Four Points Cologne/CGN/Koln, Germany [Master Thread]
May 22, 2006, 3:00 pm
#46
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Originally Posted by BigBopper
Yev,
Consider yourself lucky if this is the worst *wood you've ever been to. I was there for a night in January and it's by far the nicest 4pts I've ever seen. Only downside was the crappy "local" gift.....a piece of chocolate shaped like the Dom.
Consider yourself lucky if this is the worst *wood you've ever been to. I was there for a night in January and it's by far the nicest 4pts I've ever seen. Only downside was the crappy "local" gift.....a piece of chocolate shaped like the Dom.
I have been very happy with my stays in this hotel. Have invariably got a suite on a high floor. The minibar has complementary beverages and breakfast is included on all rates (including awards) AFAIK.
The amenity choice card now also offers a bottle of wine instead of the chocolate.
May 23, 2006, 9:40 am
#47
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
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Originally Posted by AJLondon
I agree.
I have been very happy with my stays in this hotel. Have invariably got a suite on a high floor. The minibar has complementary beverages and breakfast is included on all rates (including awards) AFAIK.
The amenity choice card now also offers a bottle of wine instead of the chocolate.
I have been very happy with my stays in this hotel. Have invariably got a suite on a high floor. The minibar has complementary beverages and breakfast is included on all rates (including awards) AFAIK.
The amenity choice card now also offers a bottle of wine instead of the chocolate.
But the location, the suite availability (some with kitchen) and the breakfast are really great for a fourpoints. And the rates are good, too.
May 23, 2006, 2:42 pm
#48
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Not only is this one of my favourites hotels and I am a very frequent guest there but normally the staff is friendly and helpful, especially as they are not happy with the construction work outside.But I agree, the WiFi signal is not the best, I have had several problems in the past, but the hotel staff solved it by changing rooms or telling the service.
May 23, 2006, 5:19 pm
#49
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My own experiences of this property have been good, but building work always has the potential to transform the experience for the worse. Thanks for the warning and let's hope the work doesn't last too long.
On the wifi point, the rates you quote, though a rip-off I agree, are pretty typical for Germany and indeed Europe as a whole. The only chain offering free wifi across their network in Europe is Radisson SAS at the moment - everyone else charges or gives away access on a property by property basis, and if they charge you can bargain on paying 15 Euro or more per day. By way of comparison, Hiltons I have been staying at in the UK recently wanted GBP15 (well over 20 Euro) for 24 hours. In Switzerland I have typically been charged 7-8 Euro per hour at 4 and 5 star hotels.
People on corporate accounts pay these rates or have a deal to avoid them (such as taking out a subscription with T Mobile, Vodafone, Swisscom or another big provider). Some corporate VPN systems like IPass can get you onto these networks as part of the subscription package.
On the wifi point, the rates you quote, though a rip-off I agree, are pretty typical for Germany and indeed Europe as a whole. The only chain offering free wifi across their network in Europe is Radisson SAS at the moment - everyone else charges or gives away access on a property by property basis, and if they charge you can bargain on paying 15 Euro or more per day. By way of comparison, Hiltons I have been staying at in the UK recently wanted GBP15 (well over 20 Euro) for 24 hours. In Switzerland I have typically been charged 7-8 Euro per hour at 4 and 5 star hotels.
People on corporate accounts pay these rates or have a deal to avoid them (such as taking out a subscription with T Mobile, Vodafone, Swisscom or another big provider). Some corporate VPN systems like IPass can get you onto these networks as part of the subscription package.
May 24, 2006, 7:28 pm
#50
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Just wanted to add that I am now much happier about the whole situation then I was when I originally posted the above message.
First, I didn't originally know about the free breakfast, and that certainly helped improve my mood the next morning (after getting woken up by trains at 6:30
). More importantly however, the hotel upgraded me to the 1002 suite the next day. Although it didn't solve the noise or the WiFi problem - in fact, the suite was actually much noisier then the room due to more windows - it showed that the hotel staff at least cared and tried to fix the situation.
The hotel certainly has quite a bit going for it, including nice perks and great staff. They just need to
1) Drop T-mobile WiFi and get a half-decent vendor
2) Improve soundproofing in the rooms
Speaking of WI-FI, I intend to fight the t-mobile charges on my credit card. My laptop would get connected for 5 minutes, I would login to the t-mobile site, and then 5-10 minutes later I would always lose the connection, yet not be able to login . I just checked my t-mobile account and the .......s charged me $40 in roaming for that. I will be fighting every penny of that charge.
First, I didn't originally know about the free breakfast, and that certainly helped improve my mood the next morning (after getting woken up by trains at 6:30
). More importantly however, the hotel upgraded me to the 1002 suite the next day. Although it didn't solve the noise or the WiFi problem - in fact, the suite was actually much noisier then the room due to more windows - it showed that the hotel staff at least cared and tried to fix the situation.The hotel certainly has quite a bit going for it, including nice perks and great staff. They just need to
1) Drop T-mobile WiFi and get a half-decent vendor
2) Improve soundproofing in the rooms
Speaking of WI-FI, I intend to fight the t-mobile charges on my credit card. My laptop would get connected for 5 minutes, I would login to the t-mobile site, and then 5-10 minutes later I would always lose the connection, yet not be able to login . I just checked my t-mobile account and the .......s charged me $40 in roaming for that. I will be fighting every penny of that charge.
Last edited by yevlesh2; May 25, 2006 at 10:49 am
May 25, 2006, 12:22 pm
#52
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And there was me thinking I was alone in rating this as one of my favourite hotels in Germany - I haven't stayed there since I dropped from Platinum but always used to get upgraded to the suites facing the train station - something very soothing about going to sleep and waking up with train announcements in the background.
I can't think of a hotel in a better city location - 2 minutes to the train station, even less to the u-bahn, 5 minutes to my favourite bar where they keep bringing the beer until you tell them to stop and they sell sausage by the metre!
Typical rate we used to get was €70 per night (incl. breakfast). Lifts were a pain (and tiny from recollection) but the breakfast was great and though there were only 4 drinks in it, the free mini-bar in the suite was a nice touch - there is a little supermarket in the station opposite if you want to re-stock it yourself.
I can't think of a hotel in a better city location - 2 minutes to the train station, even less to the u-bahn, 5 minutes to my favourite bar where they keep bringing the beer until you tell them to stop and they sell sausage by the metre!
Typical rate we used to get was €70 per night (incl. breakfast). Lifts were a pain (and tiny from recollection) but the breakfast was great and though there were only 4 drinks in it, the free mini-bar in the suite was a nice touch - there is a little supermarket in the station opposite if you want to re-stock it yourself.
Jun 3, 2006, 10:35 am
#53
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Mini-trip report - Highly positive throughout :
- Upgraded to x00 suite (2 room + dressing + kitchen)
- Bottle of wine amenity, reasonably good quality (bonus points not on the list)
- great value for money (80 EUR/night, with breakfast & standard mini-bar drinks included)
Trafic situation is indeed a bit messy due to the construction going on in front of the hotel, but that doesn't outweigh the positives
- Upgraded to x00 suite (2 room + dressing + kitchen)
- Bottle of wine amenity, reasonably good quality (bonus points not on the list)
- great value for money (80 EUR/night, with breakfast & standard mini-bar drinks included)
Trafic situation is indeed a bit messy due to the construction going on in front of the hotel, but that doesn't outweigh the positives
Nov 14, 2006, 10:25 am
#55
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yeah, i guess you could check your luggage at the train station and then take the high speed to FRA and fly out of there. that would be more effective, if you have the choice.
thanks, good to know!
thanks, good to know!
Nov 14, 2006, 10:29 am
#56
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Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
how do you walk from train station to Four Points?
..you come out of the station (on the non-Dom side), walk across the road and walk in the door.
Nov 14, 2006, 10:37 am
#57
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OH. on the other side of the train station. i thought you meant on the other side of the Dom, when you said "on the other side" earlier. thats why i was confused how i missed it when i was there.
Nov 14, 2006, 11:51 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I stayed there for four nights last May while in town for a tradeshow.
The price was good. The room was fine. I met some great people at the hotel bar.
Definitely try a bratwurst from the stand at the banhoff entrance across from the hotel, good stuff.
I will stay again at next years show.
The price was good. The room was fine. I met some great people at the hotel bar.
Definitely try a bratwurst from the stand at the banhoff entrance across from the hotel, good stuff.
I will stay again at next years show.
Nov 15, 2006, 7:17 am
#59
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One more thing to consider: At the moment there is a huge construction site in front of the Four Points. They are drilling a new subway tunnel there, so I guess it could be somewhat noisy during the day.
Regards,
Stefan
Regards,
Stefan
Nov 15, 2006, 1:20 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Munich, Germany
Posts: 726
Originally Posted by Stefan0521
One more thing to consider: At the moment there is a huge construction site in front of the Four Points. They are drilling a new subway tunnel there, so I guess it could be somewhat noisy during the day.
Regards,
Stefan
Regards,
Stefan
PM me for good SET codes for both hotels..