Buchholz Downtown Hotel

Just a ten-minute walk from the cathedral or main train station and a block from the river promenade, the Hotel Buchholz offers a quiet haven away from the crowds and bustle of downtown Köln. The hotel is easy to spot, as the surrounding buildings are unadorned, so the soft-peach façade with its white awnings definitely stands out. The entry is simple but the welcome is warm and very genuine in this family-run hotel. Just off the reception there are a few ground-level rooms, still priced for those on a budget, that share a toilet and shower. Number 15 on the first level does have its own shower, private toilet, and lovely twin beds. Down the hallway you find a bar and a pretty breakfast room with country light-pine tables and a hutch set against soft-yellow-washed walls where a very scrumptious breakfast buffet is served. When the weather permits, a few breakfast tables are set in the interior courtyard. The upstairs rooms are all attractive—simple and pretty in their uncluttered decor, with fans provided in the heat of the summer. Room 19 is beautiful, with a large king bed, shower, sitting area within the room, and a wonderful outside balcony. Junior suites and large bedrooms are priced the same, but I preferred the spaciousness of the latter.