Callas am Dom, Cologne

Advantages: History. Scale. Drama. Art. Views. Free Admission.
Disadvantages: Crowds. Luggage.

...I will refer throughout to the subject of this review as Cologne Cathedral, that being the familiar English term for it. If you wish to carry out further research you will also need to know the German title: "Kolner Dom". Two of my great interests in life are architecture and history; seldom do they merge better and in more spectacular style than in the great churches and cathedrals. Over the years I have enjoyed visiting virtually all of the cathedrals in England - many in Poland during the last seven years too. Since my late teens there had been one cathedral above all others that I had wanted to visit - Cologne. However well one may, or may not, know Cologne, Germany, or even in a much wider sense church architecture, the iconic silhouette of Cologne Cathedral, with its truly colossal twin towers, will probably be familiar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: location
Disadvantages:

...This is a small, friendly hotel in the centre of Cologne literally a stones throw from the cathedral and the roman museum. A number of bars and good restaurants are right on the doorstep and there are two christmas markets within a short walk, including the one in the shadow of the cathedral. The railway station is easily walkable with a small amount of luggage and there are taxis, again, right outside the door. We went in 1999 and couldn't get a room in 2000 because they were renovating. It really is a pleasant place to stay for a couple of days. Especially around the time of the Christmas markets. There is an excellent Lebanese restaurant just down from the hotel towards the river. If you go, take a look at their provocative logo. . .... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Position. Clean. Spacious. Parking. Receptionists.
Disadvantages: Facilities.

...THERE PREVIOUSLY? No we had not, neither have we stayed anywhere else in Cologne. BOOKING PROCESS 8 / 10 Thanks to Travelres.com, a site that we have used before to book accommodation in German hotels, particularly in Dresden, the booking itself was a piece of cake. However, again, this site would have to be taken to task for omitting to mention certain missing facilities here which, I am absolutely sure, would put off many travellers, especially those who have had a long day's journey in order to reach Cologne and the Hotel Victoria - as indeed we had. LOCATION 8 / 10 Geographically, it is difficult to fault the location, easy to find by road with or without the GPS on which it is featured. The Viktoria is central without being IN the centre, for our sight-seeing purposes it proved an excellent choice. It is a mere 800 metres... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful