4* Steigenberger Hotel Koln

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.

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.

For gay nightlife location, Steigenberger Hotel Köln is one of the easiest choices on the list. It sits directly on Rudolfplatz, putting the bars of Schaafenstraße and the surrounding gay district just a short walk away. The hotel itself is a fairly large, modern four-star property with spacious rooms, many offering views across the city. There’s also a restaurant, bar and fitness facilities, although the location is really the main reason to choose it. Rudolfplatz’s tram and underground connections make reaching the Cathedral, main station and Old Town straightforward when you want to explore beyond the immediate neighbourhood. GayMapper tip: particularly good if your Cologne weekend is likely to involve rather more nightlife than sightseeing.

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.

You certainly won’t struggle to find the Maritim: the huge glass-fronted hotel sits directly on Heumarkt, right beside the Rhine and within easy walking distance of the Old Town gay bars. Inside, it’s a large traditional city hotel rather than a boutique retreat, with more than 450 rooms, several restaurants and bars, plus an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness facilities. Some rooms also offer views towards the Cathedral or Rhine. The Cathedral, shopping streets and main station are all within walking distance, while trams from Heumarkt make getting elsewhere in Cologne easy. GayMapper tip: not the trendiest hotel in town, but the Heumarkt location is extremely hard to beat if you want the Old Town gay scene close by.

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.