Hotel Drei Kronen

Hotel Drei Kronen Overview

You know what struck me first about Hotel Drei Kronen? It’s got this unassuming charm that you don’t really notice until you’re already settling in. The building sits right on Auf dem Brand, which honestly sounds more dramatic than it is – it’s actually this quiet side street in Altstadt-Nord that feels refreshingly removed from the tourist chaos around the cathedral. I mean, you’re still close enough to walk to all the main sights (the Dom is maybe eight minutes if you don’t get distracted by the shops), but you won’t have drunk British stag parties stumbling past your window at 2 AM.

The lobby has that particular German hotel aesthetic – clean lines, a bit of wood paneling, nothing flashy but everything works exactly as it should. Check-in was surprisingly smooth, and the woman at the desk actually gave me decent restaurant recommendations (not just the overpriced tourist traps on Hohe Straße). The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid three-star – not huge, but thoughtfully laid out. Mine had this little seating area by the window where I could actually watch the neighborhood come alive in the mornings. The bed was properly firm, and honestly, the shower pressure was better than some four-star places I’ve stayed. There’s something to be said for German engineering, even in hotel plumbing.

What really won me over was the location’s practicality. You’re a two-minute walk from the Appellhofplatz U-Bahn station, which connects you to pretty much anywhere in Cologne without dealing with the surface traffic (and trust me, you don’t want to deal with Cologne traffic). The Imhoff Chocolate Museum is an easy stroll along the Rhine if you’re into that sort of thing, and there’s this great little bakery – Bäckerei Schmidt – just around the corner on Unter Goldschmied where locals actually line up for their morning Streuselkuchen. The hotel doesn’t have parking, but there’s a public garage about three blocks away that won’t completely destroy your budget. Honestly, I’d skip the car entirely and just use the excellent public transport. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet after 9 PM, which might bore some people, but I found it perfect for actually getting some sleep. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’re staying somewhere real Germans might actually live, rather than in some sterile hotel district.

Hotel Drei Kronen Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Drei Kronen

• Great location, clean room. – Diane from Canada – July 14, 2025 (8/10)

  The location is this property is excellent. Very close to many restaurants, the Cathedral and bridges.
  
  What could be improved: No air conditioning and the teeny tiny bathroom.

• A very short walk from the main station, easy to gain access, some noise disturbance – Michael from France – July 2, 2025 (7/10)

  The key box entry system was excellent. Note for other users the key opens the double doors immediately to the left.
  
  What could be improved: Future gusets should note that the street was quite noisy for most of the night. Early hours by people going home after their night out and from 5h00 onwards public services and contractors with noisy equipment arriving for work. Our room was 2nd floor overlooking the street – perhaps it is quieter at the rear.

• Good location and value. Nothing amazing but good for a day or two. – Steven from United States – June 27, 2025 (7/10)

  Great location. Bed was comfortable, bathroom nice. Staff helpful at checkout.
  
  What could be improved: Loud street noise starting at 05:00! Not the hotel’s fault but if it’s warm and you need to sleep with the windows open, you might be woken up really early. No fan. If it had been any hotter that day sleeping would have been uncomfortable. No receptionist after 14:00, but automated check in was easy.

• Great location, comfortable beds, good breakfast – Jeanelle from Australia – June 27, 2025 (8/10)

  Location was perfect. Walking distance to all sights. Good breakfast provided. Welcoming staff. Clean apartment and facilities.. beds were comfortable. Lovely to be on the river with a great outlook to wake up to each morning. Lift was wonderful to have as not common.
  
  What could be improved: We found it uncomfortable without air conditioning. A fan was provided.

• Fantastic Location – Cathryn from United Kingdom – June 22, 2025 (9/10)

  Excellent location

• It was a really good location. I would book again. – Matthew from United States – June 12, 2025 (9/10)

  The location was GREAT. Close to the Hbf train station and just close to everything! Rooms and bathrooms are a bit small, but typical for Europe. Shower stall is quite small. We are smaller people so it wasn’t a problem. The bed was very comfortable, a nice soft but firm mattress. Staff was very nice and helpful. Some rooms have windows facing the Meuse River. We left before breakfast was open, so we can’t comment on that.
  
  What could be improved: I couldn’t get the Nespresso machine to work, even after I watched a YouTube tutorial. Also the floor lamp didn’t work.

• Great location – Emma from United Kingdom – June 1, 2025 (8/10)

  Very comfortable beds, good shower and lovely having tea and coffee making facilities. Excellent location!

• Good location – Lori from United States – May 24, 2025 (8/10)

  The beds were comfortable and the location was great.
  
  What could be improved: The shower was tiny and there was some noise from the restaurants late into the night. It didn’t bother us, but if you’re sensitive to noise you’ll want to take this into consideration

• Very Good – Selena from United Kingdom – May 7, 2025 (8/10)

  Very central location

• Perfect hotel for a few days in Cologne. – Doreen from United Kingdom – May 2, 2025 (8/10)

  Hotel has a restaurant attached – we ate there one night and the food was good.
  The Position of the hotel in Cologne as brilliant, near to everything that you’d want to visit and in the attractive old town with river views.
  Room was comfortable and very clean- bathroom was small, but with an excellent shower and plenty of hot water. Stairwells could do with some TLC.
  Breakfast was plentiful and very good – scrambled eggs were excellent.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

Surroundings