Opened as a Hilton in 2002, this hotel served as the Cologne Giro Bank office in the 1950s. The white-stone building sits on a busy street and draws mainly business travelers (thanks to its extensive meeting services) and couples. Its modern design is stylish, though a bit cold and lifeless at times. The lobby features a skylight that brings in plenty of natural light. From the reception area, guests can view different sections of the hotel through glass walls, such as a car rental office and the restaurant. The lobby bar is cozy and casual with printed floral carpeting, leather couches and chairs, and the soothing sounds from a piano. The restaurant offers a more elegant ambience with wood floors, intimate lighting, and dark high-backed seating. The hotel’s IceBar, with a bar made of ice and neon back-lighting and chic hanging lights, is its swankiest asset. 

Hilton Cologne has a handy location in the city center, a few blocks from Cologne Cathedral. Museum Ludwig is a seven-minute stroll away, while Alter Markt is an 11-minute walk. It’s a 23-minute walk to the Chocolate Museum. Fine shopping areas like Hohe Strasse is a nine-minute walk from the hotel, with Schildergasse a bit farther at 13 minutes. In addition to the on-site restaurants, which can be a bit pricey, there’s plenty of restaurants and bars on the surrounding streets. The hotel sits next to a major transportation hub offering U-Bahn, bus, and tram connections, which makes it easy to explore the city and surrounding areas without a car. It’s a 20-minute drive to Cologne/Bonn Airport.  

With light-wood laminate floors, a pleasing silvery-blue and butter-yellow color palette, and chic armchairs and settees, the Hilton Cologne's 296 rooms are soothing and stylish. The decor, renovated in 2016, is a clear upgrade from the more generic burgundy-and-brown look we photographed on our visit. Room types vary, but all rooms are spacious, and some have views of the Cologne Cathedral. All are air-conditioned, and include work desks, safes, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. Some include mini-fridges. In-room Wi-Fi comes with a fee for non-Hilton Honors members (though the program is free to join for those that want to avoid a charge). Suites include living rooms, and espresso machines. Bathrooms are large, and mirrors have illuminated LED borders. Some rooms have showers, others have shower/tub combos, while the Suites have separate showers and tubs. Hairdryers and Peter Thomas Roth toiletries are provided. Note that past guests have complained about the air-conditioning, heating, and water temperature.

The Hilton Cologne has a robust range of features. Dining options are plentiful -- they start with a pricey breakfast buffet in the Lobby Bar & Cafe, which serves light snacks throughout the day and has an extensive whiskey selection. Restaurant Konrad focuses on international and local cuisine for lunch and dinner, and room service is available. Steak and seafood buffets are available a couple of times a week too. But it's the hotel’s IceBar that stands out. The venue, which attracts locals and guests alike, has a bar made entirely of ice, and serves Designer Shots in ice glasses in addition to a wide selection of vodkas, but it's not open every day. For late-night cravings, Snax, the hotel’s convenience store, is open 24/7. 

There's a business center and 10 fully equipped meeting rooms that can hold up to 400 guests. Wi-Fi is free for Hilton Honors members (guests looking to avoid a fee can join the free membership program). There's also a spa area with a sauna and massage treatments that can be booked, and the gym is huge with various weight-lifting and cardio equipment. There’s a Sixt car rental on-site. Paid self-parking is also available.