HOTEL: NH COLLECTION KOLN MEDIAPARK, COLOGNE, GERMANY

THE HOTEL One of eight NH Collection Hotels in Germany, this four-and-a-half star, 217-room property had a major renovation in 2016. The contemporary glass-fronted building holds a ISO 14001 environmental certificate, just one of its many sustainability credentials. An easy 15-minute walk from Hansaring train station – which connects to the airport – the hotel sits in a ‘media park’ that was built to attract TV channels and music companies (although many have since moved to Berlin). The hotel sits next to an ornamental lake and a large park with jogging and walking trails. It’s a 20-minute walk to the city centre.

THE CHECK-IN Set in a spacious and airy lobby, the reception desk was well staffed. I was greeted with a smile and then given a rundown of the hotel and its facilities, plus a map and suggestions for great restaurants and bars.

THE ROOM My ultra-modern Premium Room was spacious, clean and bright. Features included a wooden floor, two red chairs, a white table with a faux-marble top, a Nespresso machine, a large walk-in closet and a huge bathroom with a standalone shower and separate bath. The bed was very comfortable. My view looked down on the lake with the famous Cologne cathedral visible in the distance.

THE FACILITIES An informal groundfloor restaurant serves local and international dishes. The same venue has an extensive breakfast buffet. In the summer a terrace hosts al fresco dining and barbecues. There’s also a small gym with a steam bath and sauna. There are seven meetings rooms of various sizes. The hotel charges a day rate of €75pp for these. The hotel will even calculate the ‘carbon cost’ of a meeting or event and will offset this against an environmental project it is involved in.

THE VERDICT If ever I return to Cologne, this is where I will stay. The location is perfect – an easy connection from the train station, a quick walk into the city and surrounded by a park with jogging trails. The rooms are large and contemporary and the hotel’s many small design touches are fun: I liked the rubber duck in the bath and birdcage filled with sweets and chocolates.

THE DETAILS Im Media Park 8b, 50670 Cologne, Germany. Rates start from £125 per night, including breakfast, for a stay in March/april 2020.