Best Hotels near Gedenkstätte Kessel, Cologne

Excellent location opposite the cathedral and very close to the main station. I had a single room on the top floor that had a balcony with an amazing view. Only negatives were no tea or coffee making facilities in the room and the reception staff downstairs were not particularly smiley or welcoming. I hadn’t paid for breakfast in advance but they should still have mentioned it to me as an option when I checked in.

This was my first time staying at a hostel as I wanted a bit of traveller experience and most importantly keep my trip to Cologne cheap and affordable for three days. I read tons of reviews before I opted to stay at a&o and I was convinced this was ideal place in terms of location, affordability and also getting the best experience as a traveller. On my arrival, I was greeted with a warm welcome by there friendly staff at reception, I quickly observed what they had to offer and in honesty not much, a small lounge area with a small bar but they did have a pool table...I didn't mind too much as I knew I would be out most of the day. I was told I be staying in a 6 bed room (mixed) which I was ok with as I wanted to meet people, I had to pay around 5 Euros for sheets and a towel as this is not included to my surprise. There was no locker but a secure cage under the bed and If I wanted to securely lock it I would had to pay a refundable 20 Euro deposit to get a padlock from reception. The room was ok, it was clean and had good lighting but space was limited. There was separate toilet and shower room which I felt was convenient and was kept in a good condition. During the night, I didn't really get the best of sleep as you can hear a lot of people talking and walking up and down the hall way. Also, it's a 24hr check in so therefore anyone could come stay in the room at anytime which sometime kept me restless. It's also worth mentioning, this hostel accommodates pretty much everyone, from couples, big groups, school trips and family which during my stay I saw plenty of. The hostel is in a good location, 10-20 mins walk and you will find yourself surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and in the central part of Cologne. My overall thoughts of staying at a&o is, it's a good place, friendly staff and pretty much everything at your doorstep. Not the best of sleeps I've had and knowing anyone could come in at any time was not ideal. I didn't always feel that my personal stuff was safe and secured but that's just me and I was a bit let down with the lack of facilities the hostel had to offer. I defiantly would recommend staying there if you come in a group but if alone no more than one night. Would I stay there again or at any hostel for that matter...probably not! If you're a hotel person like me then I would suggest to keep it like that.

This is not an ideal hotel at all. I would not give it anymore than a poor rating. The outer front of the hotel is awful and actually looks like it's closed. Very uninviting! On walking in, I was ”met” (not greeted) by a female member of staff who was OK (she did offer some conversation).... but not the most welcoming of people. I was kept waiting initially while she fetched someone else. In the meantime, I filled in some forms and a rather grumpy and disheveled looking person arrived. He mentioned I had to pay a fee for something but it wasn''t really clear what it was for. I reluctantly paid as it was only 4 euros and I didn't really understand German - had it been anymore, I would might have been more inclined to argue. The room (I was in 107) was frankly reminiscent of something from the Bates Motel. Very old furniture. The room was hot (I had to open the window) and although there was a TV, adequate WIFI, cleans towels etc - the standard was just frankly horrendous. I saw a pube on the wall in the bathroom! For this next part (I take partial responsibility as I WAS warned) but after 10 there is no reception which means you have to take your two keys with you. Now I stupidly assumed it was because the front door would be locked after 10. The real reason is because the hotel room door itself locks behind you. I walked out of the hotel room as I went to see if I could find someone to lend me a fan and the door locked behind me. Without anyone in reception, I was stranded late at night in the corridor. I had to physically climb out of the window and LUCKILY I had left my own open due to the hot weather.... otherwise I don't know what I would have done. I did NOT have the breakfast. It was included in the price but frankly everything seemed so sub-standard that I didn't want to risk it. Honestly, I know you get what you pay for but this wasn't even worth that and I paid approximately £50.

The hotel is quite central in Cologne. It also has probably given the possibility to breakfast directly in the hotel the reservation. However, already at the arrival, this was shown at the reception before and after me, there were probably noise differences between the bookings of the arrival guests and the understanding that only the German-speaking lady had at the reception. My colleague has clearly ordered breakfast with, but he had to call it loudly next morning. I myself, I'm very much in hotels on the way I've experienced extremely rarely that staff always strongly before yesterday each other disputes about courses that should be practiced. My room itself was awaiting and probably had the flair of the 1980s. Electric cable simply sticked to the wall, hoping that they would not solve again. In general, I would not book this hotel anymore. What the reason staff and guests are constantly crying negative.

The location is good, near cologne main train station and close to the river. it's very convenient. Rooms are big enough, but gyms kind of small. Hotel has is very big and like a shopping mall. I enjoyed my stay. Breakfast also good.

The location is very good, you can see the Cologne Cathedral and the Chain Bridge from the door, and it also has the best photo angle! The room is very clean and the bathroom is big. I like it very much. There are many guests and people come and go every day. It is convenient to call a taxi and it usually takes 1-2 minutes! There is no food or convenience store nearby, so you have to cross the chain bridge to get to the other side!

The (non-upgraded) room is relatively spacious, well designed and quiet. I'm glad I did not accept a higher cost upgrade option. It was great for a 4-day stay. There's a separate area for clothing and storage, and a small refrigerator. There was a wall of windows, good light and effective blackout curtains. The in-room coffee service is nice - I didn't find this in my other hotels. The breakfast buffet is worth the price, especially considering the quality, and that a single cup of coffee elsewhere can easily be 5 Euros. It's not a train station hotel (one mile away from the HBF and the Dom), but this hotel is in a very nice area, and is convenient to a great many dining and entertainment options for a Cologne tourist. It's not horrible to take the train here (with one connection) if you are reasonably mobile. Public transit options are many once you figure them out. The USB charging outlets are helpful -- and I did not find these in any other of my hotels. Overall, this chain is a significant step up from the likes of Ibis and Motel One. This hotel is very much worth the reasonable premium it charges. Desk staff was very friendly and helpful throughout my visit. I would happily return to this property.

Ich habe vom 28.02. auf den 01.03.23 in Zimmer 215 übernachtet. Der Checkin verlief schnell und freundlich. Leider erhielt ich die falsche Information bezüglich der Sauna- diese sollte bereits (15:30 Uhr) geöffnet sein. Als ich gegen kurz nach 17:00 Uhr in die Sauna wollte, heizte diese gerade erst auf. Das Zimmer war sauber und modern. Allerdings, bauartbedingt, sehr klein. Besonders das Badezimmer ist mini und bietet kaum Abstellflächen. Das WLAN ist recht stabil, stößt aber scheinbar Abends an seine Kapazitäten. Da dieses Zimmer zur Eingangsseite/ Straßenseite/ Parkplatzseite liegt, war es in den Morgenstunden recht laut - aber mit Ohropax konnte das Fenster geöffnet bleiben. An der Sauberkeit gibt es nichts auszusetzen. Leider fehltem dem TV viele TV Programme. Der Fitness-/ Saunabereich wirkt dagegen etwas lieblos und ist zudem nicht voneinander getrennt. Insgesamt ist der Bereich etwas in die Jahre gekommen. Das Abendessen war leider eine Katastrophe. Ich bestellte die knusprige Maispoulardenbrust auf Kirschtomatengemüse und Rösti. Erhalten habe ich eine trockene Poularde, ohne Knusperhaut und fettigen Reibekuchen. Ich habe nur etwas von der Poularde gegessen und den Teller zurückgehen lassen. Dies wurde vom Service zwar entschuldigt- mehr aber auch nicht. Beim bezahlen wurde der volle Preis von €17,50 berechnet. Auf Nachfrage, ob das ernst gemeint sei, erhielt ich nur JA als Antwort. Da ich, als Platin-Member bei Hotmiles, regelmäßig in H Hotels übernachte, kann ich sagen, dass die Küchenleistung in Brühl bisher am schlechtesten aller von mir besuchten H Hotels ist. Es gab nicht einmal die sonst üblichen Brottaler mit Dipps. Das Frühstück entsprach dem typischen H Hotels Standard und war gut. Schade nur, dass die Säfte aus Konzentrat und Wasser bestehen. Ich würde dieses Hotel wieder auswählen, allerdings einen großen Bogen um das Abendessen und den unkulanten Service dort machen.

It was a very modern and clean stay. The room was nice and soundproof when the windows were closed. The bed was not the most comfortable bed for a hotel and a little noisy as if there was a plastic wrapping. So every time there was movement it would wake the other person up. But overall would recommend giving it a try! We are light sleepers and it might have been just the mattress in our room.