I had approximately the same problem last spring, with perhaps a little more layover time.

I solved it by overnighting in Wiesbaden, a short S-Bahn ride from the Frankfurt Airport. W-baden doesn't get much "press", but I found it charming. The pedestrian mall is extensive, jammed with reasonably-priced restaurants and interesting shops. I also found W-baden's architecture to be quite interesting, though no major sights stick in my brain.

The highlight of my stay was a visit to the local Kaiser-Friedrich Therme, a beautiful and spacious German-style (read: nude) spa where I happily soaked and steamed away my travel weariness, and relaxed myself enough for a good night's sleep.

I slept at the Hotel Drei Lilien, a B&B/Pension very close to the Kurhaus and Casino, a short cab ride from the Wiesbaden train station, and a pleasant stroll distant from the Therme. The staff there was extremely friendly, and more than accomodating of my very early departure time. In fact, they insisted on preparing an excellent hot breakfast for me prior to the dining room's official opening time.

For what it's worth.

Fritzrl

A train to the city takes only about 20 minutes, but in my opinion you do not have enough time for a trip to any of the cities you mentioned. If you are a very early riser you might be able to squeeze a couple of hours in one of the pictoresque towns in the mountains, like Koeningsberg, practically a suburb of Frankfurt.

I've been researching Munich and Frankfurt, trying to decide between the two for a layover and here's what I discovered. Trains into Frankfurt run every 15 minutes from the airport and the trip takes only 10 minutes to the city centre so you do have time.

Downtown Frankfurt hotels seem fairly pricey but I found a hotel 15k from the airport with complementary airport shuttle that looks lovely. It's the Kempinski Hotel Gravenbruck Frankfurt, described as an exclusive country resort. United.com offers a room rate there for Sunday, April 23, my date, of $109 standard or $157 comfort, not including breakfast. There are two restaurants on site. http://united.wwte1.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&itid=&itdx=&itty=&from=f&shtl=1

I'll be interested to read advice from other Fodorites about a Frankfurt layover too. Or a Munich one.

Ed from D,

I'll have to agree with Balm on this. You'll be getting in too late at night for much to be open, and not much will open by the time you need to start making it back to the airport.

As an alternative, you could stay in downtown Frankfurt, spend the morning walking around the Romerberg, eat a nice breakfast, and then head to the airport.

If you land at 8.20 p.m. you won't have cleared customs and claimed your luggage before 9.00 p.m. at best.

I'd stay at an aiport hotel (the Sheraton is connected to the airport, a Steigenberger is close by and slightly cheaper).

I'd sleep there and then train it into the city center in the morning for a 2 hour walk around town (Roemer area). You could leave your luggage at the hotel and conveniently pick it up just before your check-in. Things should be much more comfortable this way (remember that you'll have to be back at the aiport at least an hour prior to your departure, which would mean already by 12.25, rather 12.15). And BTW, Frankfurt isn't that scenic anyway.

LHW.COM, schlosshotel kronberg, 15-20 minutes to the airport, a castle hotel with a great breakfast.

Frankfurt airport allows passengers to check in the night before (except for US departures). Since your evening is shot anyway, check in your luggage for the next flight as soon as you arrive. It'll allow you to arrive the next day at the airport to board 45 minute before departure time.

In case you decide to stay in Mainz, I just came back from Mainz a couple of days ago staying at the very nice Hyatt. It was a 23 minute train ride to the Mainz Sud station using the S9 (metro train running every half hour) and a 5 minute walk to the Rhein river front hotel. There is also a nice looking Ibis closer to the station. A great restaurant for dinner is Heiligen-geist (Holy ghost) which is a nice continental restaurant built inside a renovated old church. Fantastic gothic interior, great service, and very reasonable prices. Mainz was bombed thoroughly but still has a large cathedral,Gutenberg printing museum & a Rhein river stroll to offer. It's nothing exciting to write home about, but comfortable enough for a jetlag day.

in mainz also the chagalls in the cathedral are not to be missed.

p.s. it would certainly be more interesting after 8 pm. to be in a small town, like mainz, or even part of frankfurt IMHO than at the airport hotel. plus, you are already THERE for the morning STROLL.

Hi Friends. Thanks for all of your great thoughts on our layover in Frankfurt. This will be our final night of an 18 day trip, so we're going to stay out late and have some fun. With 4 of us, we've decided to take a taxi from the airport to Wiesbaden where we will stay at the Radisson SAS Schwarzer Bock. Checking in about 10 p.m., we'll stroll the town at night and probably end up at the Kurhaus/Casino for a bit. In the morning, we can enjoy the mineral spring pool at the hotel and a walk around town before departing at 3 p.m. via taxi for the airport. Should be fun.

My husband and I also will have a layover in Frankfurt.
We will arrive about noon and will not leave until 11:15 the following day.
Would you suggest going into Frankfurt to a hotel to stay because we will actually have most of the day to just relax?
Or would you suggest visiting one of the other towns mentioned?
Thank you.

My experience is that Frankfurt per se is not very interesting to the visitor, unless the visitor happens to be involved in international finance. Frankfurt is primarily a banking and business center. The city core is filled with skyscrapers and high-rise office buildings.

Not to say that it's a dull place -- just not one that feels a need to exert itself to cater to casual travellers.

Any of the other cities or towns discussed in this thread would likely be both more interesting and relaxing, and equally convenient to the Frankfurt airport.

Fritzrl

Thank you Fritzrl. You made Weisbaden sound so appealing, that we are thinking that this might be the place.

Twenty four hours is not very long, but I am sure we will enjoy it.

I even looked up reservations at the B&B you mentioned, and the price seems very reasonable.

Sherry