Schloss Bensberg

Bergisch Gladbach is located near Cologne. Althoff hotels has one of the most beautiful hotels in Germany, Schloss Bensberg. A former hunting lodge and then boarding school for children of Belgian soldiers and since 2000 a 5-star deluxe hotel. The hotel is part of Leading Hotels of the World.

Driving into the village you will see the hotel, it is located on a hill. A cobbled road is in front of the hotel and as soon as you drive towards the gate you will see the immense building. What a very nice sight. We drive by car along one of the wings to the entrance and park the car there. When we walk in we see a very large lobby with reception. The receptionist quickly checks us in and shows us to our room. She also ensures that the car is parked and the luggage is taken to the room. We walk a long way to our suite.

At the end of the long corridor are the Dom suites. These are suites with a view of Cologne Cathedral. We stay in suite 101. Upon entering a hall with desk and on the left a large living room with sitting area and desk, here is the view of the city of Cologne. Adjacent the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is classically furnished, the living room and bedroom are very luxuriously furnished. Velvet sofas and chairs.

On the table is a welcome envelope, a box of chocolates and a bottle of white wine with a jar of jam.

What we really like is the manual for dog owners. Dogs are allowed in the hotel and in the restaurant Enoteca, but not in Vendôme. The manual includes a room service card for the dog. Food can even be ordered for the dog. We did do this. Tobias couldn’t believe what he saw when the gentleman from room service came in with a bowl of meat, rice, and vegetables. Wonderful to be able to spoil the dog like this.

The bed is more than 2 meters long, we can lie down comfortably. In the living room a bowl of water for the dog and a basket for the dog.

The first evening we have a reservation at Vendôme, the two Michelin star restaurant of Joachim Wissler. The second evening we have dinner at Enoteca. Good Italian food at reasonable prices. The wine list is extensive. We sit outside under the heaters. It also looks nice inside. Highly recommended to eat here. Reservation is a must.

The bar is cozy, there are several seats. Great to have a drink here before or after dinner, together or with friends. It is also a good place to drink coffee in the afternoon. The pastry selection is not extensive, but we ate delicious pastries.

The gym is on the small side. From the gym there is a view of the swimming pool. Everything you need is available in the gym. The weights are not heavy, keep that in mind. You are not in a normal gym, but in a hotel gym, so we don’t mind this. There are plenty of towels and a large jug with water.

Common areas

It takes some effort to find your way to everything despite the building having two wings. Because of the corners in the corridors it is sometimes a bit of a search and a walk from one side to the other, but you can also walk around the outside. There are several doors leading out.

The hotel exudes atmosphere. It is very chic, modern and classic at the same time. We will come back more often. What a great location near Cologne. Should guests go to Cologne, a 10-minute walk away is the metro that takes you to the city center in 30 minutes.

Unique for a hotel is that there is a very extensive library.