This is a grand hotel in the old European standard and is quite self contained. Although you can venture into Cologne to sightsee, it is a 13 mile trip to do so and the hotel has so much to offer that it is an experience and destination in and of itself. When you arrive by car and find the difficult to find grand entrance, you are dwarfed by the majesty of it all with the extensive grounds and long courtyard. They have valet parking and your luggage and car are whisked away. We were met by the reception manager, Herr Hacke and led to our deluxe double room which was just to the left of the second floor balcony as you look at the hotel entrance. It was a large double with a king size bed with 15 foot ceilings and three large windows that view the cathedral of Cologne in the distance. The hotel, based on our package, had provided an iced bottle of Moet et Chandon Brut Champagne and a bowl of wonderfully ripe nectarines that was replenished for free every day. As one of the other reviewers mentioned, the minibar is included in the price of the room. But before you salivate at that news, the minibar consists of a local beer, carbonated water, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Orange Juice. There are no snacks or liquor stocked. The bathroom is all marble to the ceiling and is stocked with upscale toiletries, quality robes and slippers bearing the hotel logo. The breakfast each morning is a very large american (eggs, sausage and bacon) and continental style buffet with cold cuts, cheese, cereals, breads and pastries. The service was very poor for breakfast and I constantly had to track down a waiter to get coffee refills and clear plates. I have only seen a better breakfast at the Hotel Zur Traube in Baiersbronn, which is the best hotel in Germany, in my opinion. The reception bar serves drinks, coffees/teas of your choice and wonderful tortes in the afternoon until 9 PM to include a high tea if desired with all the fixings. At 9 PM, they open the so-called fireplace bar where the atmosphere is like and furnished like an old English Gentleman's club with overstuffed chairs. Live entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They also have an extensive cigar selection which drove me, a rabid nonsmoker, out of there. They have two additional restaurants, the Michelin 2 star, Vendome (Joachim Wissler, Chef) and the Enoteca, a upscale Italian restaurant. Forget the Enoteca, run of the mill food and bad service. The Vendome, on the other hand, is the best restaurant that I have ever eaten in and I have eaten in the best throughout Europe. The things that he does with food and flavor combinations is incredible. Fantastic service and a wonderful wine list. It only has 9 tables, so reserve far ahead of time. The Wellness area is way above average. They have a large vanishing edge pool with waterfall that is made out of mosaic to include gold ones. They have large Roman his and hers Steam Baths, Finnish and Dry Saunas as well as a hot tub and 360 degree spray showers with shampoo and bath gels. My wife and I ordered a St Barts massage, facial and manicure. She also got a lipo body pack and pedicure all of which lasted over 4 hours. Very professional and extremely relaxing. I highly recommend this hotel and place near the top of the hotels that I have frequented.

Adding to the other comment, this is a really nice hotel in a beautiful old castle (Schloss in German). Slight correction to the other review, the hotel actually is located in Bensberg (the reason for the name) which, while officially part of Bergisch Gladbach, has its' own charming city center eight kilometers (five miles) from the Bergisch Gladbach city center.

The Schlosshotel is part of the ultra luxury chain Althoff which also has the beautiful Schloss Lerbach in nearby Bergisch Gladbach (with one of the best restaurants in Europe). In the Schlosshotel you should also make sure to dine in the Vendome which is Michelin star decorated and won Restaurant of the Year by Germany specialty magazine Feinschmecker in 2001.

Try to get a room with a view towards Cologne since you might be able to spot the spectacular Cologne Cathedral on a clear day. Standard rooms are nice but a little small. If you can afford it, book one of the nicer rooms, it is worth it.

Staff is very friends and speaks perfect English and many other languages. The hotel has quick Autobahn access to Cologne so could also be used if having to work in Cologne. When I stayed there in 2002 there were some small service issues which will have very likely been taken care of by now.

As an airline employee, I have had the opportunity to visit some of the best vacation spots in the World along with their finest hotels. Out of all of the places I have been in the world, the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is the best. The hotel is definitely not for the leisure family traveler with children, but more for couples looking for an exciting weekend getaway. The rooms are fabulous and come with complimentary mini bar service and fruit service which is replenished on a daily basis. The rooms feature goose down comforters and the room steward turns down your bed each evening and accompanies it with a chocolate mint. The bathrooms are decorated in marble, have a huge soaking tub and complimentary use of plush & terry cloth robes, plus slippers. The indoor pool area is magnificent and much of the pool area is trimmed in gold. The pool itself is very refreshing with a waterfall at one end to add to the elegance. The pool area also features a hot tub, which is set off to the side. Because of the elegance of this hotel, there are seperate elevators to access the pool so that guests do not walk through the lobby in their swimming attire. Bergisch Gladbach is a beautiful little town not too far from Cologne (Koln) which offers some great little Italian restaurants just down the hill from the hotel. My advice: visit in February and you might be lucky enough to get a dusting of snow on the hotel which provides for a magnificent backdrop!