No one from the hotel is paying me to write this, so don't be cynical when I say I could slip away here for a solid week, disconnecting from the outside world or at least Americans, while blissfully realizing the kinds of dreams we all have (when left with our own thoughts).
I am talking about Frankfurter Hof, one of the Steigenberger hotels, in Frankfurt, Germany.
I haven't been there (yet!) but from what I've seen I'm feeling the Hitchock suite, for example, not in small part because I'm a huge Hitchcock fan; but more than that, I like the pedigree here.
Erected in 1876, Frankfurter Hof harkens to what its packagers say were:
"glorious days, of splendid festivities and heydays of an empire. But it is also a symbol of downfall and resurrection – the economic miracle of the post war years – an allegory of modern Germany."
Like all mid-19th century beauties, the hotel has enjoyed a facelift in more recent times, of course. And after it was partially crushed by bombings in 1944, workers had to scramble to restore it a few years later.
The book "Frankfurter Hof" by Andreas Augustin lists over 800 names from the hotel's storied past, and tomorrow night it'll be launched in Frankfurt. Names like Hitchcock, Jagger, Schwarzenegger and Albert Schweitzer, who visited in the 50s, as well as a bevvy of screen beauties and politicians fill the pages.
If you can pick up a last-minute ticket from LA, I recommend flying to New York and then on to Germany. (Last minute deals from New York to Frankfurt on Priceline will run you about $968; wait a while and you'll save a bundle.)
More than likely, though, you'll just be inspired to read it at your leisure.
Tip:
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Note: Jews (or half-Jews in my case) heading over to Germany, or where I was in Vienna in 2008, have mixed emotions mixing there. On the one hand, speak to any taxi driver and he'll tell you about how much things have changed. Yet, step into a building that was there for the history and you can sense the evolution yourself.
To buy the book from The Most Famous Hotel in the World web site, please click here.
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