Element Frankfurt Airport: can do better

A business trip led me to take up residence at Frankfurt International Airport for 48 hours. Having in mind the excellent memory of the Element Amsterdam me when I discovered the chain, I opted without hesitation for its little German brother.

Let’s remember the concept of Element: they are small studios with kitchen space, therefore designed for “long stays” (therefore with lower prices) but also offering all the normal services of a hotel. It is in a way the “young” and affordable variation of Westin.

As usual I made my reservation from the SPG application. Celle si s’est déroulée sans encombre comme à l’accoutumée.

A hotel a little far from the airport

Airport areas are usually big. Some hotels are more or less close to the terminal…the Element Frankfurt is one of those that are further away than the others. After arriving at the beginning of the evening and having spent a little time to evaluate the various options I decided to take a cab for lack of clear data on possible shuttles or the existence of a bus line. It’s no big deal, at another time and with less fatigue maybe I would have found the solution in 5 minutes but at that time I was really looking forward to get back to my bed.

A beautiful place to stay

Element’s promise is quite focused on the hotel as a place to live. Unsurprisingly, the Element Amsterdam lobby is a huge shared space with places to sit and wait, chat, work and drink. A large open space.

We find the same inspiration as in Amsterdam and some common points.

However, the feeling is a little less pleasant. Especially the space dedicated to catering, desperately sad, empty, with poorly exploited spaces.

Next to the reception there is an area where you can buy snacks.

The check-in is very simple and in a few minutes I get my room.

A mini studio well designed and full of small attentions.

The room consists of a sleeping area, a kitchenette and a bathroom. It’s spacious enough that the workspace feels like a real workspace, not stuck to the bed.

The bathroom is a bit minimalist but the shower is large.

And the kitchenette in the entrance.

A small gift was waiting for me, wrapped in cellophane:

And to finish, as usual, the tour in video.

Spanish-inspired catering

It’s just about time for dinner. I start looking for the hotel’s restaurant, which I find at the end of a corridor accessible from the “open space” of the reception. It is a Spanish-inspired restaurant offering tapas. And the decoration is consistent with the promise. The break with the insipid decoration of the service corridor is striking.

I’ll settle for a piece of meat, which is otherwise excellent.

The dinner goes well, I quickly return to bed. The next morning the check-out will go very effectively in spite of the fact that we were a certain number to leave at dawn.

Element Frankfurt Airport: a taste of unfinished business

Looking at the pictures you must think that at less than 100 euros a night this hotel is a bargain. And that’s for sure. But – and maybe it is the comparison with the one in Amsterdam that influences my judgement – I was left hungry in terms of feeling.

I was telling you about this poorly used catering area downstairs where not enough tables (otherwise unoccupied) were taking up too much space. There is this cold and insipid service corridor that takes you from the open space of the lobby to the restaurant, two spaces with rather warm tones and decoration.

And for a recent hotel there is this rather unpleasant impression of premature wear or poor maintenance. I can’t remember seeing a hotel in recent times with such damaged walls, whether they are simple scuff marks that can be recovered with a quick paint or deeper wounds. Supporting evidence.

These are just a few examples. At the beginning one does not pay attention but after the 10th “irregularity” observed in a few hours it makes a bad impression.

But beyond all that, let’s not forget that the objective of such a hotel is to “efficiently” welcome a passenger between two flights. Does it do it well? Yes, without a doubt.

The grades

– Room: warm, well equipped, large. 9/10

– Catering: pleasant service, simple but quality dishes. After that you shouldn’t expect gastronomy either. 7/10

– Check-in/out: smooth and efficient. 10/10

– Respect of the loyalty program. The client is recognized, I got the benefits of my status. After that, an Element doesn’t have enough room variety to expect anything in the way of upgrades or even “enhanced rooms.”

– Facilities (gym/spa) : not tested

– Experience/price ratio: at around 90 euros even the few drawbacks noted above do not tarnish the decor. 8/10.

– Service and care. Friendly staff, efficient service. But this is Element: the expectations are lower, the service offer and the human contact points more reduced than in a Sheraton for example.

• Hotel. Access not obvious, premature wear and tear and failure to repair. There is still a little disappointment. 6,5

The photo album is available here.