Essential by dorint Art Cologne

There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and Lidl is just around the corner. Breakfast was fresh, all-you-can-eat, and had a decent range. Inside, the hotel feels welcoming, the staff are helpful, and they switch easily between German and English. The rooms are plain but practical. The outside isn't much to look at, and there's a lot of construction around the area. The main thing we missed was a way to make hot drinks in the room. A cup of tea before heading out in the morning would've been nice.

Breakfast was generous, and everyone on staff was really friendly. We upgraded to a suite on the 7th floor and were lucky enough to get one with an amazing rooftop terrace overlooking the whole city. It's a beautiful little hotel, and we loved our stay. If we're in Cologne again, we know where we're going.

The breakfast needs work: fresh-squeezed orange juice instead of canned, fresh rolls rather than take-and-bake ones, and eggs and bacon cooked fresh would all be better. I paid extra to upgrade to a Deluxe Double Room, but after check-in we were sent to a separate building outside, which hadn't been mentioned beforehand. The room felt cold and bare, with a concrete floor and hard white laminate surfaces. We couldn't get the thermostat to make a difference. At reception I was told we'd actually been upgraded to a superior room, but it didn't match the pictures on our confirmation or the online booking photos. Those showed softer furnishings, including a leather chair, a leather-covered exercise pommel, and a wood-look floor. The receptionist assured me our room was better and four-star, but we travel often and it wasn't what we expected from a four-star hotel.

The breakfast staff remembered how we liked our coffee each day, even with plenty of other guests around. Those little touches made the visit special. Burns was very clean, with lovely interiors, large rooms, free parking, and an excellent breakfast. It's also close to the center. It feels like a three-star hotel that makes you wonder why it isn't rated four, the reverse of what often happens with four-star places. We had a great time!