Where to stay in Cologne, Germany

This post was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Cologne’s brand-new type of style hotels are a mix of historical, contemporary and retro-futuristic aspects, frequently set in historical or repurposed structures. As such, they completely imitate their city, whose roots reach back to the veryfirst century BCE — all while offering budget-friendly, doorstep gainaccessto to its star touristattractions and buzziest areas.

1. Legend Hotel

Come to Legend Hotel and the veryfirst thing you’ll notification is the late-medieval tower next door. Thanks to painstaking repair after the Second World War, the City Hall’s Ratsturm (council tower) crawls with vibrant, often stunning carvings; the acts of self-gratification carriedout below one archbishop, amongst emperors and other dignitaries, shine a light on to the profane spirit of this city.

Opened last year, Legend Hotel pays homage to its neighbour while staying pin-sharp in style. The Rastrum’s colours are imitated in the bedrooms, from slate grey walls to sandstoney browns for the upholstered headboards. At 23sq m, the timeless doubles make the most of the area with creative touches such as over-your-shoulder bedside lights and desks that hug the end of the bed. Their windows frame the ancient tower, however for the finest sights, head to the roof balcony, with views of Cologne Cathedral’s reach-for-the-sky spires.

Even the hotel’s Puls diningestablishment nods to the past of the city — established as a Roman nest — taking its name from a cereal stew popular in ancient Rome. Two-star chef and customer Daniel Gottschlich’s ‘have it your method’ menu permits visitors to mix bar treats with gastronomic fare, be it mini-Rossini hamburgers or a pink veal fillet with Parma ham jus, baked sage and a cream of green beans.

Yet, with a place as fantastic as the old town, you’ll barely invest time inside. Around the hotel, beer halls brim with Kölsch. And if you catc