The Best Hotels in Cologne, Germany for Christmas Markets

Since many of these Christmas markets are tucked into historic city centers, the hotels often reflect that history. If this is your first time staying in Europe, there are a few "quirks" that are perfectly normal here but might be a surprise if you aren’t European or haven’t Europe yet visited.

In the Room

• The "European King" & Twin Bed Issue: Don't be surprised if your king-size bed is actually two twin mattresses pushed together with individual duvets. It’s the standard way many hotels handle large beds, and it actually makes for a great night’s sleep since you aren’t fighting your partner for the covers!

  This also applies to if you book a twin room. In many cases, the twin beds will be either touching each other or very close to being pushed together, but have separate bedding. This could be awkward if you’re not super close with your roommate, so take precaution to check the room photos carefully before agreeing to share a room with someone!

• Climate Control: In the winter, many hotels operate on a central heating system. This means you might not have an individual thermostat in your room, and it can get toasty. If you’re a hot sleeper, we highly recommend packing a small travel fan to keep the air moving. This small but mighty travel fan is our go-to!

• Amenities: Coffee makers or kettles in the room aren't always a guarantee, especially in smaller boutique spots. Likewise, keep an eye out for a bidet in the bathroom—it’s a staple in many European countries and great once you get used to it!

• Shower Curtains (or the lack thereof): Many European showers use a half-glass pane rather than a curtain. It looks sleek, but it’s an art form to keep the water from splashing onto the bathroom floor!

• Room Size: Many rooms are very, very compact. Typically, the older the building is, the smaller the rooms will be.

Navigating the Building

• Elevators (or lack thereof): "Historic" often means "built before elevators existed." Many hotels have very small lifts that only fit one, maybe two people with luggage, and some don't go to every floor. Be prepared for the possibility of carrying your bags up a few flights of stairs.

• Star Ratings: In Europe, the star rating is usually based on the amenities provided (like having a 24-hour reception or an elevator) rather than how "luxury" the hotel feels. A 2 or 3-star hotel can be incredibly charming and clean, just with fewer amenities.

• The "First Floor" Confusion: Remember that in Europe, the "1st Floor" is usually one level above the ground floor (which is often labeled '0' or 'G' in the elevator).

Logistics & Food

• Breakfast: Unless it explicitly says "Breakfast Included," expect to pay a (relatively large) separate fee. European breakfast spreads are often tasty deli meats, cheeses, incredible pastries, and yogurt, but they rarely mirror the hot "big breakfast" style you might find back home.

• Luggage Storage: Almost every hotel will happily stash your bags in a locked room if you arrive before check-in or want to explore the markets for a few hours after you’ve checked out.

• The Key Card: In many rooms, you’ll need to slot your room key into a holder by the door to turn on the lights and power. The intention is to save energy while you’re out enjoying the markets. Want to keep the power going while you’re gone? Pop an old hotel key or expired bank card in place of your room key. (We don’t recommend this all the time, just in case of drastic temps in your room, needing to keep items charging, etc.)