CityClass Hotel Alter Markt stands at Alter Markt 55, on one of the oldest squares in Cologne, and it is one of those hotels where the address does most of the persuading. The Old Market and the City Hall are about a minute away on foot, the cathedral is roughly three minutes, and the Heumarkt and the Musical Dome are a short stroll beyond, so you can cover the old town's main sights on foot and come back to rest between outings. The hotel is small, with 63 rooms, which gives it a calmer, more personal feel than the big chains around the cathedral. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, an in-room safe, a flat-screen television, a desk and a shower with free toiletries. Downstairs there is a restaurant, a cafe and a bar, plus a terrace and garden, which are a pleasant surprise in the middle of a historic quarter and a good spot for a drink on a summer evening. A concierge, a front desk safe, laundry and dry cleaning and help with tours and tickets are on offer, and the hotel holds an eco-certification, which is worth noting if sustainability matters to you.
Location and getting around
The old town is compact, and this is about as central as it gets. The Heumarkt underground station is about five minutes away and the central station about six, so trains, trams and the airport link are all easy, and the airport is roughly twenty minutes by car. Within a few minutes on foot you reach the Rhine promenade, the brewhouse streets of the Altstadt and the shops along Hohe Strasse, and in Advent several of the Christmas markets are within a short walk, which is a big advantage when the streets are crowded and cold.
The rooms and what to expect
Expect a comfortable, traditional mid-range hotel rather than a design statement. Rooms are practical and well kept, and because the hotel sits in a pedestrian-heavy part of the old town, street noise is usually modest, although a room away from the square is worth requesting if you are a light sleeper.
A buffet breakfast is available for a surcharge, so compare it with the cafes nearby when you book. The building has a lift, which is useful with luggage. Pets are accepted for a nightly fee, so check the current terms before you arrive. Check-in is in the afternoon and check-out is in the late morning.
Who it suits and what to know: CityClass Alter Markt suits couples, first-time visitors and Christmas market travellers who want to leave the car, or the train timetable, behind and walk everywhere. Families can manage here too, although the rooms are not large, so ask about the layout when you book.
The old town is lively in the evenings and at weekends, with plenty of beer halls and music, so this is a place to enjoy that atmosphere rather than escape it. Rates rise during trade fairs, carnival and Advent weekends, so book early and check dates when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓63 rooms with air-conditioning
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓In-room safes
- ✓Restaurant, cafe and bar
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Concierge and tour help
- ✓Lift
- ✓Laundry and dry cleaning
Good questions
Where is CityClass Hotel Alter Markt?+
It is at Alter Markt 55 in the old town, about a minute from the Old Market and the City Hall and roughly three minutes on foot from the cathedral.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available for a surcharge, so check what your rate includes when you book. There are also cafes nearby.
Is it close to the train station?+
The central station is about six minutes on foot, and the Heumarkt underground station is about five minutes away.
