Düsseldorf Airport's BEST Kept Secret: Friends Hotel Ratingen Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the “BEST Kept Secret” near Düsseldorf Airport: Friends Hotel Ratingen. Forget the polished brochures and glowing reviews you've seen elsewhere. I'm giving you the REAL scoop, warts and all, because let's be honest, a perfect hotel is like a unicorn… mostly just a legend.
First, let’s get the airport proximity out of the way. Accessibility? Yeah, it IS accessible. From Düsseldorf Airport, it's a quick hop and a skip – a taxi wouldn't break the bank, and I believe there is an airport transfer too (although I didn't use it, I'm a taxi kinda gal). That being said, I'm kind of a klutz, and it never felt like a huge trek. So, thumbs up for a good location, if you're flying in or out.
Now, let's talk about the stuff that really matters: the vibe. Okay, so the Friends Hotel Ratingen isn’t exactly a designer palace. Don't expect marble floors and crystal chandeliers. What it does have is a certain, dare I say it, charm. Think slightly retro, a little bit quirky, like a well-loved, comfortable sweater.
Rooms: A Sanctuary of Comfort (and, Let's Be Honest, A Few Minor Quirks)
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the rooms. I'm the kind of person who needs a decent bed, a working shower, and a reliable Wi-Fi signal. Friends Hotel Ratingen largely delivered on this. The beds were comfy, not those rock-hard monstrosities you sometimes get. I needed the extra-long bed, being tall and it was PERFECT, and the blackout curtains were a godsend. I really valued the reading light, I was actually able to read. The Wi-Fi [free] was a godsend, truly. I spent a good chuck of time using the Internet access – wireless as well.
But… (and there's always a "but," isn't there?). My room wasn't exactly "minimalist chic." It was… well, fully loaded. Air conditioning, a refrigerator, a coffee/tea maker, and, bless their hearts, slippers! It felt almost old-school. There was also a safe box, an ironing facilities and even a laptop workspace. They provide everything you need to never leave your room!
The bathroom? Perfectly functional. The shower was hot, the towels were clean. There was a bathtub, which I did not end up using, but it was nice to see it there. There were also the usual toiletries. It wasn't a spa-level experience, but everything worked. The only drawback was slightly-worn look, but hey. It's honest!
Food, Glorious Food (and Maybe a Napkin Too)
Okay, let's talk food. Because let's be real, a hotel's food situation can make or break a stay.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This was good. I wouldn't say gourmet, but it had everything I needed to kickstart my day. I had a good Western breakfast. You can get Asian breakfast too. Lots of coffee/tea in restaurant options too.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants available, too. I ate at the restaurant a few times, sometimes with a salad in restaurant, sometimes with a soup in restaurant and sometimes with a desserts in restaurant. The International cuisine was available, and I'm happy to say there's a Vegetarian restaurant option too.
- Bar: There's a bar! And it has a happy hour! Need I say more? They also have a poolside bar! They're prepared.
- Room service [24-hour]: I wasn't sure for a second if I should give it a shot – and it was a good move.
Relaxation Station: Spa Dreams or Reality Check?
Okay, the spa. This is where things get… interesting.
- Spa/sauna: Ah, the promise of relaxation. The spa was available – but I have a rule: if you can't find it after ten minutes of searching, it's probably not top-tier. I never made it to the Sauna or Steamroom, but they're there, so good luck!
- Massage: I did get a massage! It was… adequate!
- Swimming pool: Not sure if it's the best, but there is a Swimming pool [outdoor].
- Fitness center: Haven't seen it. Maybe another time!
Cleanliness & Safety: Are We Still Alive?
Thankfully, yes! Cleanliness and safety is actually taken seriously, which is a huge plus. They had all the usual precautions in place. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and I definitely saw the Staff trained in safety protocol. I’m happy that they provide Anti-viral cleaning products services and a Daily disinfection in common areas.
Services & Conveniences: All the Bells and Whistles (Mostly)
They do a decent job of providing the basic services, such as Air conditioning in public area, a Concierge, and a Daily housekeeping, but they also have the more in-depth services, as well. They have a Cash withdrawal, Doorman, Elevator, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area and a Terrace.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Escape Zone?
I don’t travel with kids, so I can't give you the definitive answer but I do know there is a Babysitting service option.
Getting Around: Airport Access & Beyond
- Airport transfer: Available!
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Bless them.
- Car park [on-site]: Also yes.
- Taxi service: Available too.
The Quirky Touches
Here's where Friends Hotel Ratingen truly shines. It's the little things. The fact that they give you Free bottled water? Perfect. The fact that there’s a Convenience store for late-night snacks? Brilliant. The fact that there's a real, human Front desk [24-hour] available? Super.
Now, the Hard Truth…
Look, this isn't the Four Seasons. You won't find marble bathrooms or Michelin-starred chefs. There's no Pool with view. There is a Fitness center, which I have never seen.
The Verdict
Friends Hotel Ratingen is a solid choice.
The "Friends Hotel Ratingen: Your Relaxed Düsseldorf Airport Layover Awaits!" Offer
Tired of the usual bland airport hotels? Crave a comfy, convenient stay near Düsseldorf with a sprinkle of personality?
Here's the deal: Book your stay at Friends Hotel Ratingen and enjoy:
- Cozy, well-equipped rooms for a restful night's sleep.
- Free Wi-Fi to stay connected.
- On-site restaurant, a bar to unwind.
- Free parking (a lifesaver!).
But wait, there's more! Book now and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of water upon arrival.
- Priority access to the breakfast buffet.
Guarantee: You'll leave refreshed, relaxed, and ready to tackle whatever your travels throw your way.
Click here to book NOW and discover Düsseldorf's BEST Kept Secret!
Osaka's Hidden Gem: 3-Min Walk to Station, Nanba in 1 Stop! Stunning Apartment!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into my utterly chaotic, wonderfully imperfect, Friends Hotel Dusseldorf-Airport Ratingen Dusseldorf Germany adventure. Don't expect perfection, expect… well, me.
The "Barely Holding it Together" Dusseldorf Diary: A Stream-of-Consciousness Travel Fiasco
Day 1: Arrival & Airport Antics (Ratingen - The Edge of Reason)
- 9:00 AM (give or take an hour, jet lag is a MONSTER): Landed in Dusseldorf! Or, more accurately, stumbled out of the plane looking like a well-loved, slightly rumpled piece of luggage. Found the Friends Hotel in Ratingen (because, apparently, I'm allergic to making good travel choices) after a delightful adventure involving a train that may or may not have actually been going the right way. Praying any language barriers will get me through this thing…
- Anecdote 1: The "adventure" on the train? Let's just say I think I accidentally stared at a particularly grumpy-looking German gentleman for a solid five minutes. Pretty sure I saw him contemplate throwing me off at the next stop. Oops.
- 11:00 AM: Found the hotel! The Friends Hotel at Dusseldorf Airport, and it's… well, it's a hotel. Cleanish, smelling faintly of… something. The staff seemed nice, or at least, polite enough to not laugh at my slightly hysterical "I have arrived!" greeting. The room? Basic. Functional. I've slept in worse (a bus station in Prague, to be exact).
- Quirky Observation: The vending machine in the lobby is a terrifying collection of energy drinks and mystery chips. Should I dare? Maybe later.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a little bakery near the hotel. Pretzel. Okay, I'm in Germany. But wait, what if I don't like pretzels? Oh God, I've committed. It was…fine? A pretzel is a pretzel, I guess.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploration of Ratingen. Actually, it was more like wandering aimlessly. Found a cute little market square. Saw a church. Took a picture of a very confused-looking pigeon. Feeling the jet lag slowly, painfully creeping in.
- Emotional Reaction: The pigeon? I think he understood my existential dread. We bonded.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Nap time? Yes. Definitely nap time. This is the only way I am going to survive.
- 6:00 PM: Woke up, feeling refreshed… or maybe not. Decided to have the questionable chips. regret
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Crap, did i forget to pack pants? Got the schnitzel with fries. Standard. Predictable. Comforting, actually.
- Opinionated Language: The fries were… well, they were fries. Let's not get carried away, people. They weren't the best fries, not worthy of a Michelin star, but they were sufficient.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Back to the hotel, watching the TV and just taking it slow.
Day 2: Dusseldorf City and the Beer-Soaked Dream (Dusseldorf - The Heart of It All)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (another standard affair, sausage and eggs). Decided to finally be brave and get on the train into Dusseldorf. Slight panic attack about the ticket machine but, I survived.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so the train ride… I thought I knew where I was going. Turns out, I didn't. Spent a good twenty minutes just looking around, wondering if I'd taken some magical portal to an alternate Dusseldorf that I didn't know. Got off at the wrong stop and then, found it.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Dusseldorf City! Walked along the Rhein. Saw the MedienHafen (the cool, modern-y part). Saw a ton of shops. Tried not to get run over by a bike.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: The Rhein? Absolutely stunning. Made me actually appreciate being here, even though I was still a bit lost. It's all so pretty here.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Okay, beer time. Had the most amazing lunch, and followed it up with a massive experience.
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: So, this beer. I walked into a traditional "kneipe" (a pub/bar), probably the most important stop to start this trip. The atmosphere was phenomenal, everyone seems to just have a good time and it was great. The beer was Altbier (I think?). Dark, cold, AMAZING. I had three. Maybe four. Possibly five. The details are fuzzy. I then went to a chocolate shop.
- 4:00 PM: A bit blurry. Train. Back to the hotel.
- 5:00 PM: Nap.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner again.
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime: Regretting the beer. But, overall it was a great day.
Day 3: Departure (Dusseldorf Airport - Goodbye, Germany)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up to the familiar feeling of “I should have drunk less”. Breakfast. Check-out. Trying not to be too sad that it's over.
- Imperfection: Oh, I’m regretting the beer. The head. The stomach. But! Loved it and would do it again.
- 10:00 AM: Airport! Finding my gate. Praying the flight isn’t delayed. Mentally calculating how many pretzels I can smuggle onto the plane.
- Rambles: I saw a cat, almost missed my flight. Almost missed the train, and yet here it's the destination.
- 12:00 PM: Plane! Goodbye, Dusseldorf! Goodbye, Germany! You were weird. You were wonderful. I’ll be back. Eventually. After I've recovered from the jet lag and the beer.
So, that's it. My Dusseldorf adventure. Messy, full of questionable decisions, and slightly off-kilter, but undeniably mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need more coffee. And possibly a nap. And maybe a strong detox.
Escape to Paradise: Duck Cove Inn Awaits in Charming Margaree Harbour!
1. So, uh, what *is* this thing anyway? Are we talking about, like, a website? A life philosophy? A conspiracy theory I somehow got roped into?
Okay, okay, settle down. It's... *complicated*. Think of it as a digital brain dump, a collection of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Think of it as me, unfiltered. Think of it as a semi-organized rambling session disguised as a Frequently Asked Questions section. I told a friend this was about *[Insert Topic Here]* and I already changed my mind twice. Honestly, I'm making this up as I go along. So, yeah... website-ish, life-ish, and possibly bordering on conspiracy theory, depending on the day. We're all just trying to figure things out, right?
2. Who are *you*, actually? Are you some kind of super-intelligent AI? Or are you a slightly unhinged human with too much time on their hands?
Oh, honey, I wish I were a super-intelligent AI! Imagine the possibilities! Free time? Problem solved. No, I'm firmly planted in the realm of the slightly unhinged human. I have a job, I pay bills (ugh), and I have a *staggering* capacity for overthinking. I probably drink too much coffee. My cat is judging me right now because I haven't fed her. Basically, I'm a work in progress. I mess up, make dumb decisions, and get excited about the little things. Like a good cup of tea. That's me.
3. Okay, so, hypothetically speaking, let's say I *am* interested in this... thing. What am I going to find here? Like, what's the *point*?
The point? *The point*?! Okay, okay, deep breaths. Honestly, the point is... I don't know. Maybe there isn't one. Maybe it's just a chance to share some stories, maybe to connect with someone, maybe to vent. Maybe because there's a tiny voice in my head that keeps saying "write something!" I'll bore you with tales of triumphs (barely), failures (mostly), and the absurdities of everyday life. Expect random tangents, bursts of enthusiasm (followed by crushing self-doubt, naturally), and a healthy dose of sarcasm. You might find something you relate to. You might find yourself completely bewildered. Either way, you're in good company.
4. Can I just, like, *ask* you things? Get involved?
God, I hope so! Absolutely! Send me a message, leave a comment, yell into the void... whatever. I'm all ears. Or eyes, I guess, since it's the internet. I'm actually *dying* to hear from you. Really, I am. Unless you are annoying, in which case I'll probably just block you. But mostly, yes, please, interact! I need to know I'm not just talking to myself here.
5. What's the *deal* with the cat? Are we expecting a cat-related rant?
Oh, the cat. Her name is Mittens, by the way. And yes, there will probably be cat-related rants. Not on purpose, mind you, but she is the undisputed queen of my existence. She's currently judging my posture. (It's terrible, I know.) Expect stories about her epic naps, her demands for tuna, and her uncanny ability to disrupt any task I attempt. She is a furry, four-legged existential crisis, and I love her more than words can say. More than chocolate. (Maybe.)
6. Is there anything you *wouldn't* talk about? Like, super off-limits stuff?
Hmm, good question. Mostly, I'm an open book. Maybe a really badly written, slightly damp book. But there are lines, of course. I won't share confidential information (unless it's really juicy gossip, and I might... but don't tell anyone!), personal tragedies (unless it's relevant and I feel comfortable), or anything that could put people at risk. But other than that... bring it on! I'm a firm believer in honesty (even when it's embarrassing), and I'm not afraid to get a little raw. Unless it involves, say, my deep-seated fear of clowns. Then we're done.
7. Alright, alright, I'm intrigued. But like, what's the *worst* thing about this whole project? What keeps you up at night?
Oh, the worst thing. *The WORST*. Well, there are a few contenders. First, the crippling fear of no one reading this. I'm basically putting my soul out there and hoping someone, *anyone*, finds it. Second, the constant wrestling with self-doubt. "Is this any good?" "Am I making a complete fool of myself?" "Should I just delete the whole thing and go back to binge-watching cat videos?" Third... the technology. I'm not technically gifted. I mean, this *thing* took me longer than it should've to figure out. I once tried to upload a photo and accidentally deleted my entire hard drive. Okay, I didn't, but you get the idea.
8. Okay, so, you mentioned earlier you make this up at a whim. What if one day you just stop? Just completely disappear?
Oh, the fleeting mortality of all things. Look, I get it. I'm as fickle as the wind. One minute, I'm brimming with ideas, the next, I'm staring blankly at a wall, wondering what the heck I was even *thinking*. And yeah, there's a chance I'll just vanish. Maybe I'll get bored. Maybe life will get in the way. Maybe Mittens will finally convince me to become a professional cat-treat tester. But for now? I'm here. And that's something, right? We can't predict the future, not really. So, enjoy it while it lasts, okay? You never know when the internet gremlins will get bored of me and I will have no choice but to move on. Or, you know, just run out of tea.
9. Let's get specific. You mentioned "barely" triumphs. Any good story you can tell me?
