Munich’s great hotels combine royal history with a very Bavarian sense of comfort. Here are five of the best – from a family-run grand hotel of 1841 to one of Germany’s newest luxury addresses – and who each one suits.
| # | Hotel | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel Bayerischer Hof ★★★★★ | Old Town (Altstadt) | Couples, Families, Luxury |
| 2 | Mandarin Oriental, Munich ★★★★★ | Old Town (Altstadt) | Couples, Luxury |
| 3 | Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München ★★★★★ | Old Town (Altstadt) | Couples, Luxury |
| 4 | Rosewood Munich | Old Town (Altstadt) | Couples, Luxury |
| 5 | Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel ★★★★★ | Maxvorstadt | Couples, Families, Luxury |
How we chose these hotels
We looked for history or a memorable setting, excellent service and a central location. No hotel paid to appear here, and we never quote prices: they change every day, so check availability with the button under each hotel.
1. Hotel Bayerischer Hof
Munich’s grand hotel since 1841, on Promenadeplatz, run by the same family for generations. The rooftop pool of the Blue Spa sits under a glass roof that opens in good weather.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Location
- Promenadeplatz 2-6, 80333 München
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Luxury
Why we like it
- A Munich institution since 1841, family-run since 1897
- The Blue Spa, with a rooftop pool under a glass roof that opens in good weather
- A few minutes’ walk from the Frauenkirche and Marienplatz
Good to know
- A large, busy hotel that also hosts big events and conferences
- Pool times for children and spa access can change: confirm them when booking
2. Mandarin Oriental, Munich
Elegant and intimate, on a quiet Old Town street near the Hofbräuhaus, with a heated rooftop pool in summer.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Location
- Neuturmstraße 1, 80331 München
- Best for
- Couples, Luxury
Why we like it
- A quiet street in the Old Town, steps from the Hofbräuhaus
- Heated rooftop pool with city views, open in the summer months
- Matsuhisa, the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa
Good to know
- The rooftop pool is seasonal: outside summer there is no pool
- A smaller hotel: book early for Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets
3. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München
Built in 1858 by order of King Maximilian II on Maximilianstraße, with a top-floor pool and the opera around the corner.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Location
- Maximilianstraße 17, 80539 München
- Best for
- Couples, Luxury
Why we like it
- Built in 1858 by order of King Maximilian II
- Indoor pool on the top floor, with views over the rooftops
- On Maximilianstraße, by the boutiques and the National Theatre
Good to know
- Maximilianstraße is busy with traffic and shoppers by day
- Ask for a quieter room facing the inner side if you sleep lightly
4. Rosewood Munich
One of Munich’s newest luxury hotels, opened in 2023 in two listed buildings between the Frauenkirche and Odeonsplatz, with the Asaya spa.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Area
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Location
- Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße 1, 80333 München
- Best for
- Couples, Luxury
Why we like it
- Opened in 2023 in two listed buildings, including the Palais Neuhaus-Preysing
- The Asaya spa over two floors, with an indoor pool
- A quiet street between the Frauenkirche and Odeonsplatz
Good to know
- One of Munich’s newest luxury hotels: expect high demand at busy times
- Spa facilities and access times can change: confirm them when booking
5. Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel
Calm luxury by the Old Botanical Garden, with one of the city’s longest indoor hotel pools and the museums of the Kunstareal nearby.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Maxvorstadt
- Location
- Sophienstraße 28, 80333 München
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Luxury
Why we like it
- One of the longest indoor hotel pools in Munich
- Next to the Old Botanical Garden and close to the museums of the Kunstareal
- Family-friendly: cots, connecting rooms and babysitting on request
Good to know
- About 15 minutes’ walk from Marienplatz, or a short tram ride
- Children’s pool times and family services can change: confirm them when booking
Which one should you choose?
- For a classic grand hotel: Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
- For a summer rooftop swim: Mandarin Oriental, Munich.
- For the opera and the boutiques: Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski.
- For something new: Rosewood Munich.
- For a quieter stay with a long pool: The Charles.
Booking tips
- Check your dates against Oktoberfest and trade fairs.
- Ask for a quiet room away from the street if you sleep lightly.
- Check the cancellation policy before you pay.
If you are still choosing a neighbourhood, read where to stay in Munich, and plan your days with Munich in 3 days.
