Ibis Koeln Am Dom, CologneIbis Koeln Am Dom in Cologne, Germany has a corrected score of 3.1 ± 0.6 (thin evidence, no platform scores), ranked 56 of 129 hotels we score in Cologne. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.1 before correction. Rooms from about $125 a night (cached, not a live quote).The Ibis Koeln Am Dom is a two-star budget hotel sitting directly beside Cologne Cathedral and the central train station in the heart of Cologne. Rooms are simple and modern rather than luxurious, and the hotel suits travellers who care more about location and price than frills, including business guests, who get a business centre and free internet terminals. There is a 24-hour bar, a mini-market, safety deposit boxes and a round-the-clock front desk, plus air conditioning, parking and pet-friendly rooms. The S-Bahn connection next door makes getting around easy. The main limitation is the basic standard: this is functional accommodation, not a place for a special-occasion stay. Rates start around $125 a night.What stands out

Steps from the cathedral and station

Clean, comfortable rooms

24-hour bar and front desk

Direct S-Bahn transport links

Watch out for

Basic two-star standard throughout

Simple rooms, few frills

Better-scored in Cologne

Atrium Apart Hotel Bruehl, Cologne: 4.0 ± 0.3 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), from $134 a night. Atrium Apart Hotel Bruehl is a smoke-free aparthotel in Bruehl, Germany, with 66 apartments ranging from 27 to 65 square metres.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne: 3.9 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), from $275 a night. The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a five-star hotel opened in 1863 and still family-owned, standing directly opposite Cologne Cathedral on Trankgasse.

Loginn Koeln Airport, Cologne: 3.8 ± 0.4 (thin evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), from $97 a night. Loginn Koeln Airport is a 3-star hotel situated in the Porz district of Cologne.