Flying to Europe to Get to Asia Part 7

1. United First Orange County to San Francisco andUnited International Lounge
2. United Business San Francisco to Frankfurt
3. Lufthansa First Class Lounge
4. Lufthansa First Frankfurt to Tokyo
5. Tokyo for a Day
6. ANA Business Tokyo to Frankfurt
7. Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
8. United Flight Frankfurt to San Francisco
9. United First San Francisco to Orange County
10. Trip Summary

The Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport is located in the Squaire, a short walk away from the airport terminals through indoor walkways.  The hotel is above one of the main rail links to the airport.  I followed the signs to the hotel once I cleared customs.  There were only a couple people walking the same direction as me given the early hour on a Sunday.  The shops along the way were just opening up and the smell of freshly baked pastries was wafting through the air. 

This hotel just opened at the end of last year along with a main Hilton brand hotel.  Both hotels share the same structure although the entrance to the HGI is more understated off to the side.  The lobby was bright and welcoming and I was warmly greeted by the front desk staff.  Luckily for me, a room was available and I was able to check-in early. 

The Hilton Brands at Frankfurt Airport

Main Lobby

Main Lobby

My hotel room was on the 9^th floor facing the airport (the hotel lobby was technically on the 5^th floor.  The furnishings in the room were simple and the finishes in the bathroom were very nice.  The overall size was smaller than most US hotel rooms but larger than most of the European hotels I have stayed in. 

Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is available for up to two devices per room so both my laptop and phone could hit up the web.  One detail that I really liked in the hotel was the dedicated power outlets for a range of countries.  I wish more hotels would include this feature so I wouldn’t have to worry about specific adapters everywhere I go. 

I was able to stay awake for a couple hours and had every intention of heading out into the city for the day, but the bed was too alluring.  After 66 hours of traveling without a true bed, I needed to lie down and I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.  I didn’t wake up until 6pm and had basically decided to relax in and near the hotel for the rest of the night.  I was able to grab some food at one of the shops in the Squaire and even caught a brand new episode of Top Gear on BBC2. 

It took me a fair amount of time to fall asleep again at a “normal” hour but the sleep didn’t last long and I was up early in the morning.  Breakfast was included in my hotel stay so I went down to the in-hotel restaurant and hit up the buffet.  The faire was similar to what you would see at most Hilton Garden Inns but a wider selection of breads, pastries, and cold cuts were available to select from.  The restaurant was about a third full with a fair amount of business people eating.  I enjoyed a big plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, roasted tomato, pineapple, and pastries.  It hit the spot in the morning and should give me enough fuel for the morning. 

The checkout process was quick and I was at the terminal in a few minutes getting checked in at the United counter.  I wish I was going back to the Lufthansa First Class terminal…  I was asked a few more questions that usual about my trip since I had been in and out of Germany a couple times in the past few days, but eventually I was able to check in for my flight and find out that my upgrade cleared for a business class seat.  So far I am 4 for 4 on getting my system wide upgrades cleared. 

Departures Board at Frankfurt

I enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport.  Next time that I am connecting at FRA and need a place to stay, I will be back here.