“Great Location”

We stayed at the 2-bedroom apartment, which is a couple blocks away (on a small street that goes between the Rhine and the Heumarkt). The location is fantastic, and the apartment was very comfortable. We did hear some street noise from people leaving the bars around the corner, but it didn't bother our young children sleeping in the rear bedroom.

“2 bedroom apartment in the heart of Cologne = awesome!”

After a last minute decision to visit Cologne from Frankfurt, we booked our train tickets and a 2 bedroom at the Hotel Hayk. This was one of the few options to accomodate 4 people and we jumped at it. Good thing we did! At check in, we were given the options of a 2 bedroom apartment in the hotel (right on the Reine) or a more "modern" 2 bedroom just a few blocks away. The modern apartment was a block away from St. Andrews Cathedral and a block of the waterfront.... sold! The area is amazing as we could walk down cobbled streets to almost anywhere in the city. Also during our walk to see the apartment, the hotelier, Vlad, gave us several great restaraunt recommendations. This is the way traveling should be! Vlad was extremely helpful and allowed us to stay 3 nights instead of the 1 originally booked without absolutely no fuss (we enjoyed Cologne so much we decided not to return to Frankfurt). I highly recommend staying at the Hotel Hayk and make sure you ask Vlad for the insiders scoop on Cologne!

“Best Location in Cologne”

The Hotel Hayk has a perfect location. It over looks the Rheine River at the KDS river cruise dock. It is less than a 10 min. walk to the train station, Dom, and 2 major shopping streets. The Hay Market is just a block away. We never had to use public transportation. The room was very large, it spans the width of the building. They offer a european breakfast that the locals stopped in for. They have a tap of home brewed beer, and outdoor seating on the Rheine. The owners take pride in the property and clients. They made every effort to make our stay as enjoyable as possible.

“ideally placed for Cologne”

This small hotel is ideally placed for Cologne's old town and the Christmas markets. The room was clean, quiet and had a view over the river. There were no unnecessary fripperies, and the lack of a lift was a challenge when carrying a case - but you get what you pay for. All in all, a very pleasant place in an excellent location. I'd recommend it.

“No frills hotel, Excellent location, Hard to find by car”

The hotel was very difficult to find by car--you must pull up to the back of the hotel building, on a street that is very narrow, only an alley really, as the front of the hotel is on a pedestrian-only walk beside the river. If you have a wide car, don't try it; go straight to the city parking garage and walk the block to the hotel. Once you locate the hotel, parking is in an underground city parking garage one block from the hotel and only half a block from the "family room" apartments (parking was extra, paid at the parking garage). The hotel location is excellent, directly on the river walk along the Rhine river; however, the larger "family rooms" are in a separate apartment building about one block from the river. Both the hotel and apartments are one-two blocks from a nice square/plaza with cafes. It is a very pleasant 5-10 minute walk from the hotel to the Cologne cathedral area, either along the river or via one of several streets with great shopping. We stayed in a family room on the second floor of the apartment building with windows onto an inner courtyard. Our room was old and minimally furnished, but clean and functional. No air conditioning. The "kitchen" was simply a water-heating pot, dishes, silverware and a mini-fridge, that was all, but this was fine for us, because we didn't plan to do much cooking. The hotel breakfast was very good, with an option of sitting outside under umbrellas with a direct view of the Rhine (only the riverwalk intervening).