Hotel Tempelhof - City-Messe-Arena

I arrived around 10 pm to find the reception empty and the windows dark. The key was in a code locker, which was fine, but getting my heavy luggage up those narrow, winding stairs was a losing battle. There’s no elevator, and I couldn’t carry everything upstairs. If I’d known about the stairs, I would’ve chosen another hotel. Don’t book this place with heavy luggage unless you can deadlift three times your own weight, or you’re traveling light.

The rooms were very clean, and the hotel had the amenities I needed. It’s a modest place with a family business feel, and the owners were really friendly. Breakfast was surprisingly good, with a smaller selection but good quality. In my opinion, it’s much better to choose a small business like this than a big hotel chain.

Shops are only two minutes away, and the location is close to everything. The hotel is very basic, though. Breakfast was included and basic, but better than nothing, especially since it cost less than a hostel. That was about it: there was no double bed in the room, it was impossible to communicate with the receptionist, and everything seemed old.

The location is good, but Cologne gets crazy around the trade show calendar, and I paid 500 EURO for three nights in a regular double. Breakfast was supposed to be included, but a guy just said they were starting renovation tomorrow and there would be no breakfast at all. Better get breakfast at the nearby train station. Call ahead if you’ll arrive late, especially by plane from the airport, because reception closes around 18-19. They won’t read emails at all.