Mercure Hotel Koeln Belfortstrasse 4 stars

Room is ok, but could use a fridge. Check in was a hiccup and a bit problematic. I didn't use the bar or restaurant. Pool is great for adults to do laps but probably a bit too deep for kids or for people wanting to do gentle exercise. Not too far from cafes, restaurants and public transport. I think I left a t shirt there. I emailed a fee times but nobody responded. Even tried through Twitter. Frustratingly this appears to be the business model for Accor. Annoying that I was across the road from main hotel. Decent sized room, but could use a fridge. Housekeeping was brilliant. A few hiccups at reception when checking in. A little out of the city but once I got used to public transport it was ok Not used Not used

Stayed for 3 nights, it's around a 15 minute walk from the Main station or Cathedral, two routes you can take, one is past the Marriott and music college, the other is up a nice pedestrian street with bars, cafes and shops on it. The hotel is in a nice urban peaceful area, 2 mins to the river front. The hotel is a 4 star officially but without a safe, fridge, or wifi I would only rate it as a 3 star. My room on the 4th floor was quiet and very clean, good storage, good bathroom with toiletries. Nice comfy bed, very big room. Check in was quick and easy although the room wasn't ready until 3pm, I could leave my bag in storage. I was in the block opposite and the restaurant was in the main complex, there is parking should you have a car. Definitely recommend it, if you don't mind the walk to the centre.

Our experience was poor (I would have been disappointed even if it were half the price). The hotel very obviously suffers from lacks maintenance and poor planning. A lot of facilities on paper, but when it comes to the basics, it is lacking. 2 out of 5 lights did not work. The shower door had a peeling adhesive cover on the shower door. I had to wrestle with the Nespresso to get the used pod to drop more than once. The people at the reception were reasonably helpful with finding alternative rooms and options for having dinner on the day of our checking in (since the restaurant was closed). They also helped us figure out public transport options on the next day. The hotel lift was not working, and we were supposed to be in a room on the fifth floor? The restaurant was also closed. The only functional place in the hotel apparently was the bar. The main door also refused to accept my key card sometimes randomly (60% success rate I would say). Thankfully the reception staff had the presence of mind to realise my father was not in a position to climb five flights of stairs after travelling the whole day, and found us room in a different building. On the website of the hotel, it says the restaurant is open till 23:30. However, we reached the hotel at 21:45 approximately and were told the kitchen was already closed. As for facilities in the room, there was only coffee and no tea. There was also only sparkling water and no still water. The facilities were very obviously not tailored for international guests. Did not use the bar, but it seemed to be the only place in the establishment that was active. The hotel is not the easiest to find (without google maps). Two buildings not next to each other is probably not the best layout. At the entrance, we were greeted with stacked chairs in what I later realised was the bar area and not reception (which I suppose should be the first thing you notice when you enter an establishment).

The bartender Vasquez was wonderful!!!! Mr Vasquez was superb!!!

the only bad point was the problem with the swimming pool; I've stayed for almost 2 weeks and this situation remain all my stay, also we are talking about summer season and maybe people expect to take a short swim prior to ending the day or also to enjoy it before starting the day. All other topics were great, people who receives you and manage the place are super gentle and always happy to help with anything: your staff is great, take care of them :)