4* URBAN LOFT Cologne

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.

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.

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.

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.