Hyatt Regency Cologne

The best part of this property was the staff: smart, capable, classy, and welcoming. Check-in felt warm and effortless, with no fuss. In-room dining arrived in under 20 minutes, exactly as promised, and requests never left us waiting around. The breakfast buffet was lovely too, and the restaurant staff were welcoming without being pushy or putting on airs. Their service felt seamless and truly five-star. The hotel sits right across the Rehin river, with a panoramic view of the Cologne cathedral. I've stayed at plenty of fancy hotels with high prices and pretentious vibes, but Hyatt Regency Cologne felt one of a kind. Thank you!

The location is great and iconic, the rooms are spacious, clean, and well equipped, and the staff are professional and efficient. Breakfast has a fantastic range of options. The minibar could perhaps have had more choices, though. The spa was the biggest disappointment. I saw outside clients enter the Turkish steam bath wearing flip-flops, which is unhygienic and a possible source of fungi. I was also harassed by ‘two old witches’ when I went in wearing shorts, and they made a fuss about it. There were abandoned towels in the sauna as well. Letting damp, used towels pile up can lead to microorganisms, odors, and dampness, so hygiene should come first when enforcing a policy. The spa area was very cold, especially the swimming pool, which didn't seem adequately heated. Some clients left the door open as they went out, making the cold even worse when all you want is to relax and feel well. The Turkish bath needs more heat, and the jacuzzi could be better too: there are few sprinkles, and the air massage is so gentle you can hardly feel it.

I usually avoid writing negative reviews because I hope hotels will sort out problems smoothly, but check-in today was far below what I expect from a five-star property. I had to return to reception three times before I finally got a room on the fourth floor. First they assigned me a connecting room I didn't want, then another connecting room on the first floor. The room I eventually received hadn't been cleaned properly. The bathroom amenities were open, there was hair on the sink, and both the bedsheets and mattress sheet were clearly used. I reported it to reception and went out for dinner while they said housekeeping would handle it. An hour and a half later, only the bathroom had been cleaned, and the sheets were still unchanged. Reception said housekeeping had left and could only send sheets for me to replace myself. One staff member kindly helped, although it wasn't his responsibility. The cleanliness, room readiness, and communication were all well below expectations. A very disappointing check-in.

The room was unusually large for a standard king, so we had plenty of space. Robes and slippers were a nice touch. It's a fantastic Hyatt property, especially if you're after one of the most picturesque views in the world. The bridge is about a 10-12 minute walk away, and it can get pretty cold in winter. We didn't mind walking, though when we walked across town a few times, we took an affordable Uber back.