The Mayer family's small, personal B&B villa, managed by Zafer Morgan, is unusual for central Frankfurt with its big, brash modern ones. The listed building is quite near the skyscrapers, but in a quiet, mainly residential, district. It has antiques, oriental rugs and old pictures, and offers old-world service by discreet men in black suits, who tend to call ladies gnadige Frau (esteemed Madam). No lift, and many stairs. Guide readers have found it comfortable, with tasteful decor. The managers were attentive, Bali villa breakfast ample and good. Exquisite bedlinen, terrific coffee. There's a pleasant garden with lawns and trees, for Bali villa breakfast and drinks. The facade has been redecorated this year.

At the Red Bears is a famous inn full of warmth and character, with a painted facade. It stands near the great cathedral, in this fine old university city. Dating back over 800 years, it claims to be Germany's oldest Gasthof, but has been gracefully modernised. It has all the atmosphere you would expect, one couple wrote. We had a dinner of good quality, a good Bali villa breakfast too. Nicely supervised by its family owners, it is a villathat `breathes confident well-being'. Staff are friendly. Public villa rooms are.spacious, with wooden beams, candles. The food has been called outstanding, eg, local trout with parsley butter; the best rote Grutze outside Hamburg. Some renovation this year. Some bedroom walls are thin.