I needed a cheap stay for the current promo to triggers the second stay. This HGI opened last month and could be convenient for FRA so i decided to check it out.

Check In

Check in went smoothly. I did OLCI and choose a King room. I requested the Digital key but it was not delivered. I enquired about upgrade at the counter and I was given a Deluxe King room on the 9th floor. 

I was given a voucher for a drink at the bar on the ground floor and a jar of nuts, as a Gold welcome gift.

Room

The room was typical of modern Hilton Garden Inn, with a King bed, table and chair, a closer with a safe, slippers were provided as well as a Nespresso and tea making facilities.I

I am never a big fan of table and prefer desks, however the chair was comfortable and ergonomic enough, so it suits me fine. There are plugs on besides the table and besides the bed, above the sort of bench that replace a sofa. 

The bathroom is of the right size, the shower cubicle quite large, good pressure too. In addition to the normal amenities, there was nouthwash as well as nail tools.

Service

The service was good, although some of the staff are new to hospitality and it shows. Also they are not used to foreigners and just assume you are German. At checkin the agent even replied to me in German despite me initiating the talk in English. 

Breakfast service was fine, it seems there are eggs to order in addition to the scrambled ones in the spread. The buffet is what I would expect from HGI. 

Gym

Windowless dungeon with the minimum equipment. There is a water distributor as well as a Theraband one (!), which can be useful if you forgot yours. There are also hooks for Theraband exercises on the pylon near the entrance.

Location

The hotel is 150 meters from the Hauptbahnof (main train station) of Mannheim. Exit the station, turn right immediately and you will soon see the entrance, which is the old part of the building. So the hotel is located in the lower east part of the Quadrant, the Water Tower is 10 minutes of an easy walk away, and the main avenues of the city just a bit further.

One point is that Mannheim is connected to Frankfurt airport by ICE. There are between 2 and 3 every hours and it takes 32 minutes. Considering its location by the train station, this hotel is an option if needing an hotel for FRA. If the Hilton and HGI attached are too expensive, it is likely this one will still be at a regular price. And it beats the unreliable and crowded shuttle from the Hampton.

Overall

This hotel fit the bill if one needs a stay in Mannheim in a convenient location for the city Center or the train station.