{"id":5590,"date":"2019-11-12T13:47:35","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T12:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=5590"},"modified":"2021-03-10T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T16:00:00","slug":"25hours-at-the-discovery-of-koln-its-dom-and-the-famous-eau-de-cologne-among-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2019\/11\/12\/25hours-at-the-discovery-of-koln-its-dom-and-the-famous-eau-de-cologne-among-others\/","title":{"rendered":"25Hours at the discovery of K\u00f6ln, its Dom and the famous Eau de Cologne, among others…"},"content":{"rendered":"
A cultural and pilgrimage city, Cologne is the ideal destination for a weekend. Accessible from Paris Gare du Nord, in 3h30 thanks to Thalys, this proximity allows all the desires of discovery. In the heart of Cologne, The Circle Hotel<\/a> made by the 25Hours German group occupies the former premises of an insurance company. A building of the 60s, all in concrete, which offers a specific curved form, like its name.<\/strong><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
This iconic construction of this cleaving era that bears witness to another time gone by but still present in people’s minds. A period when the Soviet model was the stooge in contemporary architecture, where a certain proportion was the norm. <\/strong>By Alex Plato<\/em><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
…start of your eye-catching!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
This muscled architecture is a key…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking advantage of the boon of a building requiring a buyer, following the departure of the Gerling<\/strong><\/a> insurance company, the 25Hours hotel group<\/strong> <\/a>seized the opportunity to invest this historic listed building in the heart of the business area, the Friesen Viertel<\/strong>, with pronounced curves and a certain personality.<\/p>\n

The result, a building renovated by renowned architectural design entities O&O Baukunst<\/strong><\/a>, who designed the building, and Studio Aisslinger<\/strong><\/a>, for the more artistic part, converted the company’s spectacular rotunda, originally occupied by the Insurance Gerling<\/strong><\/a>, in a set worked around the theme of “retro-futurism”. A specific order from this company mogul, to the visionary architect of the time Franz Heinrich Sobotka<\/strong> to imagine those generous lines around this concrete rotunda.<\/p>\n

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholderThe result, after many months of renovation, is amazing. Once you walk inside, you think as if you were in a rocket, ready to fly to the moon. An authentic counter where you would have the opportunity to write on a typewriter<\/strong>, while your friend stops at the souvenirs shop, with full of surprises… and your colleagues are busy in the huge co-working space or in the conference center with its spacecraft<\/strong> portholes. <\/p>\n

A real world apart in the center of Cologne<\/strong>, where you would just need 15 minutes to reach the famous cathedral of Cologne<\/strong>, the Dom<\/strong> and its adjoining international Thalys<\/strong> train station.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

\"\"
..a glam black lift!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Would you invite this cosmonaut in your room?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A galaxy that invites you to invest in its various satellites including the one inspired by the conquest of outer space<\/strong>.
\nMany points scattered throughout the hotel mean this aspect. Like this cosmonaut<\/strong> model neglected in the lobby<\/strong>, waiting for a passing visitor to pose in his company.
\nA real spatial staging illustrates this position with a cosmonaut straight back from the moon, he looks a bit tired by this long trip!<\/p>\n

Your journey in this cosmic space continues at altitude thanks to the various disco atmosphere lifts available for you to climb into your rooms or in the common areas that overlook the city of Cologne<\/strong>.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder\n

\"\"
…with a view on the TV and the city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
An open space bathroom…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For your part, do not worry, your resort will also offer a first-class panorama of the city’s strongly post-war architecture<\/strong>, even from your bathroom, which is sheltered by wooden windscreens. When the night falls, if you leave the curtains open, you will admire the charm of a city at night and will be directed by a blue clock<\/strong> of the future, which you can eventually turn off if its light disturbs you.<\/p>\n

A minimalist<\/strong> atmosphere where the functional reigns. Indeed, you will have as decoration and at the same time of utilitarian, some objects which will make you the visit of the city of Cologne<\/strong> very pleasant. Thus a Freitag<\/strong> bag will facilitate your shopping trips and a bike will be ready from your room and can be completed by another model possibly to borrow gracefully at the reception.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the traffic in Cologne<\/strong> is much by bike or on foot because the places of tourist interest are close to each other and the 25Hours Hotel<\/strong> is a 10-minute walk from the train station. But if you want to get some time out of the city and explore the surroundings of Cologne<\/strong>, know that you could also borrow one of the two Austin Mini<\/strong> for a journey 4 hours!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_3_placeholder\n

\"\"
The comfortable deckchairs to relax at the SPA.. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Those are not the only facilities offered by the establishment<\/strong> since you could also borrow a camera to immortalize your memories on electronic snapshots<\/strong> (photo credits: Alex Plato).<\/p>\n

After your full day of sightseeing, why not relaxing at the sauna<\/strong> located at the top of the building?<\/p>\n

A place of rest conducive to meetings with your neighbors of the hotel<\/strong>, accompanied by tea<\/strong> at discretion available at the fountain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ngg_shortcode_4_placeholder<\/p>\n
\"\"
…and its incredible terraces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The sun always shines on Neni…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You would be relaxed enough to face the evening that could naturally extend to the Neni<\/strong> restaurant, overlooking the 25Hours Hotel<\/strong> and the city in addition. This concept of Israeli<\/strong> and Lebanese<\/strong> fusion cuisine is present in many hotels of the group as a partner institution.
\nThe present configuration offers you here a terrace that bypasses the whole Circle, like its colleague in D\u00fcsseldorf<\/strong>, what to play hide and seek with your friends.<\/p>\n

On the menu, the traditional menu cooked up by the Neni<\/strong>‘s inspired teams, that you many find in many other restaurants<\/strong> of the 25Hours<\/strong> chain.
\nThe menu includes great classics like mezze<\/em><\/strong> reworked with homemade sauces like hummus<\/em>, tahina<\/em> and grilled Mediterranean<\/strong> vegetables and sweet potato fries.<\/p>\n

In addition, other typical dishes of Jerusalem<\/strong> or surroundings promise you strong sensations, unequaled… To accompany Israeli<\/strong> wines or champagne<\/strong> according to your mood! The dessert promises to be just as promising! The trio allows you to taste the bestsellers such as cheesecake, tiramisu and sesame tahina<\/em><\/strong> ice cream, all revisited by the very inspired cooking team. It must be certain that you have never tasted them! Just as much as the view of Cologne<\/strong> that is breathtaking at night!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_5_placeholder\n

\"\"
…of cocktails or just detox tea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A large counter for your order…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A digestive or a cocktail, direction to the Monkey Bar<\/strong>, on the same floor, including a theme on monkeys as the name suggests, starring the creative cocktails of the mixologist Joerg Meyer<\/strong>. A nice way to end the night!<\/p>\n

The next morning, your breakfast<\/strong> brunch is still waiting for you at Neni<\/strong>, certainly your restaurant<\/strong> the day before! On the program, hummus<\/strong> with three flavors, various German<\/strong> breads to fill up with buckwheat and cereals, omelettes<\/strong><\/em> and fresh salty such as cheese, cold cuts and fish from the North<\/strong> (salmon and herring). It is certain that you will appreciate to accompany this plate composed of a fruit salad<\/strong> and a cup of sparkling wine<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Once refreshed, the city of Cologne<\/strong> awaits you. Heavily damaged during the bombings of the Second World War<\/strong>, nevertheless it contains many treasures.<\/p>\n