4* Pullman Cologne

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.

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.

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.

Hotel Lyskirchen has a very useful Old Town location, just a few minutes from Heumarkt and within easy reach of the gay bars around the southern end of Cologne’s historic centre. Rooms have a clean, contemporary feel and there’s more on offer than you might expect from a central city hotel, including an indoor pool, gym and sauna. The Rhine and Chocolate Museum are just around the corner, while Cologne Cathedral is around a 15-minute walk away. It’s particularly well positioned if you want to mix sightseeing with evenings around the Heumarkt gay scene without relying heavily on public transport. GayMapper tip: one of the most convenient choices for the Old Town side of Cologne’s gay 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.

If you fancy making a Cologne city break rather more special, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst is the city’s classic grand-hotel choice. It sits directly opposite Cologne Cathedral and only a couple of minutes from the main railway station. Rooms and suites lean towards traditional luxury rather than cutting-edge design, backed up by polished service and some serious dining. The hotel’s restaurants include Michelin-starred taku, while the Hanse Stube specialises in French cuisine with a Rhineland influence. You couldn’t be much better placed for sightseeing, although Cologne’s main gay nightlife areas around Schaafenstraße and Heumarkt require a walk or short journey. GayMapper tip: choose it for old-school five-star indulgence and that unbeatable Cathedral location.