Urban Loft Cologne, CologneUrban Loft Cologne in Cologne, Germany has a corrected score of 3.7 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), ranked 8 of 129 hotels we score in Cologne. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 3.7 before correction: Booking.com 3.6, Tripadvisor 3.9. Rooms from about $108 a night (cached, not a live quote).Urban Loft Cologne is a four-star hotel on Eigelstein in the Altstadt-Nord district, about five minutes on foot from Cologne Central Station and the cathedral. Its 213 air-conditioned rooms come with comfortable beds and free Wi-Fi, and guests can use a fitness centre, shared lounge, rooftop and summer terraces, an on-site art gallery and a convenience store. The hotel also has a restaurant, parking, pet-friendly options and welcomes families. Rates start at around $108 a night. It suits travellers who want a modern base close to the station and main sights. Some central attractions such as Neumarkt and the Chocolate Museum are a longer walk, roughly 25 minutes away.What stands out

Five-minute walk to station and cathedral

Rooftop terrace and art gallery on site

Pet friendly with pet sitting available

Family friendly with parking and gym

Watch out for

Some sights a 25-minute walk away

Booking.com rating of 7.1 is modest

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.