Holiday Inn – the niu, Charly Frankfurt City by IHG

Holiday Inn – the niu, Charly Frankfurt City by IHG Overview

First Impressions

Walking into Holiday Inn – the niu, Charly Frankfurt City by IHG, you immediately get that this isn’t your typical corporate hotel chain experience. The lobby has this fresh, contemporary vibe that feels more like a boutique property than what you’d expect from a three-star place. I mean, the design team really nailed that balance between modern and welcoming — there’s colorful artwork on the walls and these comfortable seating areas that actually make you want to hang out for a bit.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s the thing about staying in Frankfurt‘s Bahnhofsviertel — it gets a bad rap, but honestly, it’s one of the most connected neighborhoods in the city. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, which means you can hop on a train to pretty much anywhere in Germany or catch the S-Bahn straight to the airport. The area around Niddastraße has really cleaned up over the years, and there’s this great mix of international restaurants and local spots within walking distance. Plus, having parking available right at the hotel is actually a big deal in Frankfurt — trust me on this one.

The Room Experience

The room I stayed in was compact but smartly designed, which seems to be the niu brand’s signature style. Everything has its place, and the bed was surprisingly comfortable for a mid-range property. What I really appreciated was the attention to detail — good lighting for actually reading, plenty of outlets where you need them, and a bathroom that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The soundproofing is decent too, which matters when you’re this close to the main train station.

Breakfast & Amenities

The breakfast buffet here is honestly better than it needs to be for a three-star hotel. They’ve got the usual suspects — fresh bread, cold cuts, scrambled eggs — but also some nice touches like local honey and actually good coffee. The breakfast restaurant gets busy around 8 AM (you know, business travelers catching early trains), so I’d recommend going either before 7:30 or after 9 if you want a more relaxed experience. The staff is genuinely friendly too, not just going through the motions.

Why Guests Love It

What really sets this place apart is how many people come back — and after staying here, I get why. It’s that sweet spot where you’re getting solid value without feeling like you’re roughing it. The location works whether you’re here for business meetings in the financial district or exploring Frankfurt’s museums and old town. Couples seem to particularly enjoy it (which makes sense given how walkable everything is), and the whole vibe is just… comfortable. You’re not paying for amenities you won’t use, but everything you do need is done well. It’s the kind of place where you can focus on why you came to Frankfurt instead of dealing with hotel hassles.

Reviews of Holiday Inn – the niu, Charly Frankfurt City by IHG

• Daria from Germany – 6 April 2025 (8/10)

  What could be improved: Street is very dangerous

• Frankie from United Kingdom – 6 April 2025 (8/10)

  Really friendly staff and comfortable room!

• Rhonda from United States – 5 April 2025 (9/10)

  Staff were great! The hotel was close to the Hbf which made it easy to arrive when we stayed. The surrounding area was “shady” but the hotel was clean and ideal. The staff were great with allowing us to leave our bags until our room was ready.

• Paul from United Kingdom – 1 April 2025 (8/10)

  Property was clean and staff were friendly
  
  What could be improved: Location. Blatant drug use outside hotel

• Balázs from Hungary – 1 April 2025 (9/10)

  Nice, equipped, modern rooms Delicious continental breakfast. The hotel is in a very good location close to the city center. Everything is within walking distance. At night, there are a bit many homeless and drug addicts in the area, but it's not dangerous.

• Duane from United Kingdom – 31 March 2025 (8/10)

  Could not fault the hotel. Well managed
  
  What could be improved: Location next to red light district. Beggars and junkies in path ways all around area, making it not pleasant.

• Jamie from United Kingdom – 30 March 2025 (9/10)

  Everything was great
  
  What could be improved: The location might put some people off, but the hotel is really nice

• Zhouzheng from China – 25 February 2025 (9/10)

  Very nice stuff.
  
  What could be improved: Be aware of the safety situation near the hotel.

• Rossella from Italy – 23 February 2025 (8/10)

  Friendly and nice stuff. Great breakfast. Location around train station not the best, but definitely I good hotel to stay.

• Dorde from Germany – 20 February 2025 (9/10)

  Location, price, equipment
  
  What could be improved: Na

Surroundings

Facilities