I had a long stay in Koln (6+ months) and needed somewhere to stay. The rooms in the top floor have been converted into suites with a small cooker, three rooms and a balcony. This was ideal and much better than staying in a (any) hotel room for a long period.

A bit of a walk into town, nothing too taxing, close to the river and quiet.

Clean rooms, a small bar and parking underneath the hotel.

when you're looking for an upscale but affordable hotel next to the city centre. Quiet rooms facing the courtyard. Unsurpassable breakfast buffet.
Stayed there before, didn't look any further the next time.

Stayed at the Mercure Hotel Severinshof over NYE for 3 nights.

The positives: Its very clean, and conveniently located for all that Cologne has to offer. The Rose wine sold at the bar is also very nice. The rooms are of a fair size.

The negatives: The standard rooms have no tea or coffee making facilities. And if you ask room service for a coffee, they will not bring it to the room, you have to go down and get it. The breakfast is appallingly overpriced and is a total rip off. We had booked a room excluding breakfast. On New Years Day after a good night out we thought lets enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. On entering the breakfast room, we were pounced on. Not to seat us or ask us if we wanted a tea or coffee, but to ask if we had already paid for breakfast. We said no, and were happy to pay. She explained it was €17. I thought that was expensive, but was tired, and thought if it was for two people then maybe it might not be so bad. More fool me. We placed ourselves at an empty table. We waited for someone to prepare the table, but it became clear no one was going to. So we got up and started helping ourselves at the buffet. As we sat down, still at a table with no knives, forks, mats, or even the offer of a tea or coffee, the waitress pounced on us with a form for us to sign for the breakfast. It was €17 per person, costing us €34 in total for breakfast that morning. The breakfast was average, nothing special, but edible, with non-existent service. I think that €34 for breakfast is an absolute rip off, and is to date the most expensive breakfast I have ever had in my life. When I complained, both at the time, and on check-out, they did not seem bothered in the slightest. They just wanted me to sign on the dotted line. In addition, the bathroom in the room we stayed in was very tired and in need of some TLC. But to be fair it was clean. Oh, and there is no free WI-FI as advertised.

Overall, I'm not sure if this hotel is claiming to be 4 star, but to me it felt more like an average to poor 3 star hotel. A shame, as it has much going for it in terms of location and room size. If the hotel wants to charge high prices then you need to feel like you are getting some form of high quality product or service in return. Unfortunately, with this hotel you just feel like you are being taken for a ride. In summary, only book if you get a good discount and avoid the breakfast unless it is included in the room rate or you get a special offer. There are plenty of other places to eat in Cologne that offer much better value.

Our 3 night stay at this hotel was a travel event package over the New Year; for that reason I cannot comment on the value for price.
We had a pre-arranged buffet dinner upon our arrival, however the eating time was open over a 3-hour period. This wonderful diversity of food set the stage for the rest of our stay. Breakfasts were also buffet style in the main dining room with the banquet room available for spillover. The breakfast buffet was excellent - a wide choice of juices, cereals, breads, coffees, teas and hot foods. Although our New Year's Eve gala was elsewhere, the bar stayed open to welcome us back shortly after 1 am. We also had the occasion to frequent the bar at other times and the service and friendliness were excellent. Perhaps a downside for the French-speaking cohorts of +450 travelers, only German and English were spoken.
Although in the middle of the construction of a new metro, the Severinshof is only a 15 minute walk to the cathedral and shopping area.Bus service is right outside the door as is the tram- the noise of which does not penetrate the walls of the hotel. A closed-in courtyard invites those who prefer to eat or drink outside - not possible during our rainy stay!
The hotel reminds me of a military compound, being square with the courtyard in the center. The advantage of this is that while some rooms overlook various areas of the city, others have the peaceful tranquility of the courtyard to view.

Both the room and bathroom were spacious with the desk and seating area beside the bed rather than at the end. Unfortunately the heater was under the window behind the heavy curtains; in order to get heat one had to lift the curtain up over the chair. The curtain was not affixed at the end of the rod resulting in several hooks falling off. The opaque glass bathroom door was somewhat perturbing, leaving little to no privacy either for sound or light. Requiring to get up during the night, one either stayed in the dark or wake their partner with the bathroom light. The room was very comfortable and clean.
I would highly recommend this hotel...for everything, and will definitely return!