Brandenburger Hof

For £62, this was a great budget option in a prime spot. We were visiting Germany for the first time, and the hotel is an easy walk from the central station and cathedral. The man who checked us in was warm and made us feel welcome. The rooms are basic but spotless and had all the essentials. Bathrooms are shared, so check that before booking. We had the top floor to ourselves, which made it fine for us. Breakfast was limited to tea, coffee, apples, yoghurts, and pastries. Our vegan friend could only eat an apple. If all you need is somewhere to sleep, it’s perfect for the price.

A fair price for a great location, and the receptionist was very friendly. The rooms were clean and quite spacious. The main drawbacks were the shared bathroom and shower for the floor, though they were pretty clean, and having no elevator to take luggage upstairs.

The staff were wonderfully helpful, from guiding me into the tight private parking area to helping us find our way around the city. The location is stupendous, straight across from the train station and cathedral, and the price felt fair. We’ve come to Cologne five times, and this no-frills place was just what we needed for a bed at night. There was free parking too. The rooms were clean but dated, which I expected in an old, possibly historic hotel. I liked its traditional feel and would stay again.

The private room with its own bathroom was comfortable and seemed recently updated. The breakfast was great, with all the usual choices, and there are plenty of food options nearby. Major attractions in Cologne are within walking distance. Everyone was helpful, from giving us detailed parking directions at check-in to escorting our car out when we checked out. The service and location were excellent. Just keep in mind this is a hostel and hotel, so book the private room if that’s what you want. There’s no elevator, so expect to carry your bags upstairs.