Munich hotels

The Rosewood Munich has been one of the best hotels in the city since its opening in autumn 2023. The central location in the old town, in close proximity to Marienplatz and Maximilianstrasse, is unbeatable. Upon entering the imposing building, you feel like you're in a palace, with the modern design harmoniously reflecting the history of the property. The 132 rooms and suites offer luxurious comfort – a highlight is the 4,850 square foot rooftop suite, which hosted singer Adele on a recent visit to Munich.

My personal recommendation: Drinks at Bar Montez with live jazz and a serving of truffle fries. The combination of elegant surroundings and relaxed music makes the bar a unique place to be. The Asaya Spa with its indoor pool, sauna, and steam bath is the hotel's other extra-special highlight. Retreat here to enjoy a day of pampering and wellness.

The Bayerischer Hof is one of the oldest, most traditional, and best hotels in Munich, where stars like Sophia Loren, Queen Elizabeth, Kylie Minogue, and Michael Jackson have stayed. The latter even has his own monument in front of the hotel, which is one of the many sightseeing spots in the city. The more than 330 rooms, including 60 suites, are each decorated uniquely in a colourful mix of designs.

The accommodation styles range from classic and elegant to creatively crafted – including designs by Belgian interior designer Axel Vervoordt. The ‘Blue Spa’ with its wellness offerings, rooftop pool, and large rooftop garden overlooking the Frauenkirche on the seventh floor is well-known in the city. In winter, the space is transformed into the Polar Bar, featuring cosy fireplaces and mulled wine.

In summer, I like to come here for special occasions because it feels a bit like being in a different world. Speaking of drinks, some of the best cocktails in the city in the coolest South Seas ambience can be found at ‘Trader Vic's’, the iconic bar in the basement of the Bayerischer Hof.

The newest addition to Munich's roster of luxury hotels is the Königshof, located in close proximity to the main train station and the Stachus. Although the hotel has just opened, the name ‘Königshof’ has a long tradition, as one of the most renowned guesthouses in the city stood here until 2019. This tradition is now being continued with a new building by the famed Spanish architect Nieto Sobejano, ensuring that it remains one of the best hotels in Munich.

The Königshof is already known for its diverse culinary experiences: from breakfast with a panoramic view of the city to the Latin American rooftop restaurant Greta Oto, led by Peruvian chef Michael Cánepa. For me, the ceviche is one of the city's greatest delicacies.

Art also plays a central role at this location, with works by renowned painters complementing the interior of the 106 rooms. The best room in the house is the 2,700-square-foot Presidential Suite with its own private spa, including a pool and sauna.

If you're looking for a trendy place to stay, Roomers is the place to be. What it lacks in extravagance, it makes up for in edgy style: This design hotel in the Westend is famed for its combination of modern interiors and urban lifestyle. It's no wonder that celebrities like Leonardo Di Caprio, Naomi Campbell and David Guetta have stayed here. It's location is especially practical during the Oktoberfest, which is just a 15-minute walk away.

Even though the corridors of the hotel may seem mystical with black walls and dark floors, the 280 rooms and suites are very bright with cool features like freestanding bathtubs, Bluetooth speakers, or even a private steam bath in the suites. The ‘Izakaya’ on the ground floor is, in my opinion, one of the best Asian restaurants in the city, and the adjacent bar has become a party hotspot over the past few years. My tip: let the bartender surprise you with a custom creation – the cocktails in this boutique hotel in Munich are always top-notch.

You can't get any closer to the city centre, as the Adults-Only Hotel Beyond By Geisel is located right in the middle of Marienplatz, offering a view of the town hall and St. Peter's Church. With just 19 rooms, this boutique hotel is small and exclusive, with a strong community concept. For example, there is no traditional restaurant here, but instead an open kitchen where guests can gather and watch the in-house chef cook up a storm – all in a relaxed manner without fixed meal times.

What I particularly like is that although the hotel is in the heart of the city, you can cosy up with a book in front of the fireplace in the library and watch the hustle and bustle from a safe distance through the glass-front. The rooms are very stylishly furnished with dark parquet floors, freestanding bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light and offer a view of the heart of Munich.

I have already talked a lot about the most beautiful rooftop terraces in Munich and would now like to add Mandarin Oriental's offering to the list. If you want to enjoy a drink with a view over the city and be right in the middle of the action, this is the perfect place for you. In winter, the rooftop of this 5-star hotel, one of the best in Munich, even offers attractions such as a rustic alpine hut, ski gondolas, or transparent plastic igloos in which you can have dinner.

The Mandarin Oriental on Neuhauser Platz has 73 rooms and 25 suites that combine modern comfort and elegant design. Celebs regularly stay here, but every guest receives the star treatment. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, be sure to book a table at Matsuhisa Munich, the in-house restaurant of the famous sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa. Don't forget to try the Japanese tiramisu after your sushi.

The 25Hours Hotel in Munich is one of the most hyped hotels in the city, alongside Roomers, if you're looking for a cool vibe, relaxed atmosphere, and modern ambiance. Although everything here is top-notch, the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian still manages to maintain a casual feel, which is why it ranks among the best hotels in Munich for me.

Located directly opposite the main train station, the 165 rooms bear names like ‘State Room’ or ‘Noble Quarters’, reflecting the history of the place. In the past, the historic building housed a post office-cum-telegraph office, which is evident in the interior design. For example, you'll find old rotary dial telephones or typewriters where you can type love letters.

It's also convenient that you don't have to walk far for food, as the ‘Neni’ is located on the ground floor, one of the city's best Israeli restaurants.

Although I live in Munich, I regularly visit the Charles Hotel for two reasons: because it has one of the most beautiful spas in the city and because it recently opened a very special restaurant, Florio. The hotel has 136 rooms and 24 suites, which, due to its unbeatable central location, offer a wide view over the city and the adjacent park, the old Botanical Garden. The main train station and Stachus are just a few minutes' walk away, and Maximilianstrasse and Marienplatz are not far either.

But back to the spa: The Charles Hotel has one of the largest indoor pools in the city, and the wellness area with its sauna, steam bath, and massage rooms covers over 8,000 square feet. You can spend the whole day here quite comfortably before heading to dinner at Florio in the evening to sample some authentic Italian cuisine.

The fact that the Andaz Hotel is located slightly outside the city centre is immediately offset. Namely, thanks to it housing the trendiest spa in the city, which even us locals visit regularly, and its rooftop terrace, the M'Uniqo Rooftop Bar, on the twelfth floor. Here, you can enjoy excellent drinks while enjoying a stunning view.

The extensive spa area encompasses a pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and the option to relax outside in the sun.

The grand entrance hall of the Andaz always gives me the feeling of being in New York, and the many lifts taking guests to one of the 277 rooms add to the metropolitan vibe. A highly recommended spot is also the restaurant with the charming name The Lonely Broccoli on the ground floor of the Andaz, where you can find probably the best meat in the city.

The Flushing Meadows is a winner for me primarily thanks to its location, as Fraunhoferstraße in the Glockenbachviertel is the perfect spot to get to know Munich from all sides. Not too loud, but also not too quiet and still very central. The river Isar is only a few minutes' walk away, the coolest bars, cafés, and restaurants are just around the corner, and with the underground, you're also mere minutes from the central train station.

The Flushing Meadows has a rooftop terrace, which is much smaller and more intimate than those of the large luxury hotels, and somehow cosier with small wooden chairs and string lights. However, the cocktails are equally impressive, and the 16 individually designed rooms in industrial style are extremely cool. The rooms were designed in collaboration with various artists and personalities, giving each room a unique character. One of the quirkiest hotels in Munich for sure.