging from the German Film Museum to the Städel Art Institute and Municipal Gallery. Very much the star among Frankfurt's museums, the Städel houses a wide collection of masters dating from medieval times to the present day.
Goethestrasse
Just off the Zeil (a pedestrian shopping zone in the centre of town with all of Germany's leading retail stores) is Goethestrasse, a small, picturesque street lined with high-end German and European designer shops.