Hotel An der Philharmonie

Nothing was particularly wrong with the place, but there wasn’t much that stood out either. It’s functional and simple, with some visible wear, and felt neither luxurious nor especially charming. The bathroom view was a little unsettling because the thin curtains didn’t give much privacy. A few details seemed odd: recycled tissues alongside white toilet paper, a noisy fridge, and shoe sponges but no face pads. It was an okay stay, just not my cup of tea.

The staff were wonderful when we stayed over the summer and went out of their way to help. I also accidentally left my wallet in the room safe when heading to another city in Germany. They sent it express to me, free of charge, and it arrived in under 48 hours. Really good people and a great place. You won’t be disappointed.

I stayed overnight for a piano concert at the Kolner philharmonie and found the hotel handy for the station and the places I wanted to see, including the Kolmer dom, Hohenzollern bridge, biang biang noodle restaurant, and boba shops. The staff were welcoming, and I had a nice single room. The bed was small, but I slept well. There’s no electric kettle in the room, though you can ask for one. I’d recommend it for a quick visit to the attractions in the area.

It’s about a five-minute walk to Central Station, and close to both the cathedral and the Rhine. The staff were friendly and made us feel welcome, and breakfast had a good variety. The room was a little hot, but they provided a fan. I would have liked tea-making facilities, though it wasn’t a major issue, and the mini bar was useful for keeping water cold. I’d happily return and recommend it to anyone visiting Cologne.