WHAT’S IT LIKE? This Radisson Blu opened in 2003, and is a glistening, modern, new-build made from glass and steel. The lobby is big and airy, with a 15-metre high glass ceiling – step out of the lifts on floors one to four and you can take it all in from above. These open-sided corridors also offer views of the lobby walls, which have giant, pale grey silhouettes of dancers on them that can only really be appreciated from a height.

In the middle of the lobby is a bar with comfy brown leather sofas and a gauze curtain surrounding the area to add a feeling of privacy. You can also smoke here. Upon entering the hotel, look out for the life-size rhino cast in bronze, and then head for the desks on the left where friendly staff wait to check you in.

WHERE IS IT? Contrary to what it says on the website – that it is “a short walk from the historical city centre” – the hotel is in fact on the opposite side of the River Rhine and the main tourist sites of the old town and cathedral. However, it is well positioned for business travellers as it is very close to the Koelnmesse trade fair ground, the Cologne Exhibition Centre and the Lanxess Arena. Koln Messe/Deutz station is a five-minute cab ride away, while the city centre is 15-20 minutes’ drive, depending on traffic.

ROOM FACILITIES Comfort rooms are the lowest category and measure about 29 sqm. These come with combined baths and rainshowers, free wifi/wired internet (leads are always to hand), a good-sized desk, a laptop safe with charger, air conditioning and windows that open, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar (call reception for spirits), a hairdryer, and an iron/ironing board.

I was staying in a Business Class Junior suite, which had a separate bath and shower and was a little bigger than normal Business Class rooms. Business Class rooms are ideal for corporate guests – they are 29 sqm on average, although some are bigger, and offer additional services including Nespresso machines, a daily newspaper, bathrobe and slippers, a huge workdesk, Sony flatscreen TV, free on-demand movies and breakfast.

Décor is contemporary and understated, with a palette of oatmeal, chocolate, olive green, cream and slate grey. My room had views over a pleasant-looking courtyard at the back, with seating for the restaurant, plus a few trees and some water features. I could also see into offices on the far side, which meant anyone in them could probably see me, so I kept the light, silky curtains drawn for privacy. (There are also blackout curtains.)

The bathroom was a decent size and had lots of counter space for toiletries, a heated floor, twin sinks, and a separate bath and rainshower. Toiletries were miniatures by Anne Semonin. My only criticisms were that the towels were too small – they were more like large hand towels that bath towels – and the bed had two single duvets on it as opposed to one double.

HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 393 bedrooms across five floors (one-six). The categories are Comfort (333 rooms), Business Class (52), Junior suite (seven), and a 100 sqm suite.

ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The free wired/wifi internet and movies, the extra-large work desk, Nespresso machine and the walk-in rainshower.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS There are two eateries at the Radisson Blu, both on the ground floor just off the lobby where there is also the Lounge bar, which serves cocktails, coffee and draught beer (happy hour is 6pm-8pm). Pronto is open for a self-service breakfast buffet 6.30am-10am in the week and 6.30am-12pm at the weekend. The selection of foodstuffs is good, with hot dishes including scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes and sausages, and cold dishes including meat and cheese, fruit salad, cereal and yoghurt. However, some of the warm food was a little disappointing in quality and the eggs were overdone. The juice was not freshly squeezed.

Adjacent is Paparazzi restaurant and 60-seat outdoor terrace – the hotel’s Italian-themed diner has an open cooking station, a wood-fired pizza oven, antipasti buffet, and chic, modern décor. Luckily, it is a decent eatery, as in this part of Cologne there aren’t many other restaurants around, at least within walking distance. I ate there one evening and enjoyed a really tasty meal – I (rather greedily) had crepes stuffed with asparagus and ricotta, followed by a tomato, basil, mozzarella, olive and pesto pizza. It was a lot to get through but the starter was so delicious I was glad I had it, even though I couldn’t finish the main. The waiting staff were was amiable and attentive. Paparazzi is open for lunch and dinner in the week from 12pm-3pm and 6pm-11pm. At the weekend it is open for dinner only.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are seven dedicated events spaces (all with natural daylight and free wifi), the largest of which can accommodate up to 250 delegates. However, some of these venues can be subdivided into smaller ones of 24 sqm to 120 sqm. The Auditorium and Concilium are on the ground floor and have access to the outdoor courtyard and a broad corridor (the Forum) that can double as a pre-function space. The other four venues are on the first floor.

The Radisson Blu also offers a range of teambuilding activities including pizza baking and cocktail master classes for groups of up to 15, and sit-down barbecues for up to 200 people in the courtyard. Paparazzi restaurant, Pronto and the terrace can also be hired for events.

LEISURE FACILITIES Downstairs in the basement is the hotel’s health and fitness area, known as the Vitarium, open 24 hours and accessible by key card or on request if guests want use of it before 6am or after 11pm. It features 350 sqm of space and includes a gym with Life Fitness machines and free weights, a solarium, a massage room (book one hour in advance), a steam bath and a sauna.

VERDICT A modern, comfortable business hotel with a good on-site restaurant, free wifi throughout and decent events facilities. The Business Class rooms are recommended.

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in April started from €109 for a Standard room, or €195 for a Business Class room including breakfast.

CONTACT Radisson Blu, Messe Kreisel 3, Cologne; tel +49 221 277 200; radissonblu.com/hotel-cologne