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Excelsior Hotel Ernst Domplatz 50667 Cologne Tel - 221/2701 ~ Fax - 221/135150 Email - ehe@excelsiorhotelernst.de Central location opposite the Dom 152 rooms and suites - with bath/shower/toilet, phone Cable TV, minibar, hairdryer, refrigerator, air-conditioned Restaurant, Piano bar, Room service, Barber/beauty shop Elevators, Health club, Laundry service, Parking/valet service Sauna, Whirlpool solarium, Massage, Babysitting service

WOW...this is one fantastic hotel! The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and it's no wonder. I can unequivocally proclaim this our favorite hotel ever!!!! No, it's not cheap. However, we walked in off the street, after our dismay with construction at the neighboring Dom Hotel, and got a great rate for this 5-star luxury property...165€. Going rates, for a double room, are in the 280€ - 380€ range.
From the minute we stepped up to the front desk... to the day we left... we were treated like beloved members of the family. I can't say enough for every member of the staff! They all exhibited the expected 5-star dignity and propriety, but with a genuine warmth of spirit which was simply amazing! We were... and still are... overwhelmed by the welcome we received each time we walked in the door. The hotel is located "up the steps" from the Hauptbahnhof and "down the steps" from the cathedral. Superb location! Our room was truly a haven! We even had our own doorbell. Gorgeous fabrics and upholstered furniture, with more than enough closet space and a bathroom to die for! No detail was left unaddressed to assure our comfort. And, the air-conditioning was heavenly! We ate at the very highly acclaimed hotel restaurant and were treated to a sumptuous meal with highly attentive and friendly waiters. They even sent back a bottle of wine, after sniffing it and deeming it unacceptable, and promptly brought us a new bottle. It was the first time, I've seen the staff return a bottle of wine before the customers even got to taste it! Breakfast was a full cold buffet, plus a cooked-to-order meal. Unbelievable! The bartender was a charismatic young man who relished the opportunity to regale us with the beauty of his hometown and give us advice on where we should go to enjoy ourselves. He was delightful. I hate to ramble, but I could go on and on about this amazing hotel. It is a splurge...but worth every penny. This hotel will go out of its way to get you anything your heart desires. Let Ludwig have Neuschwanstein. You and I can live like emperors at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst in Cologne!