The Qvest
Design museum meets Gothic monastery. Think authentic Eames shell chairs, 6-meter cross-vault ceilings, a grand staircase to a small art library, and a bar that draws gallerists and artists. Refined but not stuffy — the square it sits on is genuinely quiet and slightly secretive.
The Salon Suite (120 sqm) with the 1390 wooden ceiling and grand piano is the hotel's showpiece room — worth stretching the budget for
Why It Matters
One of the only pre-WWII buildings in Cologne to survive RAF bombing, the 1897 neo-Gothic structure retains ribbed vaults, lancet windows, original stucco, and stained glass. The Salon Suite has a hand-painted medieval wooden ceiling dating to 1390. The interior design doubles as a working collection of 20th-century design icons — not reproductions.
THE QVEST Hideaway occupies a neo-Gothic building from 1897 — originally Cologne's Historical Archive — that survived WWII bombing when most of the city did not. Art collector and former QVEST magazine publisher Michael Kaune spent two years renovating it alongside architect Rolf Kursawe, packing the interiors with Bauhaus and midcentury furniture by Eames, Panton, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier. The result is 34 rooms (plus townhouse and penthouse annexes), each individually designed and hung with curated art, set in a hidden courtyard square directly behind St. Gereon's Basilica.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Historical Suite (Altbau Suite)
The real deal for architecture lovers: five-meter-high ceilings and original Gothic windows that flood the space with light. Dark oiled oak-wood parquet, vintage 1950s–60s furniture, and a coffee/tea machine. A custom wooden screen separates the living area from the chic bathroom, which has a bathtub surrounded by black Parisian metro tiles. Views toward St. Gereon.
King or Queen · 33 sqm
Large Double Room
25–35 sqm with either a desk or a sitting area. High-quality carpeted floors in most, contemporary art on walls alongside vintage 1950s–60s furniture. Bathrooms in black or white marble with either shower or bathtub. Some units offer cathedral-facing or basilica-facing views.
Queen · 30 sqm
Medium Double Room
A comfortable urban retreat, 15–22 sqm depending on the unit. Queen box-spring bed, either plush carpet or light oak parquet, marble bathroom (black or white) with shower. Some rooms face St. Gereon's Basilica — the grandest ancient basilica north of the Alps. All individually designed with vintage furniture.
Double · 18 sqm
Penthouse 360°
A 360 sqm penthouse located near (but separate from) the main hotel building, with floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms delivering a full 360° panorama over Cologne — including a direct view of Cologne Cathedral. Three bedrooms (master with loggia and dressing rooms, plus two further bedrooms). Professional kitchen at star level with steam cooker and Teppanyaki plate. Master bathroom with whirlpool, sauna, and rain shower. SONOS sound system, record player, wine climate cabinet, dining table for 8.
King + King + Queen · 360 sqm
Salon Suite
The standout room in the house. A hand-painted medieval wooden ceiling from 1390 and original Gothic windows make this feel genuinely historic. Separate living room with a grand piano, bar, and chaise lounge. Dark-oiled oak parquet, one of the last hand-painted fir beams from the 14th century above the king bed. The bathroom features a bathtub and Parisian metro tiles. Every window overlooks St. Gereon.
King · 120 sqm
Single Room
Compact but precisely designed for solo travelers. Light oak-wood parquet, a cozy single bed, and a marble bathroom (black or white) with a shower. Design classics from the Bauhaus and midcentury eras are dotted throughout — including Greta Grossman's Grasshopper floor lamp. Small, but nothing feels cheap.
Single · 11 sqm
Townhouse
A separate townhouse with 200 sqm accommodating up to 4 guests. Two exceptional suites (the Townhouse Park Suite and Townhouse Junior Suite) open onto shared living areas. Bright open-plan salon connects to a private terrace overlooking the serene Gerling Park. Fully equipped kitchen, stylish guest bathroom, curated design classics, and selected artworks throughout. Ideal for families, small groups, or longer stays.
Queen (x2) · 200 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A curated library on the second floor with art books, design monographs, and fashion magazines. A reading corner adjoins it. Individual art and design books are also placed in every room. It's the kind of browsing that takes an afternoon without you noticing.
An art gallery housed in the former chapel of St. Joseph, right on the hotel's courtyard. Focuses on international photography and contemporary art. Open to guests and can be used for private events, meetings, or dinners. Michael Kaune's Kaune Contemporary gallery is the adjoining commercial gallery space.
Multiple event spaces: Bar Rossi, the Salon Suite, the KC Gallery (former chapel), the Townhouse Business Lounge with terrace and garden views, and LA FONDA Restaurant. The entire hotel can also be rented exclusively. Film and photo shoots are also available.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Elevator available in the main building. Wheelchair-accessible hotel entrance and routes.
In-room Wi-Fi available throughout the property. Complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy members booking direct; may come at a charge otherwise in some room categories.
Buffet breakfast served daily in Bar Rossi. Mon–Sat 07:00–10:00, Sun 07:00–11:00. €19.90 per person. Freshly baked bread, croissants, Bircher muesli, cold cuts, cheeses, hot drinks at table. Must be reserved the day before.
Pets welcome: 1 pet, max 10kg per room, with a non-refundable fee.
Concierge desk available. Staff are consistently noted in reviews for being attentive, knowledgeable about local dining and culture.
Room service available.
No complimentary shuttle. Paid airport transfer services can be arranged. CGN is approximately 17 km away.
Paid secure parking available on site. Underground parking with direct elevator access in the Townhouse and Penthouse annexes.
The hotel does not have a pool, gym, or spa. The Penthouse 360° (separate residence) has a private sauna and whirlpool for those guests. Not a full-service luxury hotel in amenity terms — design and location are the draw.
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