Great location - one block off of main street. Hotel is in an older building but interior has been completely updated with very upscale details - lots of marble and tile, all new carpet and modern furnishings. I was given a room at the back and it was very private - never saw or heard another guest and it opened onto a secluded ivy covered courtyard. It was vault like quiet. Breakfast was very impressive - huge selection. There are some busy bars and cafes on the street, so I suppose a room at the front may be a little noisier, but my room at the back was just great!

I'm perplexed by the reviewers who use words like "gem" and "perfect" for this hotel. On the good side: value ($160 for one night for a two-person double, April '08, thru Orbitz); an appealing breakfast room with plenty of food and drink options; a very polite and helpful staff; free 24-hour Internet in the lobby and breakfast room, and attempts at a modern, bright, chic decor in the rooms. (I can't comment on the location for exploring Cologne, since we were there as a layover, not for sightseeing.) On the disappointing side: The hotel's exterior is ugly, ugly, ugly (I was hoping that the taxi wouldn't stop at THAT building, but it did); some of the common spaces were scruffy and dark; our non-smoking room smelled like stale cigarette smoke and there was an ashtray with complimentary matches on the desk. Also, the information provided by the hotel in its "Welcome to Cologne" pamphlet was so outdated that it nearly ruined the morning's plans: It said that the tram from the main train station to the airport would take 40 minutes, whereas in fact the S-Bahn (wonder how long ago the S-Bahn was built?) from the main train station to the airport only takes 15 minutes. (I'm glad I double-checked the DB site online.) Not a grievous error, but annoying. To sum up, we got our money's worth, especially with the weak dollar, but not a penny more.

The hotel was about a 20 minute walk (with suitcases in tow) from the train station and just off of Breitte Strass, an excellent shopping street. The hotel is small, less than 30 rooms, but very tidy and efficient. Morning breakfast was varied and good. The rooms on the the street side were noisy on Saturday night, so bring ear plugs. The beds were quite saggy, but surprisingly still comfortable. I wouldn't want to sleep on them for a week, but 3 nights was fine. The shower stall only had a curtain that stuck to you while showering, which was slightly annoying. The room was very clean. For a long weekend stay, I would recommend. A bit longer stay, I would probably try elsewhere.

I had the pleasure to stay at the Astor Aparthotel in Cologne for 1 week whilst I was working at the Ford plant on the outskirts of the city. I cant really comment on the city of Cologne because I was working 12 hour shifts and really only saw the hotel, the plant, and the road between the two! Dont know prices either because bill was paid direct by the company! The hotel is small with a tiny but very functional reception which opens directly onto the pavement. There is a parking area at the rear of the hotel accessible via a roller door, but unless you are driving a small hatchback, forget it! - anything larger than an Astra coupe just will not make it, so leave your Merc 320 at home! I was in a single room which was small but well laid out, ensuite with toilet, washbasin and shower cubicle, all of which were surgically clean with the usual supply of sachets of shower gel etc. There was a small desk area incorporating a well stocked fridge, with wines, spirits, mineral waters, confectionary etc., but all at unbelievable prices, so leave the mini-bar alone!!! The television worked well but everything was in German and consisted of phone-ins and embarassing clips of fat fraulines getting their [--] out!! - avoid it at all costs!!! The bed was supremely comfortable and I slept like a log every night, and came home every evening to find that my room had been cleaned, bed made with fresh sheets and a small packet of sweets left on the pillow - little thing, but a nice touch! The hotel also has a wireless internet service which works faultlessly and is free to residents. Breakfast here is superb! Coffee on tap and several different kinds of tea - and not just basic teabags, but real loose tea with little pots you load yourself!, plus all the fruitjuice you want, cerials, boiled eggs, yoghurts etc. Step out of the front door and you have the whole of Cologne on your doorstep, bars and restaurants, takeaways, shops etc. A great little hotel, ideally placed, well run, comfortable and clean. Unfortunately, all the rooms are non-smoking but hey, they all have windows!

Great service, comfortable room. Good location.