In late 2023, Dennis had the idea to visit Bonn in North Rhine-Westphalia for its Christmas Market. A good idea. We chose Bonn over Cologne or Aachen, as Cologne’s – and Aachen’s – Weihnachtsmarkt is a mass tourism event. Even if Bonn used to be the capital of the German Federal Republic when it was known as West Germany and at the start of a reunited Germany, the city is quite small. And, so we expect, the Christmas Market more cosy and with a higher ratio of local people. 

It’s perhaps unusual to start with a hotel review. We arrived in Bonn around 7 PM. We checked in, dropped our bags, went to the city centre to eat – at Paulaner Salvator – and to explore the Christmas Market. But I’ll talk about the Christmas Market of Bonn later. 

Introduction

When I sent photos of Dorint Hotel Bonn to Danny, he quipped “tell me you’re in a German hotel without telling me you’re in a German hotel”. Indeed, Dorint Hotel Bonn is very German. A peculiar cocktail of cosy and business-like, with a lot of beiges, browns and off-whites. A clean look, but still cosy. 

We chose the Dorint for its amenities. A pool, a gym, a sauna and a garage. 

The receptionists are friendly and efficient. We were swiftly checked in and received all necessary explanations. The gym is open 24/7, the pool from 5 AM to 11 PM and the sauna from 5 PM to 11 PM. Breakfast is served from 6.30 AM until 11 AM in weekends and until 10 AM on weekdays. Those are very generous hours!

The room

The room, marketed on Booking as ‘Room with Kingsize Bed‘, is fairly spacious. It features one kingsize bed, with two German style folded duvets. A television, a desk, an armchair, a Nespresso machine and a kettle for tea. An empty fridge, storage room. An assistant in the form of a tablet. There are a lot of cup and glasses options, which is nice. 

There is a lot of light available. Ample power sockets, but no USB outlets. There’s heating and air conditioning. We couldn’t really figure out how to adjust the heater, but the temperature was fine. 

The bed is comfortable, the pillows soft. Perhaps too soft, but you get two pillows each.

The bathroom features one sink, a toilet, and a bath tub, which is also a shower. No rain shoer option. As you can see, the bathroom is clean and all, but can use an update. 

The cosmetics are branded Olive Care and are fixed in dispensers. There’s hand soap and lotion, and a shampoo – shower gel combination. 

Hidden by the night, the room has a ensuite balcony. Which gave us a view on the Rhine!

Not unimportant: while the WiFo deconnected sometimes, its speed was very satisfactory. 

Sauna and pool

Under the name ‘Vital Spa‘, Dorint Hotel Bonn has a gym, a pool and a sauna. The sauna includes a sauna proper and a less heated ‘thermal’. Being in Germany, the sauna is a nude area. But quite a few people did not adhere to that mantra. 

The Vital Spa has changerooms with toilets and showers and lockers. Bring a 2-euros-coin for the locker. 

Between the sauna and pool, there’s a resting area with beds and seats.

The pool is quite large and not deep. The water is warm. No kitsch or camp decor, but a rectangular, straightforward pool. 

The gym

Part of the Vital Spa is the 24-hour gym with all the machines, free weights and accessories you need. I’ve had better equipped or fancy hotel gyms, but also many ‘worse’ hotel gyms. No, the Dorint Hotel gym is good. I was happy.

The Vital Spa was certainly a popular spot. While not crowded, we were certainly never alone. And rightly so. While not extraordinary in its concept, the wellness area is very pleasant one. Again, I’ve seen fancier, but way more often I have experienced way more underwhelming facilities. 

Breakfast

Breakfast was not included in our fare. On Saturday, we gave it a go. What’s on offer? Your typical hot English breakfast options, cold cuts and cheeses, yoghurts, cereals, bread and bread rolls, pains au chocolats and croissants, juices, water, salad bar items and coffee and tea. I didn’t see a hot chocolate option, which makes my inner child sad. 

And – after Park Hotel Hong Kong it’s the second time I see this machine – a pancake making contraption. 

A nice offering, but standard. Dennis and I expected more for 27 euros per person. Except a typical bonner (i.e. the adjective of Bonn) bread roll, there was nothing really local. Why no German cheeses? 

Breakfast was all right, surely. But  nothing to be amazed by… except perhaps the ‘fresh butter making’ machine. 

So?

Don’t let the lukewarm enthusiasm for the breakfast deceive you. Both Dennis and I enjoyed our stay at Dorint. It emphasized the attraction of a luxury hotel with all its facilities when on a city trip or excursion.

Dorint Hotel Bonn os marketed as a four-star hotel and it merits all four stars. This Dorint is superior to quite a few four-star hotels I stayed at in 2023. You can always check our many hotel reviews by clicking on ‘Stay‘ on top of the blog.