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Check-in
28Jun2025Select date
Check-out
29Jun2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Domplatz / Trankgasse 1-5, Cologne, Germany, 50667

Rooms & Suites

The Excelsior Hotel Ernst offers 134 rooms and suites with white paneled walls, mahogany cabinets, and black granite bathrooms. Each room includes a minibar, tea and coffee maker, and Asprey toiletries. Some suites feature separate living areas and views of Cologne Cathedral. Soundproof windows ensure quiet, and free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.

Dining Options

The hotel has two restaurants: Hanse Stube serves French fine-dining, while Michelin-starred Taku offers contemporary East Asian dishes. Breakfast includes fresh pastries, organic cereals, cold cuts, and made-to-order egg dishes. Afternoon tea features pastries by Pierre Hermé, accompanied by live piano music in the Wintergarten. The Charles Bar serves cocktails, wine, and champagne.

Leisure & Wellness

Guests have free access to a gym and two saunas, open from 07:00 to 22:00. In-room massages and treatments are available through a local spa partner. The hotel also provides bathrobes and slippers for use during the stay.

Location & Transport

The hotel is directly opposite Cologne Cathedral, 200 meters from Cologne Central Station, and 15 minutes from Cologne/Bonn Airport. Nearby landmarks include the Ludwig Museum (0.5 km), Hohenzollern Bridge (1 km), and the Old Town. Most attractions are within walking distance.

Services & Concierge

The concierge team, members of Germany's Golden Keys association, can arrange tickets, reservations, and local recommendations. The hotel offers 24-hour room service, laundry, and ironing facilities. Eight function rooms are available for events, equipped with modern conference technology.

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Choose the Room

From cozy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.
Classic Single Room
Max:
1 person
175 sq. feet 
Bed options:
1 Single bed
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Junior Suite
Max:
3 persons
485 sq. feet 
Bed options:
1 King-size bed
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Classic Double or Twin Room
Max:
3 persons
270 sq. feet 
Bed options:
1 Double bed
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Check Dates & Room Rates

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Getting around

All Transportation Options at a Glance

City Centre
Cologne1000 ft
Airports
Koln/Bonn (CGN) 10.3 mi
Dusseldorf (DUS) 29.3 mi

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • Pets allowed
  • Security
  • Luggage storage
  • Locker room
  • Allergy-free rooms
  • Lift
  • Currency exchange
  • Coffee shop
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre
  • Cycling
  • Sports trainer

Services

  • Paid airport shuttle
  • Valet parking
  • Pet amenities available
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • In-room breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Business centre
  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Babysitting/Child services
  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Live entertainment
  • Spa & wellness centre
  • Sauna
  • Turkish bath
  • Steam room
  • Massage

Room features

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Mini-bar
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Sitting area
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities

Media

  • AM/FM alarm clock
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Location

Domplatz / Trankgasse 1-5, Cologne, Germany, 50667
Map view
street view
Domplatz / Trankgasse 1-5, Cologne, Germany, 50667
Nearby
Church
Cologne Cathedral
1400 ft
Square
Domplatte
600 ft
Museum
Ludwig Museum
1200 ft
Museum
Museum of Applied Art Cologne
1100 ft
Museum
Roman-Germanic Museum
1300 ft
Church
St. Maria Himmelfahrt
500 ft
Museum
Kolumba
2000 ft
Domkloster 4
Dom Treasury
500 ft
Fountain
Fastnachtsbrunnen
1700 ft
Fountain
Jan von Werth Fountain
1500 ft
Church
St Ursula
1900 ft
Museum
Cologne's Municipal Museum
1500 ft
Boersenplatz 1
Edith Stein
1500 ft
Restaurants
Gaffel am Dom
200 ft
Bahnhofsvorplatz 1
Cafe Reichard
400 ft
Unter Fettenhennen 11
taku
300 ft
Trankgasse 1-5
Excelsior Hotel Ernst Koeln
200 ft
Trankgasse 1-5
Peking am Dom
200 ft
Marzellenstr. 2-8
Ambiance Am Dom
0 ft
Trankgasse 1-5
MAREDO Steakhouse
700 ft
Dompropst-Ketzer-Str. 1-9
Poke Makai
400 ft
Marzellenstr. 12a Right At The Roundabout
Funkhaus Cafe Bar Restaurant
700 ft
Wallrafplatz 5 50667 Köln
Galestro Italia
600 ft
Bahnhofsvorplatz 1
Starbucks
800 ft
Trankgasse 11

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings
84%
enjoyed their stay & would return
convenient location
great dining
occasional carelessness in service
lack of Cathedral views
8.4/10
Great
Rooms
7.9
Location
9.6
Service
8.9
Dining
7.7
Guest reviews
8.4/10
based on 7 reviews
4.5/5 based on 1659 reviews
8.9
8.9/10 based on 937 reviews
#2 of 290 hotels in Cologne based on Tripadvisor
Edward
United States, May  2024
8.2/10

My stay at the hotel was overall very pleasant. The rooms, although not offering Cathedral views and a bit delayed for check-in, were spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped. The staff was fantastic, and the location was incredibly convenient being steps away from the train station. The dining experience was satisfying with made-to-order main courses. However, the service, though usually amazing, had some careless moments. The hotel facilities were top-notch.

Rooms
8.0
My room was large, comfortable, and well-equipped despite the delay in readiness. It lacked Cathedral views but had all the creature comforts.
Service
7.0
The staff was generally amazing, although there were moments of carelessness. I typically love trying different hotels, and this one was a good experience overall.
Location
9.0
The location was excellent, right across the street from the Cologne Cathedral and steps from the train station, making it extremely convenient for travelers.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was great with a sufficient offering and ala carte options. I particularly enjoyed the homemade sausages.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities at the hotel were excellent, providing everything needed for a comfortable stay.
convenient location
occasional carelessness in service
Stephen
United States, May  2024
8.2/10

My stay at the hotel was fantastic. The location is perfect, right in front of Cologne Cathedral and close to major attractions like the Ludwig Museum. The rooms were a bit outdated with worn-out furniture, but the service was incredibly welcoming and accommodating, making the stay very memorable for our group. The dining options were satisfactory, but a bit pricey for the value. Overall, a great stay with a few minor drawbacks.

Rooms
7.0
The room I stayed in was a bit outdated with worn-out furniture, but it was comfortable overall.
Service
9.0
The service at the hotel was excellent. The staff was very helpful and offered great suggestions on places to visit.
Location
10.0
The location couldn't be better, right next to the iconic Cologne Cathedral and close to popular attractions and shopping streets.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was good, but the prices were a bit high for the value received.
Facilities
8.0
The hotel offers a variety of services like room service, dry cleaning, and valet parking, making the stay very convenient.
Geoffrey
United Kingdom, April  2024
8.8/10

I had a fabulous stay at this hotel! The rooms were sparkling clean, the bed was super comfy, and the room was quiet. The location couldn't have been better, right in the heart of Cologne with easy access to all the landmarks. The service was exceptional, with friendly staff providing great advice and even surprises for my son. However, the rooms need an urgent makeover, especially the spacious bathroom lacking proper lighting and a window. Overall, a wonderful experience with some room for improvement.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms were sparkling clean and the bed was super comfy, providing a quiet stay.
Service
9.0
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, offering excellent advice and pleasant surprises for our son.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was strategic, close to all the important landmarks and right in the midst of Cologne.
Dining
9.0
The dining experience was outstanding, with a variety of delicious options worth every penny.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were top-notch, providing everything needed for a comfortable stay.
Bernard
United Kingdom, December  2023
8.2/10

The hotel was on the 4th floor, really quiet and comfortable, but lacked air conditioning. The fans seemed functional but uninspired. The service was superb, with a personal touch through a card and delightful chocolates and macaroons. The location was amazing, right in front of the big Cologne Cathedral, offering all the luxuries you would expect. The dining experience, while delicious, needed constant refilling of small amounts and could be slow. Overall, a pleasant stay with some minor room comfort issues.

Rooms
7.0
The rooms on the 4th floor were quiet and comfortable, lacking air conditioning but having functional fans.
Service
9.0
The service was superb, with a personal card and wonderful chocolates and macaroons.
Location
10.0
The location was amazing, right next to Cologne Cathedral and offering all the luxuries expected.
Dining
7.0
The dining was delicious but required constant refilling of small amounts and experienced occasional service delays.
Facilities
8.0
The hotel offered the typical facilities and amenities you would expect.
Quiet
Lack of air conditioning
Tony
United Kingdom, November  2023
8.4/10

My stay at the hotel was truly delightful. The room was small with a single bed, but surprisingly comfortable and impeccably clean. The complimentary bites and refreshments were a nice touch, and the tranquility of the room made it an ideal retreat. The location was fantastic, right across from the Cologne Cathedral, perfect for exploring the city. Although the dining was a bit pricey, opting for the local Christmas markets was a great alternative.

Rooms
8.0
Despite the small size of the single bed, it was surprisingly comfortable and the room was spotlessly clean.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptional, with a personal touch and a warm, friendly demeanor. They even offered us free membership to their exclusive hotel club for a year!
Location
10.0
The hotel's location couldn't be better, right across from the Cologne Cathedral, making it an ideal base for sightseeing.
Dining
7.0
While the dining at the hotel was a bit on the expensive side, the nearby Christmas markets provided a special culinary experience.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities were well-maintained and offered everything one could need for a comfortable stay.
clean
pricey dining
David
United States, October  2023
9.2/10

Staying at this hotel was a fantastic experience! The location, right across from the Cologne cathedral, was unbeatable. The rooms were big and comfortable, with a great view and excellent WiFi. However, it did get quite hot inside at times.

Rooms
9.0
The rooms were spacious and comfortable, with a great view of the Cologne cathedral.
Service
10.0
The service here was exceptional! The staff was incredibly friendly and professional, going above and beyond to make our stay memorable.
Location
10.0
The hotel's location couldn't be better for tourists, right near the Dome and central train station.
Dining
8.0
We mostly enjoyed dining out at the Christmas markets nearby, so didn't use the hotel's dining services much.
Facilities
9.0
The hotel offered a variety of services and amenities to make our stay comfortable and convenient.
great WiFi
rooms could get hot
Rob
United Kingdom, July  2023
8.6/10

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel! The rooms were spacious with plenty of storage space and looked absolutely gorgeous. The only downside was that the room was quite hot. The location was prime, right across from the cathedral, making it super convenient. The service was top-notch, with extremely kind and helpful staff. The dining experience was incredible, although a bit pricey. Overall, a fantastic hotel with some minor room temperature issues.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms were spacious with lots of storage capacity and gorgeous but a bit hot.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptional, with extremely friendly and helpful staff.
Location
9.0
The location was great, right across from the cathedral, offering a convenient stay.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was incredible but slightly on the pricey side.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were well-maintained and added to the overall positive experience.
Great location
Room temperature
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Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room