Nicolette Stewart

The first thing you’ll see as your train pulls into Frankfurt is the city's glittering skyline—it's the only German city toothed with skyscrapers—and as the country's banking capital, Frankfurt is known as "Mainhatten" by those who would compare it to New York. But beneath the towers that the Euro built, Frankfurt is a city that rewards explorers and treasure hunters. With the pull of the banking sector, the Frankfurt Fair and the Frankfurt Airport, many of the city's hotels are focused more on functionality than flair—and their prices rise exponentially during trade fairs. But look in the right places, and you will find unique oases dotting the city, waiting to welcome tourists with a charming mix of small-town friendliness and big-city style. Though the hotels on this list could be called cheap relative to the city's standard, these are also some of the most interesting—and some of the best—accommodations the city has to offer. The hotels on this list range from a colorful, casual design hotel to a collective-meets-hotel creative living community—we even have a boat docked serenely beneath the walls of a castle—and prices fall in the range of 60 to 150 euros per night.

The Goldman takes the bright color palette and cheeky punchlines of 25hours by Levi's and adds a luxury veneer, an East-meets-West theme, a bar with live music, the maritime-themed Goldman Restaurant and individually styled, themed and decorated rooms. Located in Frankfurt's quiet east end, the Goldman is a short walk from the European Central Bank, a glass tower whose austere modernity contrasts pleasantly with the industrial structures dotting the river at its feet, though you'll need about 20 minutes to reach the city center on public transport. The Goldman's amenities mirror those of by Levi's. If you need a visit to the gym, grab an 8 euro pass for the neighboring Fitness First.

Though hotels crowd the Central Station, Hauptwache is Frankfurt's true center—pulsing with shoppers, street musicians, pedestrians and tourists. Amidst this lively hubbub is Hotel Zentrum Hauptwache, with modern rooms that, though sparse, avoid the "I'm in a hotel” feel through a careful choice of furniture, color and fixtures. Hotel Zentrum shares a building with the Arthouse Cinema—one of Frankfurt's oldest movie theaters—but if that's not your thing, Hauptwache is a transportation hub that can have you anywhere in the city in ten minutes or less. Breakfast is included and served in a stylish dining area with exposed concrete walls and modern art—in the afternoons, try the hotel's complimentary coffee and cake service.

The Hotel Nizza is a local favorite, beloved for its breakfast and the stunning view from its roof terrace. The rooms are simple but modern, with a minimalistic elegance and attention to detail that lends each room a unique personality. Opened in 1993 with the intention of hosting actors and creatives, the hotel has always had a close relationship with the Frankfurt theater community. Shoot some pool in the billiard room, admire the skyline and mingle with locals over a drink on the terrace, or head out for a night in the Bahnhofsviertel, where clubs, restaurants and bars line the streets just outside the door.

The Lindner Main Plaza is a traditional luxury hotel—with the atmosphere, decor and amenities you would expect of one—and only their bottom price range qualifies them for this list. But the Lindner is THE hotel if an incredible view of the skyline is part of your travel bucket list, and while the more affordable rooms are further down the 16-story, red brick, art deco skyscraper, anything above the sixth will give you something to look at (northwest-facing rooms for skyline, north-facing for river). The Lindner's location puts the city—quite literally—at your feet. Skip the restaurant, grab a kebab and a six pack, and spend an hour or two in your room eyeballing the view that gave Frankfurt the nickname "Mainhatten."