Buchholz Downtown Hotel

The location is great, right in the city centre, and the price was good. It's a lovely traditional hotel with nicely furnished rooms and a decent breakfast. There were a few small problems with the fixtures, but they didn't take away from our stay. Highly recommended.

The breakfast was a real bonus, really tasty, and the staff were friendly. We also loved how close the hotel was to the train station, cathedral, and centre of Cologne. Our room was spacious, the bed was comfy, and everything was spotlessly clean. We stayed for 3 nights and had a great time.

Breakfast was fine, with a small but okay continental selection, and the welcoming woman preparing it was nice. Check-in went smoothly too, with an automatic code for the safe where the keys were kept. The room was tiny, though, and there was no air conditioning. A little fan didn't do much in the heat. The sink was beside the bed, and the power cable wasn't easy to reach, so I had to unplug the lamp to move it next to the bed. For a decent price, I expected something like this, but I'd only recommend it for a short stay.

The only real downside was that my room faced the front and sat right beside the hotel's neon sign. It kept me awake for a while, and darker curtains would have helped. I arrived late, though, and the hotel had left my key in a safe outside the door, which was a good idea. It's central and easy to get around from, and the room was clean and comfortable. The breakfast selection was excellent. The photo is Cologne Cathedral.