Hostel Heinzelmännchen

There’s no reception, and you get the keys from a machine using a code. My small single room was comfortable and quiet, with a strong hot shower. The motel is in Altstadt Cologne, less than a ten-minute walk from the Cathedral, Central station, and shopping. It’s basic but good for the price. There’s no lift, so expect to carry your bags upstairs, and there are decent coffee shops nearby for breakfast.

Read the hotel’s emails carefully before you arrive. There’s no one on site, check-in is fully automated, and you get the entry code by email. The third-party booking website said I could pay on arrival, but payment was online only, and that information seems outdated. Go by what the hotel emails say. The room itself was clean and tidy, with a private bathroom, shower, and balcony. It was good value for the low price, with fast Wi-Fi and lots of shops and restaurants nearby. The neighborhood seemed safe. Towels and a hairdryer were free too, which some places charge for.

We stayed for three days to see a concert, and the hotel worked perfectly for that. The room was cozy and clean, close to the central station, grocery and clothing stores, cafes, restaurants, and the Chocolate Museum. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the station, and the price was affordable. I didn’t taste breakfast. There’s no lift.

The night entrance was great, and we never saw a receptionist. The place was very clean and reasonably quiet, right in the middle of Altstadt. At night the street gets busy with sex workers and homeless people, but I never felt unsafe.