We (2 x couples) stayed at the Ascot as part of a Christmas market break from Friday 9th to Monday 12th December 2011.

The hotel is a lovely old 19th century building on the edges of the old town of Cologne. It looks to be one of the few in the area that survived the wartime bombing. It is a tall, narrow, ornate building that has been very tastefully restored. It is small (44 rooms only) and fairly intimate. It has a cozy and personal feel to it that is sometimes missing from larger hotels.

Good points: Our rooms were excellent. Both were very spacious with a small sitting area and vestibule for hanging up coats, boots etc. Each has a mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities (not as common as the British would like in continental hotels), trouser press, safe etc. All the things you'd expect from a 4 star hotel.

There was plenty of cupboard and drawer space and the furniture was very compatible with the overall ambience of the building. The rooms were kept spotlessly clean with maid service every morning. The staff were all very friendly and helpful.

The hotel also has a fairly extensive gym and sauna (not used by us) and a very small bar for guests. It is pretty handy for walking access to the city centre in about 10 mins. Just around the corner is the Paffgen brewery, the only remaining city brewery to produce and sell beer to its customers on the premises. If you like German food and drink this is very much the place to be.

Down Points: It is located in the middle of the "entertainment" part of Cologne. If your under 25 then that is pretty much a plus. If your our age (50), then not so much.

Loads of bars with luminescent strip lighting, offers of "Gang Bang Saturday nights" and SKY sports blasting from the enevitable televisions in the corner in the vicinity. With the resultant young human booze casualties clogging up the streets as the evenings get later at the weekend. Even if you don't speak a word of German, anyone from the UK will recognise the town centre alchohol abuse warzone instantly from home. A tad intimidating if you like to stroll quietly back to your hotel after dinner - although in mitigation, we had rooms overlooking the main bar street and didn't hear a thing once the windows had been closed over.

Breakfast was also a bit of a bust on one day. Waiting 45 minutes before anyone asked us for our tea/coffee order. Granted it was especially busy, and the 2 young managers trying to cope with the ravenous hordes did their best. But for a 4 star hotel you'd really expect better.

All in all a bit of a gem if you like personal, small and very cozy hotels, but don't linger in the surrounding area too long after dark.


T

Just got back from cologne and can really recommend this hotel , the staff were really helpful , the rooms were large and very clean , only draw back is there is only the news Channel in English on tv, but we were not there to watch tv so it didn't matter .
There is a laptop in the lobby with Internet connection (free) for public use , the free gym is excellent and the sauna is really good too (towels supplied) .
The rooms have a kettle , trouser press, phone , free safe , air con , tv and iron on request .
Breakfast is continental but very nice with plenty of variety .
The hotel is well located just 200m from the underground ( fritzenplazel) underground tram 5 from the main train staition costs €1.70 for a single ticket and fritzenplazel is the second stop.
If you are flying in and are catching the train from the airport to cologne then you need to catch the s13 db train costs €2.50 for a single ticket and takes 14 mins , note if you buy a db train ticket and you board the ice train which costs €7.50 for a ticket and get caught you will face a large fine .
Recommend you go to the top of the Dom €3 well worth it for a view of the city .

We choose the Ameron Ascot through reviews on Tripadvisor and were not dissapointed. Upon approach by car to the hotel, we had a hard time seeing the entrance, LOL. Once inside, we were greeted warmly by the staff. The room was large, clean, and well appointed. Bed was great. It is only a 10 minute walk to the Dom. Many restaurants around from which to choose. Plenty of nightlife too, but we had a room on the backside of the hotel (with a nice balcony) and did not have any issues with noise.

Breakfast was very good too. Would stay there again without hesitation.

We booked the Ameron Ascot hotel because of location to family living in the Belgium Quarter nearby. We had a warm welcome from reception and our room was very spacious with teamaking facilities,trouser press. couch,desk and coffee table. The windows open which was a bonus and with the windows closed at night we heard no noise. A bright breakfast room with an adequate breakfast and obliging staff. We had a very comfortable stay there and found the atmosphere to be warm and welcoming. It is easy walking distance to the cathedral and main city. I recommend this hotel to anyone. We stayed in a comfort double room 601.