Back in July, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Cologne, Germany with Essence Cosmetics for the launch of their Bloggers’ Beauty Secrets range which you can read all about here. We were in Cologne for two nights and on our first night we stayed at the Art’Otel which was all arranged by Essence. We decided to stop for a second night so that we could properly explore the city and we were kindly given a complimentary stay at the Lindner Hotel City Plaza which is just a short walk from the centre of Cologne and 1.1km away from the Köln Dom (cathedral).
The hotel didn’t look like much on the outside, it was just your average red brick building, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect even though I knew it had a four star rating. Once we got inside, we could instantly tell that this hotel was something special, there was a luxurious looking bar, a huge restaurant and there was even a hammock up in reception. Once we’d checked in and were given our key cards, we headed up to the fifth floor to have a look at our room.
Our First Class Double room was amazing with a huge double bed complete with a cushion in the shape of the Köln Dom (which I managed to fit into my suitcase and now lives in the corner of my bedroom!) and the room was so light and airy with an armchair by the window, which was the perfect place to sit and read at. Soon after we got into our room, there was a knock at the door and a couple of members of staff bought us a cake and some fruit to welcome us to the hotel which was a really nice touch.
As we were staying in a First Class Double room, this meant that we had 24 hour access to the First Class Lounge which was also on the fifth floor of the hotel. We decided to check this out straight away and were completely overwhelmed by how nice it was. We were able to help ourselves to snacks and drinks (including hot drinks and alcohol) whenever we wanted and there was also a roof terrace which was lovely. We spent a bit of time in the evening on the terrace with a hot chocolate and our laptops catching up with some work. The First Class Lounge also offers hot meals in the evening and a buffet breakfast in the morning which is all included in the price of your room.
We chose to go down to the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast in the morning and I think that was the best decision we could have made. From my experience, German breakfast buffets are absolutely delicious! There was so much to choose from but I ended up piling my plate with scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, pancakes and maple syrup with a coffee to wash it all down with. This was honestly the best hotel breakfast I have ever had and I’d stay at the Lindner Hotel City Plaza again just for the breakfast alone!
When it was time for us to check out, the staff behind reception allowed us to keep our luggage there while we went out to explore the city one last time. They even called us a taxi when it was time for us to go and get the train back to Dusseldorf airport. Everyone was really accommodating and really made us feel welcome. If I’m ever in Cologne again and I can afford it, the Lindner Hotel City Plaza will be at the top of my list of hotels to stay at.
What an amazing hotel. I would love to relax in that first class lounge!
This is so gorgeous! Very classy and tasteful, I would love to end up there after a long day for sure~
That hotel looks amazing! That breakfast looks devine
Definitely somewhere I would love to stay so thanks for sharing!! It’s always great to have a good recommend.
Cologne is such a stunning city too. I think that I stayed in that hotel way back when on a business trip.
It is always a toss up between the breakfast buffet and room service for me!
Beautiful hotel – i wish i had a TV hanging on my wall like that
I’m hoping to go to Cologne later this year so I’ll definitely keep this hotel in mind as it looks really nice x
I’m dying to visit Cologne! The hotel you stayed in was gorgeous!
Oh this hotel looks just amazing. How fantastic to have a first class lounge like that too!
What a lovely hotel! It must have felt like real luxury. I always tend to be in budget hotels, so would be a nice treat 🙂
What a beautiful hotel. I love the stunning decor.
Looks like you had a good time. The hotel looks great x
This hotel looks gorgeous! The first class lounge sounds like a great extra too.
That sounds like an amazing trip! Glad you had a fab time x
What a gorgeous stay at the hotel!! I love the addition of the cake and fruit too and great that you got access to the first class lounge!
This hotel looks beautiful! xo
What a lovely hotel, looked like a really relaxing place to stay!
Very nice and modern hotel. Seems like a good place to stay.
The hotel looks fab – love the rooftop terrace. and so cute of them to welcome you with fruit and cake. I’m hoping to go to Mardi Gras in Cologne next year so will have to remember this hotel!
Wow what a beautiful hotel! I am glad you enjoyed it so much!
A hanmock in the reception? I would have been tempted to sleep in there after a night out haha
This place looks so lovely! Definitely need to put cologne further up the to visit list!
the hotel looks and sounds amazing and after this post I would certainly book and stay here mysekf now