Valk Exclusief begins construction of a new four-star superior hotel in the heart of Cologne, next to the cathedral

With the announcement of the Van der Valk Hotel Köln am Dom, the Dutch hotel group Valk Exclusief is offering a preview of one of its most significant German openings in 2028.

History, hospitality and modern design

Just a five-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral and the main railway station, a new hotel is being built in the former Deutsche Post mail sorting centre on Stolkgasse. The building has a rich history, including associations with Deutsche Post, Deutsche Bahn and the German Architecture Prize. The hotel will feature modern facilities for travel, meetings and relaxation. The interior design incorporates subtle details that pay homage to the building’s rich history.

The building, with its distinctive natural stone and glass façade, was designed by the renowned architect Paul Teunissen. To bring the project to fruition, Valk Exclusief is collaborating with experienced partners such as REESE Baumanagement, Ten Brinke, Tecco Technieken, Elektro Klein and Nijboer Interieur. After years of standing empty, the property – which had long been a derelict building in the city – is set to be repurposed as a high-quality four-star superior hotel in this striking location.

Expansion in Germany

With this new property, the Van der Valk Exclusief group is further expanding its presence in Germany, following the Van der Valk Hotel Düsseldorf’s successful development in recent years into a popular destination for both business and leisure guests.

“Cologne is one of Germany’s most dynamic cities. With our new hotel, we want to create a place where business travellers, city breakers and Cologne residents feel right at home,” says Adriaan van der Valk, director of both the new Hotel Köln am Dom and Van der Valk Hotel Düsseldorf, alongside his wife Willemijn van der Valk. “But it will be more than just a hotel. We are creating an urban oasis in the heart of the bustling city of Cologne, where sustainability, exceptional cuisine and a contemporary lifestyle come together.”

Rooms, suites and long-stay accommodation

The hotel comprises six storeys with a total of 338 stylishly furnished rooms, suites and long-stay apartments. Guests can also enjoy a range of fine-dining restaurants, modern workspaces in the lobby and ten multifunctional meeting and event rooms for meetings, conferences and other gatherings. There will also be an extensive fitness and wellness centre with a swimming pool. A particularly striking feature of the hotel will be the rooftop bar, which is open to the public and offers impressive views of Cologne Cathedral. The hotel also has an underground car park with 260 parking spaces.

“With around 220 jobs and a range of work-study and internship opportunities, the hotel will also become a major employer in the region.”“For us, Cologne marks an important milestone in the further development of our hotel group in Germany,” concludes Adriaan van der Valk. “We look forward to bringing our hospitality and family culture to life here too.”