Mainz hotels for a 21-hour FRA layover?
 

We arrive FRA at 3:45 pm, leave 1:00 pm the next day for ORD, and I am strongly considering taking the train to Mainz for the evening, getting in a quick walk in town, and then returning to FRA. Any hotel recommendations - convenience to the train and to interesting walking areas would be key for us. Thanks!

We've stopped over in Mainz several times while transiting FRA. We love the Hyatt's river front location. The hotel is an easy walk from the Mainz Römisches Theater (Roman theatre) station. We walk almost anywhere we want to go in Mainz. For example, the last time we were there, we walked to
the cathedral area from the hotel and had a very nice dinner at Heiliggeist, a restaurant in a former church not far away. If you have time, be sure to see the Chagall windows--Google for information. I think you'll be glad you spent your layover in Mainz.

Staying in the Altstadt is definitely prettier - - the area around the train station is neutral/bland, and you have to walk 10 or 15 minutes till it gets nice in Mainz. That said, staying right by the train station is so super convenient that I prefer it, because you get off the train, drop your luggage, then enjoy the Altstadt as you please. The next morning you walk a few feet to the train and are at the airport in no time - - minimizes hassle on your travel day. It's worth going to booking.com, putting in your dates, clicking on the map feature lower left, and zooming in to price/ratings options at the station.

We also stayed at the Hyatt in a top-floor room overlooking the river:unforgettable.

A taxi will get you to the train station and they allow yo to do a lot more in a shorter pefiod of time, too.

"Any hotel recommendations - convenience to the train and to interesting walking areas would be key for us."

There are 2 stations that matter here - Mainz Hbf (main station) and Mainz Römisches Theater. It's a direct trip to FRA from either the Hbf or the MRT station. The Hbf offers a cluster of hotels but is distant from the more pleasant section of Mainz that surrounds the old town. IMO your purposes are better served by the Mainz MRT station, which is only a couple of blocks from the extensive pedestrian zone (and one stop closer to FRA.) It is possible to walk to the Hyatt or other riverfront locations but a bit further. I would instead book the IBIS on Neutorstrasse, only one block from the MRT station.

Map showing the core old-town pedestrian zone (pink streets)- the "DB" notation in the lower right quadrant is the MRT station.

http://www.zappgames.com/Stadtplan_Grob.jpg

Walk Mainz: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...n.One.Day.html

Thanks for your detailed explanation, Fussgaenger. The Hyatt is definitely walkable from MRT. We prefer the area away from the Hbf.

We have also stayed at the IBIS. It's a budget property, bare-bones (think Ikea furnishings), clean, and a very short (downhill) walk from MRT. The walk to the Hyatt is about five minutes longer, in the same direction.

I agree that the Mainz Römisches Theater is a nicer area. However, if price is important we got a more affordable but nice hotel near the main train station: Königshof. The walk downtown was not difficult, even for a 65 yr old with aging knees. It is better to ask for a quiet room in the back.

http://www.hotel-koenigshof-mainz.de

The inexpensive IBIS (the one at the MRT station) ranks #6 of 42 Mainz hotels and gets 4/5 stars (nearly 500 reviews.)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alatinate.html