Get to know Ella
Hit the lights, roll the cameras and strike up the band, because Ruby Ella is coming to you live from the Capitol in Cologne. Built on the site of the studio that once hosted Germany’s most popular talk shows, Ella’s roots are well and truly star-studded.
The 1990s late-night boom saw The Harald Schmidt Show and TV Total beamed live across Germany from this spot, featuring the biggest names from movies, music and comedy.
That’s why we’re bringing back the 90s late-night TV buzz. From polished chrome and neon signs to microphones and musical instruments, the bar harks back to those heady days, while plush fabrics and smooth curves recall the Capitol’s theatrical beginnings in the 1950s.
Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, our bar menu has you covered. Along with dangerously delicious cocktails and snacks, we serve up a healthy breakfast and barista coffee.
Upstairs, each room reflects our unique Lean Luxury style, with a big, comfy bed, a rainfall shower and soft, fluffy towels. While wood panelling and floors add natural texture, metallic accents and a moonlit skyline nod to the city by night. And, instead of a house band to play you in, there’s a Marshall amp to add oomph to your playlist.
Friesenplatz station is right outside, from where the city centre and main station are a three-minute tram ride, and the airport’s half an hour away.
The Warner Late Show
Warner Bros. presents the new 'Warner Late Show' comedy, with entertainer and cabaret artist Philip Simon. The show will be held over four weekends starting on 23 October at Ruby Ella, the former Capitol site which was once home to Harald Schmidt, Stefan Raab and 'Die Wochenshow' in the 90s and 00s.
Philip Simon invites comedians, cabaret artists, poetry slammers and entertainers from all over Germany for a one-hour live show, breathing new life into the German comedy scene.
24-Hour Bar
Combining 90s glitz with 50s glamour, the Ruby Ella bar blends neon and chrome with plush fabrics and smooth curves, while microphones and musical instruments hint at Ella’s past life on air.
It’s an inspiring space where people come together to share tall tales and grand plans, catch an up-and-coming band or just unwind with a skilfully shaken cocktail.
Find an armchair in a cosy nook, grab a table or perch at the bar – our designers have made sure there’s a comfy spot for everyone.
Breakfast
Our healthy, locally sourced breakfast buffet with fresh barista coffee and organic tea will set you up for the day ahead.
Tuck into fresh fruit and superfood cereals, along with wholegrain bread from the local bakery, and a delicious selection of meats and cheeses.
Galley
Fancy a drink, forgotten your toothbrush or need a quick ironing fix? Head to a Galley – they’re on floors one to four.
There, you’ll find hot water and free organic tea, along with an ironing board and iron.
There’s also a Maxi Bar where you can buy everything from soft drinks and snacks to an umbrella or a toothbrush.
Guest Perks
Music’s a big part of life at Ella. That’s why you can hire an electric guitar for an impromptu jam, tune into Ruby Radio in your room and even catch live acts in the bar.
Of course every musician needs a muse, and ours is Cologne. The best way to explore is on two wheels, so rent a Ruby bike and get pedalling.
Ruby Shop
Loved your stay? Now get the goodies. From tea, coffee and scented candles to Ruby Care shampoos and shower gels, you’ll find all you need to unwind when you get home.
To recreate the full Lean Luxury vibe, you can even buy our bedding – all of which has been carefully designed with a great night’s sleep in mind.
Sustainability
Since the start, we’ve taken lots of steps to be sustainable. From choosing renewable energy to streamlining systems to reduce paper use, some of it’s behind the scenes.
In your room though, you’ll notice smart lighting and refillable Ruby Care amenity bottles, along with renewable natural materials like wood panelling and flooring. Where possible, we also rescue and restore second-hand furniture to add character and cut our carbon footprint.
We’re lucky enough to have some brilliant local suppliers in our home cities. That means we can keep our food and drink miles down on everything from breakfast treats to beer and wine.
Safe, Sound & Sparkling
Our Ruby hotels are open and ready to welcome you on your next city trip. Guests and locals are free to have drinks and snacks on our rooftops, outdoor areas and in our 24/7 bars. We’ve also made a few changes, to help keep everyone healthy and happy:
- Spotless bedrooms – every room is deep cleaned and disinfected between guests.
- Squeaky clean shared spaces – we regularly clean and disinfect public areas throughout the day.
- Spotlight on surfaces – all touchscreens, handles and buttons are cleaned at least once an hour.
- Covid tests for all of our teams – our hotel hosts and teams behind the scenes are all offered twice-weekly Covid testing.
- Hand sanitiser on tap – you’ll find touch-free dispensers at the bar, at check-in and in the WCs.
- Face masks and screens – for extra peace of mind, we’ve put up screens and are wearing face masks.
- Bars and terraces with enough space – for more distance.
- QR Code scanning - easy and traceable.
- Cashless and quick – we can only accept card and contactless payments at the bar.
Please check the current travel and hospitality policies for Germany.
Discover the very best of Cologne with insider tips from our local hosts.
Looking for a lunch spot, a culture fix or the best bars in town? We’ve got you covered.
Take some time out with a coffee and the latest lifestyle stories and Ruby news.
Featuring interviews with artists, musicians and entrepreneurs, there’s inspiration for everyone.
From live bands to meet the author evenings, we’ve got lots lined up at Ruby Ella.
Stay tuned to find out what’s on while you’re in town, then grab a cocktail and join in the fun.
Just a 50-minute train ride away you’ll find Ruby Carl, our stylish shared workspace located in Dusseldorf.
Set up at a desk or book meeting rooms and private offices for a day, a week, a month or more.
Find us
Ruby Ella Hotel & Bar
Hohenzollernring 79-83
50672 Cologne
ella@ruby-hotels.com
Sandwiched between Cologne’s old town and the arty Belgian Quarter, Ruby Ella makes a great base for both first-timers and frequent visitors.
If it’s classic Cologne you’re after, the Altstadt is two tram stops away, where you’ll find the iconic cathedral, along with museums and galleries to catch up on culture.
If shopping’s more your style, Schildergasse is a two-stop hop on the tram, and you’ll find everything from historic arcades to ultramodern malls for some serious retail therapy.
When it’s time for a breather, hit the Belgian Quarter for the city’s best coffee or make a beeline for a Brauhaus, where Kölsch, the local tipple, is served up by the stein.
Come dinner time, everything from street food to Michelin stars are a short walk or tram ride away. And afterwards, the friendly pubs, clubs and cocktail bars of Friesenplatz, Ehrenfeld and Hohenzollernring are within easy reach of your room.
Friesenplatz station is right on Ella’s doorstep. From there, the city centre and main station are a three-minute tram ride, and the airport’s half an hour away.
Parking
We have a small car park at Ruby Ella, but spaces are first come, first served and we can’t guarantee you a spot.
A 24-hour ticket costs €20, and you can park until 2pm on the day of your departure.
When you arrive, park outside the hotel, come in to the bar and we’ll explain how it works.
There are some parking spaces on the surrounding streets, but remember you’ll need a ticket and there’s often a limit on how long you can stay.
Lean Luxury
Like you, we travel a lot. And wherever we go, we expect three things: a great night’s sleep, a powerful shower and top-notch connections – both to the city and the WiFi.
What we’re less keen on is paying for extras we never use. In dynamic cities bursting with Michelin stars and foodie pop-ups, room service sandwiches just don’t cut the mustard.
So we set out to create the best of both worlds – hotels with style and substance, but none of those expensive extras.
It’s what we call Lean Luxury.
To us, luxury means laid-back comfort in characterful surroundings, right in the heart of the city.
The lean part is all about being smart with space, streamlining things behind the scenes and doing away with the things you don’t need.
This innovative approach saves us and you money, without compromising on comfort.
Contact us
Please note, bookings of up to nine rooms can only be made online using a valid credit card.
HELP WITH AN EXISTING BOOKING
+49 221 999936 40
ella@ruby-hotels.com
GROUP BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES
To book nine rooms or more, send us a message here or via
groups@ruby-hotels.com
CORPORATE BOOKINGS
EVENTS
PRESS, MEDIA & COOPERATIONS
Good to know
- All rooms are designed for one to max. two persons.
- All rooms are non-smoking rooms.
- Arrival: Check-In from 3 pm. Sometimes we manage to clean and disinfect your room earlier but we cannot guarantee this.
- Your suitcases can be stored at the hotel until the room is ready.
- Departure: Please note that your room must be vacated until 11 am.
- No Check-Out required - we will send your invoice by email.
- No extra bedding available and only a limited number of baby cribs. (please inquire prior to your arrival)
- No twin beds available.
- Young people under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
- No liability for valuables not stowed in the room safe.
- Due to fire safety reasons, the usage of brought along electrical devices such as kettles or irons is not allowed.
- Please note that there are no pets allowed at the hotel. Service and guide dogs, however, are allowed and can stay for free.
- GDS Booking Codes
Sabre - GD 390502
Galileo - GD G3585
Worldspan - GD CGNRE
Amadeus - GD CGNREC
DHISCO - GD 32640