Hotel Cologne Rudolfplatz (ex Barcelo Cologne City Center)

We stayed at the Barcelo hotel more for its famous name than for its location, but we found an old hotel in desperate need of a major overhaul. Yes, the rooms were very clean and the hotel could be considered upscale. From the hotel to downtown, it was a 15 minute walk maximum, while a taxi might run 10 €, depending on the taxi driver you get (they love to speed!).