Germany's fourth-largest city, and the largest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne boasts both a fascinating history and a thriving modern industrial and business scene.
For leisure travellers, highlights include the stunning Gothic cathedral, the city's 12 Romanesque churches and its medieval city gates, not to mention the annual comedy festival.
Check out some of the best
hotels in Cologne.
Barcelo Cologne City Centre
As its name suggests, the Barcelo Cologne City Centre is ideally-located in the heart of this major German city, in the famous Rudolfplatz.
As such, guests are within walking distance of most of the city's main landmarks, including the Dom, the Gothic cathedral and the Neumarkt, while for business travellers the Convention Centre is just two stops by the tram that alights right outside the hotel foyer.
The hotel is a popular choice among travellers heading to Cologne for its world-famous Christmas markets due to its central location, though year-round guests are able to benefit from amenities such as an in-house fitness centre offering Turkish baths and saunas, a lounge area and bar, a restaurant and meeting and conferencing facilities.
Burns Art Hotel
Not only one of the best-located hotels in Cologne, but also easily one of the most-stylish too, the Burns Art Hotel offers guests a refreshing change from the usual big-name chains at a reasonable price.
Housed in an historic building in the heart of Cologne yet decked out with cutting-edge decor and art, the hotel is ideal for business travellers, with guests offered all the facilities they could need, including wireless internet access and excellent links to the city's business hub and airport.
For leisure travellers, or just those business guests keen to see more of this fascinating German city than meeting rooms and conference halls, the hotel is just a ten-minute stroll from the Konigsallee shopping mile as well as tourist highlights such as the City Hall and the Great St Martin Church. The hotel is also well-placed for guests travelling to Cologne to take in a show or handball game at the nearby Lanxess Arena.
In addition to serving a hearty Continental-style breakfast to guests in its historic cellar, the hotel also boasts its own Thai restaurant, though guests looking to enjoying more local fare are just a short
distance from numerous bars and restaurants.
Best Western Hotel Cologne
The four-star Best Western in the centre of Cologne offers guests the chance to kick back and relax after a day exploring the bustling city or attending meetings.
Boasting thoroughly-modern facilities, the hotel's 188 rooms have been fitted with contemporary decor with an emphasis on light, with guests able to make use of air-conditioning, wireless internet access and pay-TV.
The hotel's central location means it is within easy travelling distance of tourist highlights including the city's zoo, the cathedral and the famous Claudius Spa at the Rhinepark.
However, for those guests keen to stay in and relax, the hotel also boasts its own 'wellness area', which includes saunas, a roof terrace and a gym, in addition to an acclaimed restaurant and bar.
