Romantik Hotel-Restaurant Altenberger Hof

Surrounded by forest, this hotel sits opposite a breathtaking church in a delightful setting. It's a former monastery, apparently dissolved in Germany in 1803. The staff were friendly and helpful, and everything was run very efficiently. The restaurant was good too. It was about a 30-45 minute drive to Cologne, which made it a convenient base. After the bustle of the city, it was lovely to return to this peaceful spot, and it's also well placed for hiking in the local hills. Recommended.

The location is beautiful, the staff are friendly, and the food is excellent. The beds were clean, crisp, and comfortable, and I could hear the church bells starting at 6:30 am. But at 140 Euros for one night, I expected the room to be in top shape. The place felt run down: the sink was cracked, there was a cigarette burn on the nightstand, the stairwell carpet was worn, and the shower head wouldn't stay put, so I had to crouch.

This doesn't feel like the high-class hotel it used to be, with its white tablecloths. Breakfast was lacking, and although the rooms were clean, the TV didn't work properly during our stay.

The coffee was fine when we had it with waffles on the outdoor terrace, but the waffles were awful, especially with the really low-quality ice cream on top. It was overpriced too. People keep asking for a price list, but they never bring one. They seem to rely on having a monopoly there, which is really sad.