Book Excelsior Hotel Ernst with VIP Benefits

Carl Ernst opened the original Hotel Ernst on May 16, 1863. Friedrich Kracht bought it in 1871, beginning a connection with the family that shaped much of its history. Between 1908 and 1910, parts of the building were demolished and rebuilt. It reopened with the Excelsior name.

The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Its character comes through in the public rooms as much as the facade: paneled interiors, a conservatory for tea and a bar with a separate cigar lounge. These are places to spend part of an afternoon or evening, with the cathedral and the streets of central Cologne just outside.

Hanse Stube opened in January 1976. Mahogany paneling, English furniture and paintings give the dining room its formal setting. Custom-made porcelain and cutlery are part of the table service, which can include fish filleted beside the table. The smaller Spiegelsalon and Fischsalon can be reserved for private gatherings.

Chef Lars Wolf has led the kitchen since 2025. His cooking draws on French traditions while bringing in flavors from the Rhineland. The menu changes, but the emphasis remains on carefully prepared ingredients and classic technique. Wine is drawn from the restaurant's cellar, which dates to 1910, with a sommelier to guide the choice alongside the food.

At taku, chef Mirko Gaul takes a different direction. He has cooked here since 2011, drawing inspiration from trips to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo and using Western techniques in his East Asian dishes. The restaurant holds one Michelin star. Its pared-back interior contrasts with the hotel's more traditional rooms, with attention centered on the tasting menu.

The Degustation menu is offered in four or six courses, with an optional additional course. A vegetarian alternative can be requested when reserving. Gaul's dishes balance acidity, sweetness and spice, and regional ingredients also appear alongside the wider Asian influences. Wine by the glass allows pairings without committing to a bottle.

The Wintergarten serves petits fours, tarts and pralines made under pastry chef Pavel Tanev, who also creates desserts for Hanse Stube and taku. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches and scones, with a selection of teas. Reservations are required at least twenty-four hours ahead. Visitors as well as overnight guests can reserve tea here, making the conservatory a meeting place for travelers and Cologne residents. Pastries are also available from the display counter to take away, an alternative to setting aside an afternoon for table service.

Charles Bar serves wine, Champagne and cocktails, including its signature Charles Negroni. There is a separate smoking lounge for cigars, while piano evenings take place on selected Thursdays. Proprietor Charles Roulet takes a particular interest in the bar's food and drink. It opens daily from noon, serving drinks and small dishes through the afternoon and into the evening.

A Deluxe Room in the Hanseatic wing measures about 32 square meters. Light fabrics and wood furnishings surround the bed and a small seating corner. A coffee machine, air-conditioning and a choice of pillows are among the room's practical details. The seating area gives you somewhere apart from the bed to read or have coffee.

The Dom wing's Junior Suites cover about 43 square meters, with living and sleeping areas in one open space. Traditional furniture and fabrics sit alongside a modern bathroom. Some look directly toward Cologne Cathedral, but that view is not part of every Junior Suite.

The Cathedral View Suite is slightly smaller at about 40 square meters, yet has separate living and sleeping areas. Its direct view of the cathedral is part of the category. Bright interiors frame the outlook, and some suites also have a walk-in closet. For guests who value a separate sitting room, this layout differs from the larger, open-plan Junior Suite.

The Excelsior Suite extends to approximately 80 square meters. A spacious entrance leads into separate living and sleeping areas, furnished with fine woods and fabrics. It has a cathedral view, a walk-in closet and a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi. A separate guest toilet serves the living area. The additional space allows you to receive visitors without bringing them into the bedroom.

The wellness area occupies the fifth floor. A dry sauna, steam sauna and quiet area provide places to unwind after walking through Cologne. Wellness treatments can be arranged through the concierge on request.

The fitness room is open around the clock and uses equipment from Matrix's Onyx line. A separate room has yoga mats for stretching, mobility exercises or an independent yoga practice. A personal trainer can also be arranged.

Children are welcomed with their own bathrobes and slippers. Hanse Stube has a children's menu, and taku can prepare dishes for younger guests on request. Babysitting is arranged through the concierge. The hotel's culinary activities also extend to children, with cooking classes and seasonal baking sessions offered on scheduled dates. During baking sessions, children work with rolling pins and aprons. There are also scheduled etiquette classes that include laying a table and practicing table manners.

The address is Trankgasse 1-5, 50667 Cologne. From Cologne Central Station, take the main exit toward the cathedral; the hotel is roughly 150 meters away. Platform luggage assistance can be arranged by giving the concierge the train and coach details in advance. Cologne Bonn Airport is around 15 kilometers away. The hotel estimates twenty minutes by car or eighteen minutes by train, subject to traffic and service conditions.

Cars can reach the hotel via Rheinuferstrasse, despite Trankgasse's bicycle-street designation. Valet parking is available. For arrival by car, ask the hotel to confirm the appropriate approach and parking arrangements.