The Ascot Hotel Köln

The location was great, close to restaurants, bars, and city sights, and the hotel was clean with friendly staff. But for the price and its four-star rating, it felt basic. The listing made it seem like breakfast was included, but it wasn’t. There was confusion at check-in about our prepaid booking, and the room had very few amenities: a small shower with one all-in-one soap, no washcloths, just one pillow per person, no fridge, and only local TV channels. We paid about $200 a night, then saw that the usual rate is closer to $85. At that lower price, it would have met expectations. For what we paid, it felt overpriced.

The gummy bears on the bed were a thoughtful little touch. The hotel was reasonably clean and comfortable, and the price felt fair for what it offered.

The basement gym was massive, with loads of equipment, and I had a good workout there. It was boiling hot, though, with no air conditioning at all. The hotel is also close to shops and places to eat. I stayed one night after a late flight to cologne. Check-in was alright, but the man at the front desk was very casual and didn’t explain much. The room was clean and spacious, with no issues. The listing showed a sauna, but it’s only available a few days a week.

The breakfast buffet was well stocked, and staff were friendly and helpful. We dropped our bags off very early and they were happy to store them, even sending us off with takeaway coffee from the buffet. The rooms were a good size, clean, and tidy. Tea or coffee facilities in the room would have been nice, though we weren’t there enough to miss them. We picked this hotel for a quick weekend break because the price was reasonable and the decor suited my horse obsession. There are lots of cafes and bars nearby, and the room was remarkably quiet despite facing the main street near a nightclub. It’s an easy walk to the riverfront or a quick hop on the nearby UBahn. I’d stay again.