Hotel Flandrischer Hof - Cologne, Germany 

Has gone downhill.
Posted: Sun, Jul 06 2008
Have stayed here 4 times over the past 4 years to visit the Christmas Markets. I have had no problems with the hotel during previous years, however I found the hotel unpleasant during my last stay. The corridor outside my room were very smoky from cigarettes which leaked into our room. The music from the bar kept us awake until past 2-3am. Also the breakfast room during each of the 4 days we stayed was very busy with no available seating, we tried visiting at different times of the morning but still found it full and went without the breakfast we'd already paid for. I think the problem with the breakfast room was that 2/3's of the seating had been sectioned off and there was always plenty of available seating in that section but only guests staying on business were permitted to sit there. However a big plus to the hotel is the location, it's just around the corner from one Christmas market and only a 30 minute walk from the furthest Christmas market. Also the hotel has always been very clean with very pleasant staff. I wouldn't stay here again.

Small Hotel, even smallerservice attitude
Posted: Sun, Apr 06 2008
Cologne is such a fun town and the people are uniquely cosmopolitain and friendly for Germany. Again, another website that promises more than it delivers. Here, this hotel could theoretically meet expetation if the front desk and service staff were "pleasant". But if you are in town for other things you tend to forgive quickly.... unless something happens. If you arrive with a car, Take Care! Their neighbouring underground garage is a real challenge. Knowing this I asked when checking out if I could drive up and leave the car in front of the hotel while having a quick word with friends in the breakfast room. "Of course, it is Sunday morning we will keep an eye on it". Well, three weeks later came the parking ticket. The hotel manager promply replied to my email concern, and of course backing up the receptionists...without even checking with them. (I will just presume this because she answered so fast). Mistakes happen - and the ticket doesnt really bother. But this sort of attitude, for ?90 oder ?490 is what keeps making a travel experience an experience.

Christmas Treat
Posted: Wed, Jan 09 2008
Stayed for four nights at the beginning of December on the third floor agree with others there was a bit of noise from the night club but didn't find it overly annoying. The hotel is split into two parts, one with a lift direct to the floors the other with about 20 steps to the lift. , fine once you have taken your cases up. The staff spoke english, were very friendly and helpful. A wide choice for breakfast and very central. We had a view of the Rudolfplatz christmas market from our window and it is within easy walking distance of Neumarkt and the tram system, the front of the hotel is in a back street but Rudolfplatz is the nearest tram/tube stop. Would recommend for christmas trips the markets are something everyone who loves christmas and shopping should experience. Would stay again.