Gekko House, Frankfurt, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

We only ate at the restaurant, not the hotel. It's a warm, pleasant place and the food is great, but it's expensive and not very easy for a first-time visitor. The portions are huge, with no serving sizes listed on the menu. Four of us ordered the four-person platter and couldn't finish it. At that price, I hated leaving food behind. They should offer something like a three-person platter for a group of four. The espresso martini was bliss in a glass, but it was charged twice on the bill. The sneakers hanging from the ceiling feel kind of sinister once you know what they mean. The toilet is far from the dining area and hard to find. Also, there's no proper menu, just a barcode to scan for the online one, which I find especially annoying.

That grilling-meat smell hits you as soon as you enter the reception area. I love meat, so I found it heavenly and it made me hungry every time I came in, though it could be overwhelming if you're sensitive to strong smells. Gekko House is stylish and unusual, with a vibrant, modern urban feel. The rooms are comfortable, well equipped, and thoughtfully laid out, a relaxing place to return to after exploring Frankfurt. Staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the location makes it easy to get around the city. The smell gives the hotel a quirky, almost rustic character. If that sort of memorable atmosphere appeals to you, especially the aroma of grilling meat, Gekko House is a fantastic choice. I highly recommend it for its style and comfort.

The staff are great, and the bar, restaurant, and breakfast are good. Gecko House is conveniently placed for the Hauptbahnhof, public transportation, and shopping.

Parking was the biggest letdown: there were hardly any spaces, so I had to look for street parking in the rain. The friendly, welcoming staff helped make the stay better. Gekko House Frankfurt has a sleek, minimal look that gives it a comfortable boutique feel, though there was no Platinum upgrade. Getting to the lobby means walking through the restaurant, which feels awkward with strong food smells and luggage moving past diners. The restaurant is also used for breakfast, which is practical but nothing distinctive. A few small improvements could make the experience flow more smoothly.