Excelsior Hotel Ernst

9.2
Exceptional
(1548 reviews)

Trankgasse 1-5, 50667 Köln, Germany

+49 221 2701

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Hotel Description

Located just opposite the iconic Cologne Cathedral, Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a luxurious retreat nestled in a grand 5-story townhouse dating back to 1863. Situated at Trankgasse 1-5, 50667 Köln, Germany, the hotel is at the heart of the vibrant city center, offering easy access to the historic old town, Gothic landmarks, and renowned attractions. The hotel’s traditional architectural design and refined elegance create an inviting atmosphere that blends classic charm with modern comfort. Within walking distance from the hotel, guests can explore the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, the Museum Ludwig, and a wealth of traditional pubs, museums, and boutique shops. The strategic location allows visitors to immerse themselves in the cultural richness and dynamic spirit of Cologne. Excelsior Hotel Ernst features stately rooms, each with traditional furnishings, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some rooms boast magnificent views of the Cologne Cathedral, while others offer marble bathrooms with luxurious whirlpool tubs. The suites include separate sitting areas, offering extra space and comfort for those seeking a more luxurious experience. Guests will appreciate the round-the-clock room service and the availability of both complimentary and paid parking on-site, ensuring convenience throughout their stay. For dining, the hotel offers an acclaimed East Asian restaurant, perfect for those seeking fine cuisine, while the piano bar with its cigar lounge provides a sophisticated spot for relaxation. Guests can unwind at the hotel’s wellness center, which includes a fitness center and spa, offering a serene escape. Excelsior Hotel Ernst is easily accessible, with Cologne Central Station only a 6-minute walk away, providing swift connections to various parts of the city. Additionally, Cologne Bonn Airport is a short 25-minute taxi ride from the hotel, and an airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee. The hotel’s location and amenities make it an ideal base for exploring Cologne’s many attractions and indulging in local experiences, including the annual Christmas market. Whether you're here for leisure or business, Excelsior Hotel Ernst ensures that guests enjoy a comfortable and memorable stay, complete with all the essential services for a luxurious experience.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Located opposite the Cologne Cathedral and in the heart of the city center

2. Classic 5-story townhouse with traditional and refined design

3. Views of the Cologne Cathedral available in select rooms

4. High-end amenities including marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs

5. Acclaimed East Asian restaurant and a piano bar with a cigar lounge

6. Fitness center with weight machines, treadmills, and sauna

7. Complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs in all rooms

8. 24-hour room service for ultimate convenience

9. Close proximity to major attractions including Museum Ludwig and Lindt Chocolate Museum

10. Well-connected to public transportation with Cologne Central Station just a short walk away


9.8 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Cologne Cathedral
2 min
Museum Ludwig
4 min
Lindt Chocolate Museum
9 min
Hohenzollern Bridge
7 min
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
3 min

Nearest locations

Gaffel am Dom - Brauhaus
1 min
Istanbul Restaurant - Köln
1 min
Gaststätte Dominikaner
2 min
Hanse Stube
2 min
Funkhaus Cafe-Bar-Restaurant
3 min
Peters Brauhaus
3 min
Green Smoke Cologne - BBQ Restaurant Köln
4 min
Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom
5 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out13:00
Location rating9.8
Nearest airportCologne Bonn Airport
Travel time to airport25 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Sat, Nov 30
Check-out: Sun, Dec 01
    Official Hotel

    $338

    Catchit.com

    $295

    Agoda

    $295

    Roompai

    $297

    ZenHotels.com

    $299

    Vio.com

    $304


Location

Trankgasse 1-5, 50667 Köln, Germany

Airports:

Weeze Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 27 min

Düsseldorf Airport

Transit: 49 min

Taxi: 56 min

Dortmund Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 18 min

Cologne Bonn Airport

Taxi: 25 min

Transit:

Köln Süd

Taxi: 9 min

Walking: 39 min

Hansaring

Taxi: 7 min

Walking: 17 min

Koln-Ehrenfeld

Taxi: 15 min

Walking: 43 min

Cologne Messe/Deutz

Taxi: 13 min

Walking: 22 min

Cologne Central Station

Walking: 4 min


Nearby locations

9.8

Exceptional Location

Köln-Altstadt-Nord

Historic old town center with Gothic Cologne Cathedral, plus shops, museums & traditional pubs.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Services

Front desk

Concierge

Currency exchange

Full-service laundry

Elevator

Wake up calls

Gift shop

Housekeeping

Turndown service

Pets

Pet-friendly

Dogs allowed

Cats allowed

Parking & transportation

Parking

Valet parking

Airport shuttle

Local shuttle

Accessibility

Accessible

Accessible elevator

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Credit cards

Debit cards

Cash

Checks

Business & events

Meeting rooms

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Room service

Breakfast

Breakfast buffet

Wellness

Fitness center

Elliptical machine

Treadmill

Weight machines

Sauna

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi in public areas

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Minibar


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.0

10 reviews

Wonderful
7
Excellent
1
Good
2
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
CS

Christopher S

5/5
First of all, I love this hotel. This is old school class right from the 1920s. Look at the details in the rooms. It seems like I stepped into a Time Machine. Loads of chrome in the bathrooms. Elegant waitstaff. …

NS

Nancy S

5/5
The Excelsior is not only perfectly located across from the Cologne Cathedral, it is a landmark|worth a visit and a stay . …

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Kat M

5/5
Very nice hotel with helpful and friendly staff. The hotel is close to the train station and right across the street from the cathedral. We expected to have a view of the cathedral from our room, but we didn’t and I think that was the only negative about this hotel. Helpful thing to know: If you still want to explore the town after checkout, the staff will hold your bags for you.

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Jen Ten

5/5
We visited this hotel last fall for our anniversary. Our hotel stay was amazing and we still talk about it to this day and we want you to know how much you impressed us.First of all, the location is perfection. Right across the street from the beautiful cathedral. We sat and enjoyed dessert and beverages a couple of times in one of the cozy sitting areas overlooking the Cologne Cathedral.We also cannot say enough about the excellent hospitality we received in every way. From the valet staff, the front desk staff, the restaurant staff to the housekeeping staff. Everyone was top notch and genuine.We really appreciated our accommodations as well. Our room and bathroom were beautiful and the plush robes and slippers were a fantastic touch!We ate at the Hanse Stube restaurant and were thrilled with the quality of the food, waitstaff and atmosphere.Upon our departure, we told the front desk manager how impressed we were and we have told many other people our praises for your hotel as well.Can’t thank you enough for our experience here. Thank you for a memorable stay that we will not forget!

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The Travel Grad

5/5
Stayed here for over a week in a Junior Suite. All our expectations were exceeded. The hotel felt comfortable and staff were lovely. The room was spacious and clean. The food in the bar and restaurant were very good although quite expensive. The location is as good as it gets in Cologne - right next to the train station and in front of the cathedral.A negative was that the in-house Michelin restaurant was closed during the stay and some members of staff didn’t know about it. There was also a lot of private chatting among the staff in the bar and one member was occasionally swearing under his breath - obviously not in itself a problem but the layout of the bar made it impossible to ignore and made service feel a little less professional.Overall, a very positive experience and if you ignore the high prices for food, the price for value was excellent. We will definitely return.

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Florian Fuchs

5/5
Just stayed here two nights. Had a great time. The staff is top notch. Everyone is super friendly.Location is great. You can walk to everything not to mention it's 100m to the Dom.Room was excellent, clean. Nice amenities. The walk in shower with the rain shower head was great. Water gets super hot and greater water pressure.Also treat yourself to the chocolates!

LM

Lana M

5/5
We experienced excellent service, professional and friendly staff, and a well-managed and very comfortable hotel experience. The breakfast was great, along with a great afternoon tea selection. …

D

DeejMonkseaton

4/5
Beautiful traditional hotel next to the main railway and views of the famous Dom cathedral.|Friendly welcome by staff. …

Cover Image for Justin Thompson

Justin Thompson

3/5
I had high expectations for Excelsior Hotel Ernst, but it did not live up to the expectations I had from the previous reviews.Room: We were in Room 230, which was pretty nice. The minibar had good options for us. We were thankful for the water! However, there were black stains on the carpet next to the bed. The view from the room was nothing special, but we did not buy the best room so that is not a ding.Service: This is where the hotel lacked. First, I do want to say the reception desk was great and quick with their paperwork. The bar staff was also pretty good, though we did not have much interaction other than order drinks. I tried to go to the gym in the morning, but it was not open. It was during the open hours on the door, so I did not know why. Breakfast was the worst part. We went down to the dining room where no one was at the reception to seat us. We stood there for a few minutes until we just seated ourselves. The server we had seemed like he was the only one working. We were not told to get food and when I asked for coffee, the server said they did not have any. We got some yogurt from the buffet but had to wait nearly 20 minutes to order. We had to waive the server down to get his attention. This is just not what I expected from a hotel of this stature.Location: Obviously great - no complaints.

GC

Gerry C

3/5
Wonderful location and very helpful staff in a very well maintained building; bedroom was adequate, very comfortable bed with a superb bathroom; the air-con was easy to control. …