The Best Hotels in Munich
Our Favourite Picks From Maximilianstrasse to the Hauptbahnhof, Oktoberfest and Beyond
Munich is one of Europe’s great city breaks and one of the most underrated capitals on the continent. It has world-class museums, the English Garden, the Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt. And then, of course, it has Oktoberfest: two weeks every autumn when the city transforms into the biggest party on earth and hotel rooms become some of the most sought-after in Europe. We have been twice for the festival and the location of your hotel makes an enormous difference to how the whole trip feels.
We have stayed at the Munich Marriott and Eden Hotel Wolff, both close to the Hauptbahnhof and well-positioned for the Theresienwiese. The right central Munich base means you walk back from the festival, sleep it off and walk out again the next morning. The wrong base means long taxi queues at 1am when you are the last thing in the world equipped to deal with them.
If you’re planning a multi city trip through Germany, our Berlin hotel guide and Vienna hotel guide break down the best places to stay across Central Europe.
Here are the best hotels in Munich across every budget, from iconic Maximilianstrasse luxury to the great-value spots near the Hauptbahnhof that make Oktoberfest trips work.
Where to Stay in Munich: Best Neighborhoods
| Maximilianstrasse and Altstadt. Munich’s most prestigious address, running from the Nationaltheater to the Maximilianeum. The city’s finest hotels, boutiques and restaurants are all here. Walking distance to Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt. The best location for a luxury stay or a special occasion. Schwabing and Maxvorstadt. The university and museum quarter, home to the Pinakothek museums, the English Garden and a neighbourhood that feels genuinely Munichers rather than tourist-facing. Excellent transport connections to everywhere and some of the city’s most interesting independent hotels. Near the Hauptbahnhof. The most practical base for Oktoberfest visitors. A five-minute walk from the Hauptbahnhof and a short journey to the Theresienwiese. Strong transport connections to every part of the city. The hotel density here is high and the value at this location is consistently better than Altstadt. Isarvorstadt and Glockenbachviertel. Munich’s creative and LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, with the best independent bars, restaurants and coffee in the city. A 15-minute walk to Marienplatz and even closer to the Theresienwiese. Increasingly popular with travellers who want the real Munich alongside easy festival access. |
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we’d stay at ourselves.
Luxury Hotels in Munich
For guests who want Maximilianstrasse addresses, butler service and the full Bavarian grand hotel experience.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Maximilianstrasse, Altstadt
Why Stay Here: The grande dame of Munich luxury and one of the finest hotels in Germany. The Vier Jahreszeiten has been the address of choice on Maximilianstrasse since 1858, hosting royalty, heads of state and travellers who understand that some hotel experiences are genuinely irreplaceable. The building is beautiful, the service is impeccable and the Maximilianstrasse location puts you in the heart of Munich’s most prestigious boulevard. The Schwarzreiter restaurant serves outstanding Bavarian cuisine. The Spa by Clarins is among the best in the city. For Oktoberfest, this is the kind of base that makes the whole festival feel like a different experience.
Price Range: $$$$
Mandarin Oriental Munich
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Maximilianstrasse, Altstadt
Why Stay Here: The Mandarin Oriental brings its signature Asian-influenced luxury to one of Munich’s finest streets and it works brilliantly. The rooftop pool and terrace are genuinely exceptional, with views over the city that make you want to stay put. Mark’s Restaurant is one of Munich’s most celebrated dining addresses. The spa, the service and the attention to detail are exactly what you expect from this group. Maximilianstrasse shopping and the Marienplatz are a short walk from the door. For a contemporary luxury Munich stay that does not feel like a traditional grand hotel, this is the one we would choose.
Price Range: $$$$
Bayerischer Hof
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Promenadeplatz, Altstadt
Why Stay Here: One of Munich’s most storied hotels and a city institution since 1841. The Bayerischer Hof sits on Promenadeplatz in the heart of the Altstadt, within easy walking distance of Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt and the Theatinerkirche. The rooftop bar is one of the best in Munich. The Night Club hosts some of the city’s best live music. Seven restaurants across the property mean you never have to go far for an excellent meal. The rooms are beautifully maintained and the service reflects more than 180 years of knowing what guests actually want. A Munich institution for very good reasons.
Price Range: $$$$
The Charles Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Maxvorstadt, near the Pinakothek Museums and Konigsplatz
Why Stay Here: The Charles is the quieter, more contemporary alternative to the Altstadt grand hotels and it is all the better for it. The Rocco Forte property sits in Maxvorstadt, the museum quarter, with the three Pinakothek museums and Konigsplatz a short walk away. The spa is exceptional. The restaurant is excellent. The design is warm and residential rather than grand, which makes it one of Munich’s most comfortable luxury stays. Transport connections to Marienplatz and the Hauptbahnhof are fast and easy. For travellers who want real luxury in a calmer, more neighbourhood setting, this is a consistently outstanding choice.
Price Range: $$$$
Boutique and Design Hotels in Munich
For travellers who want personality, contemporary design and the Munich that goes beyond beer halls and pretzel stalls.
LOUIS Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Viktualienmarkt, Altstadt
Why Stay Here: The best boutique hotel position in Munich, sitting directly on the Viktualienmarkt with the covered market and the Alps visible from the upper floors on a clear day. The design is modern Bavarian, which sounds like a contradiction until you see it done this well. The rooftop bar views over the Altstadt are hard to beat anywhere in the city. Rooms are beautifully appointed with genuine thought given to natural materials and the specific character of this Munich location. The Viktualienmarkt is on your doorstep every morning. Marienplatz is a five-minute walk. This is the hotel for travellers who want Altstadt life without Altstadt formality.
Price Range: $$$
Cortiina Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Altstadt, Ledererstrasse
Why Stay Here: A design hotel in the heart of the Altstadt that manages to feel genuinely individual rather than designed-by-committee. The Cortiina sits between Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt in one of the best positions in central Munich. Natural materials, warm tones and rooms that feel like a considered private space rather than a hotel box. The Bavarian breakfast is worth waking up for. The whole of the old city is immediately walkable from the door. For an Altstadt stay with real character and without grand hotel prices, Cortiina is consistently one of Munich’s best options.
Price Range: $$$
25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Near Hauptbahnhof, Schillerstrasse
Why Stay Here: 25hours does personality-led hotels better than almost anyone and this Munich property, themed around a Bavarian kingdom, is one of their best. The design is playful without becoming a gimmick. The rooms are generously sized and well thought through. The FINEST BAGELS restaurant is a genuine neighbourhood destination rather than just a hotel dining room. The Hauptbahnhof location is exceptionally practical for Oktoberfest travel, putting the Theresienwiese within easy reach while keeping you connected to the whole city by train. A seriously enjoyable Munich base.
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Maximilian Munich
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Isarvorstadt, near Glockenbachviertel
Why Stay Here: A boutique property in Munich’s most characterful neighbourhood, with the independent bars, restaurants and coffee shops of the Glockenbachviertel on the doorstep. The hotel is well-designed and personal in a way that the larger properties on Maximilianstrasse cannot be. The Theresienwiese is close enough to make this a solid Oktoberfest base. The best of local Munich life is immediately outside. For travellers who want to stay somewhere that feels connected to the actual city rather than a tourist corridor, this is a strong choice.
Price Range: $$$
Central Munich and Hauptbahnhof Area Hotels
The practical heart of the city. Close to the Theresienwiese, excellent transport connections and the best value-to-location ratio in Munich for Oktoberfest and beyond.
Eden Hotel Wolff
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Hauptbahnhof, Arnulfstrasse
Why Stay Here: We have stayed at Eden Hotel Wolff during Oktoberfest and it hits a perfect balance between character and convenience that the bigger chains in this area cannot match. The hotel sits directly opposite the Hauptbahnhof with a genuinely old-Munich feel: warm service, well-sized rooms and the in-house Zirbelstube restaurant serving some of the best traditional Bavarian food in the city. For Oktoberfest, the location is excellent. You are within walking distance of the Theresienwiese and five minutes from one of Europe’s best-connected train stations. For a Munich trip at any time of year, this is the hotel with the most character at this price point.
Price Range: $$$
Munich Marriott Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Schwabing, near the English Garden
Why Stay Here: We have stayed here twice for Oktoberfest and the central location is one of its strongest assets. The rooms are exactly what you expect from Marriott: well-sized, comfortable and well-maintained, which in this case is genuinely a win when you need a reliable base for a festival trip. The breakfast is solid. The bar is good and comes into its own during festival season. Transport connections to the Theresienwiese and the Hauptbahnhof are fast and easy. For Oktoberfest planning especially, this is a hotel that delivers without surprises, which is often exactly what you need.
Price Range: $$$
NH Collection München Bavaria
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Near Hauptbahnhof, central Munich
Why Stay Here: One of the most consistently reliable hotels in this part of the city, with smart contemporary rooms, excellent transport links and a location that makes both Oktoberfest and daily Munich sightseeing straightforward. The NH Collection brand sits at the better end of the business hotel spectrum and this Munich property delivers on that promise. Strong value for a central location, particularly if you are booking for Oktoberfest when prices across the city climb sharply.
Price Range: $$
Hotel Excelsior Munich
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: Hauptbahnhof, Schutzenstrasse
Why Stay Here: A classic four-star directly opposite the Hauptbahnhof that has been a reliable Munich base for decades. The Excelsior is not trying to be a design hotel or a boutique property. It is a well-run, comfortable, central hotel with good rooms, helpful service and a position that cannot be beaten for transport access. For Oktoberfest in particular, being able to walk two minutes to the train station at the end of a long day on the Wiesn is worth more than it sounds. A dependable choice for central Munich at a fair price.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Great Value Hotels in Munich
Munich does not have to break the budget. These hotels offer smart design, central locations and everything you need for a city trip at prices that leave money for the beer tents.
Motel One München-Hauptbahnhof
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Location: Hauptbahnhof, Senefeldstrasse
Why Stay Here: Motel One has made a formula out of delivering smart, contemporary design at budget prices and the Munich Hauptbahnhof property is one of the best examples of that formula in action. Clean rooms, great design, a sociable bar lobby and a location that could not be more practical for Oktoberfest travel. The Theresienwiese is a short walk or one stop by U-Bahn. The Hauptbahnhof connects you to the rest of the city instantly. For value-focused Oktoberfest trips especially, Motel One Hauptbahnhof is one of the smartest choices in Munich.
Price Range: $-$$
Hotel Jedermann
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Location: Near Hauptbahnhof, Bayerstrasse
Why Stay Here: A family-run Munich hotel that has been welcoming guests near the Hauptbahnhof for generations. The Jedermann is warm, well-maintained and genuinely personal in a way that small family-run hotels in this price range rarely manage to be. Rooms are comfortable and the location is practical for both Oktoberfest and daily city exploring. Breakfast is included and done properly. For independent travellers who want character over corporate uniformity and do not want to spend four-star prices, this is one of Munich’s most reliable budget picks.
Price Range: $-$$
Ibis München City Süd
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Location: Near Sendlinger Tor, southern Altstadt
Why Stay Here: The Ibis formula at its most useful: a clean, reliably comfortable room in a central location at a price that makes the rest of the trip significantly more affordable. The Sendlinger Tor location puts you on the U-Bahn network with easy access to the Hauptbahnhof, Marienplatz and the Theresienwiese. During Oktoberfest, when Munich hotel prices surge across the board, an Ibis in this location represents exceptional value. The rooms are small and the services are limited, which is precisely the point.
Price Range: $
Munich rewards the traveller who gets the base right. Stay on Maximilianstrasse and the city feels like one of Europe’s great capitals. Stay near the Hauptbahnhof and Oktoberfest becomes the seamless festival experience it is supposed to be. Get it right and Munich delivers on every level: the beer halls, the museums, the English Garden, the Alps visible on the horizon on a clear day. Use the links above to check current availability and rates.
FAQ About Hotels in Munich
As early as possible. Ideally six to twelve months ahead. Munich hotel prices during Oktoberfest are among the highest of any annual event in Europe and rooms disappear fast. Mid-week slots are slightly easier to secure than weekends. The closer to the Theresienwiese and Hauptbahnhof, the faster those specific properties sell out.
Near the Hauptbahnhof is the most practical base for Oktoberfest. The Theresienwiese is walkable and the station connects you to the rest of the city at any hour. The Altstadt is also excellent but comes at a premium and is slightly further from the festival grounds.
Munich sits comfortably in the upper tier of European cities for hotel prices, even outside festival season. Oktoberfest period prices can be three to five times the normal rate. Booking well in advance and considering the Hauptbahnhof area over the Altstadt makes a significant difference to the overall trip cost.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski for the iconic Maximilianstrasse grand hotel experience. Mandarin Oriental for contemporary luxury and the best rooftop in the city. Bayerischer Hof for history, location and the rooftop bar views. Each delivers a completely different version of Munich at its finest.
Yes. LOUIS Hotel on the Viktualienmarkt is the standout boutique property in the Altstadt. Cortiina Hotel is excellent for design and location. 25hours The Royal Bavarian brings serious personality to the Hauptbahnhof area. Munich has a stronger independent hotel scene than many visitors expect.
Extremely easy. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn network is comprehensive, reliable and covers the entire city. During Oktoberfest, additional services run late. A hotel near any U-Bahn or S-Bahn station gives you instant access to everywhere you want to go.
Read More About Munich
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