Black Hotels Cologne

The room was dusty, the air conditioner barely worked, and cleanliness was questionable. Worst of all, water was literally dripping from the ceiling near what looked like a fire alarm or sprinkler. The building seemed poorly maintained. Broken fixtures, dirty surfaces, and exposed ceiling panels lined the hallways, and the room doors had sagged so badly you had to lift them by hand to close them. The corridors were dark, hot, claustrophobic, and had no ventilation. There was no staff around in the evening, no food or bar, and the surroundings were dead quiet, with not a person in sight after dark. Breakfast was cramped too: six guests had only 10 seats available, at a hotel that claims to have 27+ rooms. This absolutely didn't feel like a 4-star experience. The online photos make the place look luxurious, but that impression disappears at check-in. If you care about hygiene, safety, or even a functioning hotel, look elsewhere. I sincerely hope management takes this seriously, or a new owner comes along and finally shows how it's done.

The lobby was beautiful and comfortable, and the staff were very nice. We were warmly welcomed in the morning and got incredibly delicious croissants and coffee. The rooms are spacious and nicely furnished, but there wasn't enough light in the bathroom for my taste. Our room also felt short on atmosphere. A little carpet or lamps for warmer, cozier light could help. Still, it was a nice stay overall.

The rooms had the same beautiful, atmospheric feel as the rest of Black Hotels, and the staff were genuinely pleasant and accommodating. We got a room upgrade, which was a nice surprise. At reception they asked about parking and offered us water or coffee, a thoughtful welcome after the journey. It was easy to find, with public transport about a five-minute walk away and Cologne Centre around 20 minutes away. On checkout day I kept working in the lobby/bar, and the staff continued to offer refreshments. I really enjoyed our stay and would come back if I return to Cologne.

The mezzanine bathtub was the standout feature of our huge room. The bed was great, everything was clean, and the service was very friendly. It’s in a good part of Cologne too. I’d definitely recommend it.