Best Independent Style Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia

Standing right opposite the cathedral (and the station, making it handy for rail travellers), this five-storey 19th-century townhouse is a refined setting to relax after a day’s sightseeing. Unwind in the spa, or with a drink in the cigar lounge, to the sound of live piano music. Excelsior’s Michelin-starred restaurant Taku is a draw, serving an east Asian menu, plus you can sample French fine cuisine at Hanse Stube, take tea in the Winter Garden drawing room and dine al fresco in the courtyard. The hotel’s decor weaves together antique pieces with contemporary textiles, to a sophisticated effect.

Stay just a little out of the city, in the standalone Germania Campus, a former brewery site, reimagined as a place to eat, drink and sleep. The Factory Hotel’s 128 56 metre square bedrooms and 16 suites are found in a new wing, providing peace and quiet away from the buzzier parts of the destination. Modern and minimalist with lots of concrete, polished steel and exposed brick walls, the warehouse architecture has been embraced. Guests can eat in the Dadi Brasserie or in the Spanish La Tapia bar, with breakfast taken in the Seaside, indoors or out.

Located within easy walking distance of the museum quarter, this charming hotel is perhaps best known for its iconic spa. Many guests also choose this establishment because of the very generous buffet-style breakfasts, which incorporate some of the best loved dishes and foods from around the world. Nature lovers are sure to enjoy the rooms that overlook the Old Botanical Gardens, while those who insist on nothing but the best will want to make sure that they secure the Monforte Presidential Suite. Those who are travelling with their entire entourage can secure the three connecting suites so that they take over the entire floor. The Charles Hotel is also renowned for its excellent business facilities, while the large indoor swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind in style.