Tried & Tested: The Florentin by Althoff Collection
Long considered one of Frankfurt’s most prestigious hotel addresses, the former Villa Kennedy eventually slipped from the spotlight. Now, after an extensive transformation, it has reemerged as The Florentin by Althoff Collection. As a Hessian native, I couldn’t resist taking a closer look behind its newly opened doors. What does this property feel like in a hometown I left nearly 30 years ago? And can The Florentin pull off the delicate balancing act between grand hotel heritage and contemporary luxury? As experienced by LuxuryWise Director of Business Development Melanie Haass
The Hotel
I’ll admit it: Frankfurt felt a lot bigger in my memory. Back when I started my career here, the city felt like the center of the universe. Every day, I commuted in from the countryside, heading into what seemed like the big city. So when I first pulled up a map of The Florentin, I instinctively placed it on the "wrong" (read: not so popular) side of the Main River. Not even close. The location is amazing! The airport transfer is so quick that I barely have time to cross a single item off my to-do list from the back seat of the limousine before I have to cut off a co-worker mid-conversation. And Frankfurt itself is much closer than I remembered. A 15-minute walk takes you from the hotel straight into the beautifully restored New Old Town or the banking district that earned Frankfurt its nickname, Bankfurt.
The hotel positions itself as an urban retreat – and from the moment you arrive, that description feels spot-on. Surrounded by the stately villas of Sachsenhausen, the property settles naturally into its neighborhood. And the moment you stroll down the leafy pathway toward The Garden courtyard, the city seems to melt away. During my IMEX-packed schedule, it quickly became my favorite place to catch my breath.
The Rooms
The Florentin offers 147 keys spread across the historic villa and the newly built wings. One important detail: all 98 Deluxe, Deluxe Garden, and Deluxe Terrace rooms (pictured) are located in the contemporary buildings. The remaining inventory consists of 40 suites, including Junior, Corner, Florentin, and Loft Suites – with the Florentin and Loft categories available both with and without terraces. Plus nine Signature Suites housed within the historic villa. My first thought upon walking in? Wow, that's a lot of space! Even better, it's space that actually works. I found myself unexpectedly enthusiastic about the desk. Not exactly the kind of thing that usually inspires hotel-room excitement, but hear me out. Instead of the usual decorative shelf that barely accommodates a laptop, there's a proper table where you can comfortably work, dine, or do both at the same time. Add conveniently placed power outlets, and you've got one of those simple details that somehow remains surprisingly rare.
A brief tea-lover's confession: finding only an espresso machine and no kettle initially caused a moment of concern. Anyone who prefers tea without a lingering coffee aftertaste will understand. One phone call later, a kettle appeared in my room. Equally appreciated: the minibar stocks real milk rather than those tiny coffee creamers. And then there's the shower. Every frequent traveler knows the ritual of deciphering a new shower system before caffeine has entered the bloodstream. Not here. Step in, press a button, done. No guessing games, no accidental cold-water surprises, just the right temperature immediately. After years of luxury hotel stays, I've been quietly assembling my dream home in my head. Admittedly, a lottery win may be required before construction begins. But this shower system officially made the shortlist.
The Suites
Guests booking a suite can look forward to a range of thoughtful extras. In the Loft Suites (pictured) and villa suites, for example, a hologram fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere. Elsewhere, clever details include switchable privacy glass between bedroom and bathroom, watch winders for luxurious timepiece collections, and floorplans that clearly reflect real-life usage rather than architectural theory: The guest powder room near the entrance means business associates or even the mother-in-law can stop by for dinner or drinks without being guided directly past your bed.
Things get even more interesting in the villa's nine Signature Suites. Thanks in part to the building's protected status, no two are alike. Rather than pursuing uniform luxury, The Florentin embraces individuality. Philosophers, poets, botanists, jazz musicians, and tea masters all served as inspiration, giving each suite its own distinct personality and story. Top state of the art is the Royal Suite. Anyone who regularly attends site inspections knows the phenomenon: after a while, luxury suites tend to blur together into a haze of marble, beige tones, and carefully curated coffee-table books. Not at The Florentin. My personal favorite is the Jazz Suite – with a turntable, vinyl collection, and the villa's only private suite terrace. The villa suites and the suites in the newer buildings offer completely different experiences. The historic side of the property draws its appeal from atmosphere, character, and a sense of place that has evolved over generations. The contemporary suites, meanwhile, deliver modern luxury with generous proportions and sleek design. Different clients, different preferences. Fortunately, The Florentin caters exceptionally well to both.
The Villa
The landmark-protected 1901 villa is the real deal at The Florentin – and the extensive renovation brought it back to its roots: an actual home. Lobby? Gone. Welcome back, kitchen and social rooms! The strict heritage protection that kept the floor plan basically untouchable turns out to be a feature, not a bug. Today, the villa belongs exclusively to the Signature Suite guests staying in it – think members’ club vibes, minus the stuffiness. Villa guests get full run of all hotel services, but that door swings one way only: no villa key card, no entry. Period. If your top clients are craving serious privacy, the whole showpiece is also available as a buyout – Signature Suites, historic salons, wine cellar with tasting room, private kitchen, all of it, just for them. They don’t want to cook? No problem, just call in the right chef. Bottom line: a Frankfurt city villa to call their own, for as long as they need it.
All the Feels
Reflections from My Stay
Quiet Luxury
From first hello to final goodbye, the vibe stays consistently warm, relaxed, and refreshingly low-key. Luxury without the performance.
Heavenly Quiet
A blessing: the AC actually turns off. No hum, no noise, no mystery buzzing from the vents – just pure, unapologetic silence. I love a solid night’s sleep.
Super Soundproofing
It’s all about quiet, even during the day: no doors slamming, no noise bleeding in from the Kennedy-Allee right next door to some of the rooms.
Local Flavor
Small touches like window glass made from "Ebbelwoi" (the local cider) bottles bring a charming sense of home – right in the heart of Frankfurt.
The Culinary Options
Let’s start with breakfast – and finally, a proper shakshuka worth getting excited about. Breakfast at The Garden delivers across the board: buffet and à-la-carte menu, everything you could want. And for an extra mood boost, there’s champagne. But honestly, the real win is the unpretentious atmosphere – just the right mix of luxury and ease before heading into the IMEX trade show madness. Lunch and dinner hold up just as well. The menu reads pleasantly regional without tipping into folksy cliché: locally rooted, modern European, but with no interest in reinventing the wheel. Good produce, dishes you actually want to eat, plating that’s elegant without being fussy. A very fine way for me to kick off asparagus season at The Florentin.
The most important question: will The Florentin soon add a new star to Frankfurt’s fine dining firmament? The Dune, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, was unfortunately closed both evenings of my stay. That said, the whole city is buzzing about "Stars above Frankfurt," a month-long series putting the Main metropolis firmly on the culinary map. Its sold-out welcome party, complete with food stations from some seriously decorated chefs, was hosted right here at The Florentin.
I did get a peek inside The Dune though. The name says it all: warm sand tones, sweeping sofa shapes that echo rolling dunes. After dark, hundreds of tiny ceiling lights create a full-on desert stargazing moment. Crank up the playlist and this place becomes the perfect launchpad for a glamorous night out. And the hotel bar? Equally easy to get stuck in – whether you’re a local or a guest – as I know from very reliable sources. The mixologists come straight from Frankfurt’s bar scene and work their magic, while the long counter is basically built for extended bar conversations. Ahem.
The Spa
City hotels have a tough time with spa spaces – the wellness area almost always ends up in the basement, feeling like a nicely decorated underground bunker. Not here – thanks to generous windows and plenty of natural light in the pool and relaxation area. The spa sits in the same spot as before but got a serious upgrade during the renovation – significantly more space. Forget the usual cramped hotel sweat boxes: the saunas and steam room here are the kind of size you’d expect from a high-end wellness club. And there’s no shortage of cozy lounging options either: sunbeds in the garden, by the pool, and up on the mezzanine, where you’ll also find generous couple’s daybeds.
A big deal for beauty enthusiasts: the spa partners with Dr. Barbara Sturm, making The Florentin the only address for the brand in the entire Rhine-Main region. I treated myself to a facial called promisingly "Glow." And the results? Not joking: when I met up with my mom later that day, her first words were: "You’re glowing." The combination of high-tech treatment, exceptional products, and seriously skilled hands appears to do the trick.
Because the urban retreat concept is taken seriously here, pool, sauna, and treatments are just the beginning: starting in September, two-day yoga retreats will launch, with more formats to follow.
The Experiences
Frankfurt rarely makes the tourist wish list – and that goes for European guests and international visitors alike. A shame, really, considering the sheer number of overseas clients who touch down at FRA airport every single day, only to hop straight onto a connecting flight or jump on a train without giving the Hessian metropolis so much as a second glance. Or venturing out into the surrounding region: from the Spessart to the Rheingau and the Weinstrasse, Germany’s underrated heartland has a lot to offer.
I had the pleasure of rediscovering my hometown alongside Chief Concierge Timo Dreissigacker. Timo is one of many on the team who still belongs to the "old guard" of the Villa Kennedy – he knows this city like the back of his hand and happily shares all the good insider stories on our stroll into town. Along the Museumsufer, across the Eiserner Steg, and suddenly we’re standing in the newly refreshed Old Town. I found myself seeing Frankfurt through completely fresh eyes – genuinely surprised, as if I’d never really known it before. Or appreciated it, for that matter. Now, Timo himself isn’t available as a personal guide for your clients – sorry about that. But as a proud Clefs d’Or concierge, he knows everyone worth knowing, and together with his team he’ll happily match your clients with the right specialist – whether their thing is art, architecture, food, history, or maybe a peek behind the scenes of Frankfurt that most visitors never get to see.
Frankfurt is wildly underestimated when it comes to culture. If your mental image stops at banks, stock exchange, and business lunches, you’re missing out on one of the more compelling sides of the city. Between the Museumsufer, the opera house, galleries, and countless smaller cultural gems, you could easily spend several days here without setting foot inside a single skyscraper. Fun fact: of Germany’s 22 skyscrapers – officially defined as 150 meters and above – 20 of them arein Frankfurt. The nickname "Mainhattan" is thoroughly earned. Frankfurt is a museum city, and what’s on offer right on The Florentin’s doorstep is nothing short of impressive. The Städel, one of Germany’s most fascinating art museums, is practically around the corner. The hotel leans into that proximity with a close partnership and bookable packages – like the Art & Culture arrangement tied to the current Monet exhibition, private guided tour included if desired.
One thing we didn’t manage to squeeze into our Frankfurt experience: the Technomuseum and its new Omen exhibition. Totally my scene – I grew up with Sven Väth, his music, and those legendary Frankfurt nights between night clubs Omen and Cocoon. Exactly the kind of nostalgia trip that hits every button at once. That one goes straight to the top of the list for my next visit home.
For clients who prefer to explore the city and surrounding region on two wheels, simply reserve one of The Florentin’s bikes – perfect for a day trip along the lines of culture, half-timbered villages, and beer gardens.
The Service
The fun starts before you even arrive. Before the limousine has left the airport, the chauffeur has already given the hotel a heads-up. Minutes later, as the door swings open, I’m greeted by name: "We’re so delighted to welcome you, Ms. Haass!" Moments like that sound like a small thing – but they’re exactly what separates nice service from genuine hospitality.
The Florentin sees itself as a place where people come together, and that’s no accident. Back around 1900, the prominent Frankfurt entrepreneurial family Beit von Speyer regularly gathered the city’s intellectual and social elite for soirées in this very villa. The hotel carries that spirit into the present day. The historic salons and the newer event spaces – from the Library to the ballroom – aren’t just pretty backdrops. They’re an actual stage for conversation, culinary experiences, and cultural exchange.
What We Loved
✔ Wait, already? Under twelve minutes from the airport to the hotel – outside of rush hour, but still
✔ No more typing hunched over a laptop in bed – I set up a proper office at the big desk with the couch right there
✔ Iced coffee and an afternoon glass of wine hit different in the courtyard oasis
✔ No time between IMEX and evening plans? No problem – the ghd hair dryer has serious power (P.S.: Suites get Dyson, but honestly that’s just the pricier brand image talking)
✔ Five stars for the whole team – they all seem genuinely happy to be there, and it shows
Not So Much
✖ Light sleepers who like to snooze in summer: pack an eye mask. My room was fairly high up and got bright early – no blackout blinds ✖ Coffee and tea weren’t automatically restocked during my stay. Apparently not standard policy, more of an oversight – which can happen, but probably shouldn’t ✖ Valet parking is somehow priced like the car is checking in for its own suite
Images: The Florentin / Daniel Schaefer Photography (9) & LuxuryWise (2)
In a Nutshell
Even under its previous brand, this was always one of Frankfurt’s lovely gems. But The Florentin is far more than a name change – a lot was turned inside out, rethought from scratch, and reimagined with a genuine urban retreat ambition. For me, a real gamechanger for the city hotel scene in the heart of Germany. And considering the doors only opened in December, an impressive amount is already running impressively smoothly. The mix of Villa Kennedy veterans and Althoff professionals works beautifully. An absolute must on your radar for your best clients – even if it’s just for a pre-night before a long-haul flight: a stone’s throw from the airport, right in the middle of urban life, and nothing like an anonymous airport hotel.
Trade Contact: Carmen Hackmann, Director of Sales & Marketing