The Best Budget Hotels in Cologne

This affordable hotel in the Old Town on the banks of the Rhine River is ideal for business travellers. It’s within walking distance (across the Hohenzollern Bridge) of Koelnmesse, the international trade fair and exhibition centre, and Schildergasse, the main shopping street. There’s 24-hour check-in and a buffet breakfast with an assortment of meat, cheeses, fruit and pastries. The cosy rooms are dog-friendly; your canine companion can stay for just €5 (34.35) per night.

It doesn’t get much more convenient than this city-centre hotel, located opposite Cologne Cathedral and just a two-minute walk to the main railway station. There are 77 rooms, featuring contemporary furniture and stylish hardwood timber floors. The Junior Suite on the top floor has unbeatable views of the cathedral’s spires. Next door, you’ll find the Brauhaus Früh am Dom, a traditional brewhouse that dates back to 1904. The medieval vaults, now a cellar bar, serve local Kölsch beer and halve hahn (rye bread topped with butter, cheese, mustard, onions and pickles).

This three-star hotel, in the inner-city Belgian Quarter, has 190 rooms. If you’re travelling on a budget, book an economy room, which is simply but comfortably furnished and ideal for short stays or solo travellers; if you’re on business, book a room with a desk. Two spacious suites, arranged over two floors, feature a work space, living room with floral furnishings, spacious bedroom and a marble bathroom. Breakfast is served in the dining room or courtyard and there are options for vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diners.

This large, four-star hotel by the Rhine River has 204 contemporary rooms, including connecting rooms for families and groups, alongside a well-equipped gym with fitness machines, sauna and steam bath and conference facilities for business travellers. Breakfast is buffet-style, with hot dishes available. The Mediterraneo Restaurant takes inspiration from Italy, France, and Spain. There’s also a bar that opens onto a terrace, with Sky Sports showing on the television for fans.

This charming hotel, situated in the heart of Altstadt (old town), is less than a 15-minute walk to eight Romanesque churches and 10 of the biggest museums in the city. Choose from a cosy single room, spacious double rooms, a two-level junior suite or expansive family suite. The breakfast buffet features produce from local farmers and producers such as cheeses, sausages, organic eggs, honey and fresh fruit.

The simple facade of this hotel, in the city centre, conceals a country-chic retreat offering spacious rooms with rattan furniture, a bar, gym, sauna and meeting rooms. A buffet breakfast of freshly-baked breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, jam, cereals and fruit is served beneath colourful glass chandeliers in the Pergola restaurant. While it might feel a world away from the city, it’s close to Cologne Central station and the Schildergasse shopping street.

The 165 colourful rooms of this conveniently located hotel have bright feature walls and vibrant striped carpets, as well as comfortable furnishings that will make guests feel at home. The comfort rooms are the most affordable option, but guests can also book spacious superior rooms or splurge on the junior suite, which has a balcony. Business travellers can make use of nine fully-equipped meeting rooms, and there’s also a wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna and fitness facilities. Enjoy a meal at Vinci Restaurant or a drink in the bar, chill-out lounge or terrace.

Looking for a self-catering apartment with the conveniences of a hotel? This pet-friendly aparthotel is just a few minutes walk from the cathedral and features studios and apartments, each with a fully-equipped kitchen, for up to four guests. There’s a colourful communal lounge with comfy seating, a piano, football table and plenty of books, and if you don’t feel like cooking you can order breakfast. Guests also get access to a small on-site fitness centre and car parking.

Conveniently located near the Lanxess Arena, and just 10 minutes from the city centre, this pet-friendly hotel features 109 air-conditioned rooms, including family rooms with a bunk bed that can accompany up to four people. Each room features crisp white linens, colourful curtains and a pop-art mural of the city above the bed. A buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant and there are vending machines offering drinks and snacks in the lobby.