Unpretentious, rather old-fashioned but very adequate hotel within easy walking distance of the Dom and other sights. Don’t be put off by the grim,dingy frontage. Although not the most salubrious location - gay sex shop just down the road – the area is unthreatening in our experience, despite the odd weirdo and beggar. Blissfully quiet at night (a big plus in our book), partly because our room was at the back and partly thanks to some amazing town planning that has virtually banished traffic from the city centre. (Just watch out for the bikes, which are everywhere.) Room and facilities were a bit ‘80s but perfectly adequate for a short stay. Good breakfast, pleasant staff. As it was very hot during our stay, particularly on the top floor (no AC, of course), we requested and were supplied with a brand new Rowenta fan. So overall, very satisfactory. Good value for money.

Hotel Esser is a good choice if you want to stay fairly close to downtown. Even though the room was clean and clearly set up for business travelers, it was a little too hot. The staff was extremely friendly and professional. The hotel served a nice breakfast buffet-style.

Family-run hotel, now part of the Minotel group.

From the hotel it's a 10 minute walk to the main shopping area and a 5 minute walk to the Dom. Lots of cafés (Stube) nearby.
Tram (U-bahn) is a 2 minute walk , bus stop right across the hotel going to the city center.

Overall, we are positive about the hotel, but as a young couple (age 30) we found the design of the rooms a little "old". With old we mean the curtains with the "flowery Laura Ashley-design", the carpet,... All beds in the hotel are twins, which for us was a little dissapointing. Room was equiped with minibar, hairdryer, tv including English channels. All very clean, good size. Staff very friendly and helpful.

We stayed on the 3rd floor and this floor was newly renovated. Rooms on the first and second floor are yet to be renovated and are apparently a lot smaller.
Do ask for a room away from the elevator, as it's quite noisy and for those light sleepers amongst us, it can be quite disturbing. Then again our 2nd night, the elevator was "under repair". I found out more people complained about it, that's why it was shut down from 10 pm till 8 am ...

Breakfast is quite extensive for a 3-star hotel, hot and cold, pleasant surprise.
Hotel also has parking (Tiefgarage) for 11 euro a day.
Be aware that if you come by car, the hotel is located in an area where you need to have an "Umweltplakkette".
We got ours in the Mundorf Tank (gasstation), Rolshoverstrasse in Cologne. It costs 6 euro, open 24 hours 7/7.
Its located about 5 km from the hotel.

The taxi from the airport was 25 EUR. Not very far from the center and the Rhine river, close (2 min walk) to the MARITIM hotel, where I attended a conference. Reservation and check-in without any problems. Rooms small but clean. Breakfast included in my price of 95 EUR, and good. My room was absolutely quiet (as requested). Internet (WLAN) was about 10 EUR per 24h. Unfortunately they were not able to give me a 15 min (!) later check-out, which I would have badly needed.