Barcelo Cologne City Center (ex Crowne Plaza)

A good hotel experience

I stayed here when it was Crown Plaza. It looks like they bought everything lock stock and barrel and found its a bit costly to upkeep. Nonetheless I cant knock the service and lovely staff. Nice comfy room with soft yet starchy pillows. Cologne has a good tram system, so it doesnt matter where you stay, but this hotel is well placed for eating out. I recommend the Curry deluxe across the way, for a well priced local fayre with a chilli kick

Traveller's tip on dining

This hotel is well placed for eating out. I recommend the Curry deluxe across the way, for a well priced local fayre with a chilli kick

Could Use Some Attention

This was not a bad hotel, or hotel experience – but it does merit some comments. The hotel did not have the power adapter they assured me they had; I had to walk the whole neighborhood to find an adapter I needed for my CPAP Machine. Now that is an important device for me to have, and the one I brought was defective. I found one about 2k (walk) away at a competing hotel where they were on display. It was the only one I found too; I must have checked a dozen stores and shops. Several in-house brochures praised the restaurant however; I did not feel as though it lived up to the pricy bill of fare. My room was clean, but lacked a mini-bar; and the television was broken. They sort-of fixed it but I read, and practiced my German on the computer. One annoying little article was the comforter – it was too small for the bed and that is just maddening for a guy over six-feet-tall. The concierge was the worst, he would not get me a cab, and he just kept telling me how close a walk it was! Who tries to get a lazy American to walk or ride a bike?

standard rooms felt very dated

hotel staff the most unhelpful I’ve ever dealt with. except the chap who looks after the fitness (warning you have to pay 4 euros for the sauna - everything else is free). Was a very good deal (3 for 2) but standard rooms felt very dated. also no tea/coffee making facilities - i expect this as standard in any hotel room esp a so called 4* In a good area for nightlife / university / park. Also very close to a tram and underground stop – this should get you to most places with one maybe two connections.

upgrade your room for 18euros at hotel- if you get a good deal it might be worth it. cologne isn’t massive - good transportation but easily walk-able in the summer head for the park not far from this hotel for the most amount of bbq’s you’ll probably see at any one time head to the Claudius Therme