Motel One Köln-Neumarkt

The location worked really well for us, with shops and tram stops nearby and most of the places we wanted to visit within walking distance. The room was small, but had what we needed, and the bed was very comfortable. Sarah at reception was lovely, and the breakfast team were friendly, funny, and attentive. The bar service in the evening was the one weak point. I’d recommend staying here.

Being right by the Grand Cathedral, central market plaza, and main station made getting around by train very convenient. I booked “The One” room for a two-week holiday. Cologne may feel sleepy to some, but everyone has their reasons, and the room made a useful base, especially around Christmas and New Year. The shower was my main annoyance. It’s small and has no door, so with long hair I ended up splashing water around. Housekeeping also came at very different times, from 9am to 5pm, with one visit at 2pm. We were on the fifth floor. The room was serviceable and the hotel was, too. I’d put it at about 3.8 out of 5, close to 4 depending on how you look at it.

We were there for the Christmas market, and all the markets were an easy walk away. It’s also handy for public transport and a busy shopping street. The hotel was clean, the staff were very friendly, and the place itself was really nice. Breakfast was okay, too.

The breakfast host was especially welcoming and friendly to everyone. We arrived around 08:30 and got a nice table, but soon after that the room became so busy there was a long queue to be seated. At around €18, breakfast didn’t feel worth the price: there were hardly any hot choices, just boiled eggs, with no scrambled eggs, bacon, or baked beans. The room was very small and smelled stuffy, and the mattress sagged a bit. The TV only offered screen mirroring for streaming shows or movies. There was no water in the room, so we had to ask for some. For €135 per night, that felt a bit too basic for a motel without direct access to the parking garage. The location is a real plus for the Christmas markets and shopping, and there’s a parking garage next door.