4* Hotel Lyskirchen

Pullman Cologne is a polished four-star-superior option in the city centre, around a ten-minute walk from the gay bars on Schaafenstraße and similarly well placed for Cologne’s shopping streets. Rooms are spacious and contemporary, while the hotel also has a gym and sauna. LAB12, its top-floor bar, gives you somewhere for a drink without immediately having to head out for the evening. Friesenplatz and Rudolfplatz are both close by, so the location works particularly well if you want to spend time around both the Belgian Quarter and the gay nightlife while remaining comfortably central. GayMapper tip: a good step up from the budget and mid-range choices around Rudolfplatz without moving away from the nightlife.

art'otel Cologne combines a stylish riverside setting with a location that works well for both sightseeing and Cologne’s Old Town gay scene. The hotel sits beside the Rhine near the Chocolate Museum, with Heumarkt around a ten-minute walk away. Contemporary rooms feature bold artwork by Korean artist SEO, while the hotel continues the design theme throughout its public spaces. There’s also a restaurant and bar, fitness facilities and a rooftop terrace that’s particularly appealing in warmer weather. The Cathedral and main shopping streets are a little further north but easily reached on foot or by public transport. GayMapper tip: a particularly good all-rounder if you want something more interesting than a standard chain hotel without sacrificing a central location.

URBAN LOFT Cologne brings a more youthful, design-led feel to the area north of the Cathedral, with colourful contemporary interiors, local art and plenty of communal space. Rooms are relatively compact but cleverly designed, while downstairs you’ll find a 24-hour lounge, local coffee, coworking areas and a gym. The hotel is close to Cologne Central Station and around ten minutes on foot from the Cathedral, making it very convenient for sightseeing and rail arrivals. It’s worth noting that this isn’t one of the better choices specifically for gay nightlife — both Schaafenstraße and the Heumarkt scene are further away. GayMapper tip: choose it for modern design and easy access to the station and Cathedral rather than proximity to the gay bars.

For something much less conventional, die Wohngemeinschaft sits right in Cologne’s lively Belgian Quarter and within easy walking distance of the gay bars around Schaafenstraße and Rudolfplatz. Each room has its own imaginative theme, so you could find yourself sleeping in anything from a spaceship-inspired room to something resembling a boat cabin. Downstairs, the café and bar are part of the experience too, with live music, cultural events and a sociable local crowd. Shared bathrooms feature in some room types, so this won’t suit everyone, but the location and character make it far more memorable than a generic budget hotel. GayMapper tip: a fun choice for sociable travellers who’d rather spend their money going out than on a conventional hotel room.

Motel One Köln-Neumarkt hits a particularly useful sweet spot between Cologne’s main sights and its biggest gay nightlife cluster. Schaafenstraße is only a short walk beyond Neumarkt, while the Old Town and Cathedral are easily reached in the other direction. As you’d expect from Motel One, rooms are compact but smartly designed, with a stylish lounge and bar giving the hotel a little more personality than the price point might suggest. The design also includes plenty of references to Cologne and its Cathedral. Shopping on Schildergasse is practically outside the door and Neumarkt’s excellent tram connections make the rest of the city easy to explore. GayMapper tip: probably one of the best combinations of price, location and style in central Cologne.

Ruby Ella brings a bit more personality to Cologne’s hotel scene, with a stylish location near Friesenplatz and within easy reach of the gay bars around Rudolfplatz and Schaafenstraße. The hotel occupies the former site of Cologne’s Capitol TV studios, and the interiors have fun with that history, mixing retro television glamour with neon, chrome and colourful contemporary design. Rooms are deliberately streamlined but comfortable, with rainfall showers, good beds and soundproofing, while the lively 24-hour bar and lounge gives you somewhere appealing for a drink before heading out. Friesenplatz station is almost outside, while the Belgian Quarter, shopping streets and central sights are all easy to reach. GayMapper tip: a particularly good choice if you want stylish surroundings, easy access to the gay scene and something with more character than a conventional four-star chain hotel.