Steps away from the Old Botanical Garden, in a quiet and charming neighborhood, sits the lovely Charles Hotel.
This hotel, part of the Rocco Forte Hotels chain, is constantly rated as one of the best hotels in Munich and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend two incredible nights here this past October.
When it comes to five star hotels you’ll be hard pressed to find one better than the Charles – not just in Munich but in all of Germany.
From the second that I walked through the revolving door until I left to catch my train through the same door I was treated extremely well and there was never a time that I was left wanting or needing for anything.
Everyone from the lobby receptionists to the waitresses serving breakfast continuously strived to ensure that I was having a wonderful visit and always double-check to make sure that everything was going the best that it possibly could.
I have stayed at many 5 star hotels in the past but none offered the same level of service and high standards of quality that I received at the Rocco Forte the Charles Hotel in Munich.
Even as part of a popular chain and boasting 160 rooms I was still treated with a very personal level of service and despite all of the rooms I never once felt that the hotel was too crowded or busy at any time.
From the spacious and well-equipped rooms to the impressive spa and everything in between you’re bound to enjoy a very memorable stay at this hotel regardless of the reason why you’re visiting Munich.
In this post I want to share the experience that I was fortunate enough to have at the Charles Hotel and I also want to provide an in-depth review of my stay so that I’m further able to show other travelers why this hotel is one of the best in the city.
I also stayed at the Derag Livinghotel am Viktualienmarkt and I recommend checking out my review of that hotel if you’re looking for something a little bit more mid-range in price and value.
The Charles Hotel in Munich: An In-Depth Review
Check-In and Interior
Before I even made my way into the hotel I was already greeted on the sidewalk out front by one of the bellhops.
He quickly asked me how my journey was, asked my name, and after holding the door open he hurriedly rushed over to the receptionist to give them my details.
By the time I made it to the receptionist my girlfriend and I were already being greeted by name and we had a short conversation about our journey before going over the check-in details and getting the room key.
After checking in I couldn’t help but admire the grandiose entranceway and lobby.
I learned that the lobby was recently renovated and in its current form I was very impressed by its overall layout and the welcoming vibe that I felt that it offered.
There was a lot of natural light being let in and plenty of seating for any guests looking to spend some time relaxing after a long day exploring the city.
In the rear of the lobby area was a darker seating area and here it was possible to enjoy a drink while taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi.
The lobby was quite spacious yet very welcoming and offered plenty of comfortable seating without seeming too cramped or crowded despite it being a high-traffic area.
The rest of the hotel was very elegantly designed and I definitely appreciated the window-lined hallways that also let in plenty of natural light and made the walking areas seemed much more spacious.
The Room
My girlfriend and I were lead up to our room by a wonderful young man, Johannes, who not only gave us more of the details about the hotel but also shared a few personal stories of his own life and travels throughout Europe and the United States.
It was this personal touch that I received from nearly all of the people working at the hotel that I came to truly appreciate and it’s what made us stay here at the Charles so memorable and unique.
Once Johannes left me to explore the room on my own I couldn’t help but run over to the small balcony, toss open the doors, and admire the view of the Botanical Gardens and city down below.
The view was incredible and it was one of the highlights of the room and if you’re interested in staying at this hotel I would definitely recommend booking a room with a view over the city since some of them don’t offer such a nice view.
After admiring the view for a short while I turned around to see what else the room had in store for me.
Right in the center of the room was a large, comfortable bed that was definitely big enough for two people.
Apart from the bed there was also a selection of seating including a small couch and a dedicated sitting chair and there was also a desk where I was able to get some work done.
I found the room to be quite spacious and even with all of the furniture inside there was still plenty of room to walk around and it didn’t feel cramped at all.
On one of the small coffee tables was a selection of fresh fruits and chocolates that the hotel had left and this was just one of the many small features that you don’t typically receive at hotels but that really helps to make the stay that much more enjoyable.
There was a mini bar that came equipped with a selection of different drinks and snacks and there was also plenty of storage for clothing and luggage so that it didn’t have to be left on the floor and in the way.
Overall, I found the room to be very well-equipped and perfectly suited for two people to enjoy a short-term stay in the city.
The Bathroom
The bathroom at the Charles Hotel was very impressive and quite spacious as well.
Not only did it feature a dedicated shower room but it also had its own separate toilet room with a bidet along with a full size bathtub.
I really loved the marble and the interior lighting was bright but not too direct which my girlfriend found perfect to use for getting ready in the morning.
There were plenty of towels and the bathroom came equipped with its own amenities such as washcloths, soap, shampoo, lotion, house coats, comfortable high-quality slippers, and just about anything else you would need for an enjoyable bathroom experience.
It was really nice having the house coats and slippers considering the weather had just turned from the late summer warmth to the early fall better chill so it was quite pleasing to be able to stay warm after getting out of the shower.
Also, my girlfriend loved having a full-size bathtub and took advantage of it both nights.
The Details
Cost
Depending on the type of room that you choose you can find rates for the Charles Hotel starting at around $370 USD.
Some of the rooms include breakfast and if not I would recommend adding it to the room rate, what you can do for just $40 USD.
I find this price to be quite reasonable, especially given to the high level of service and all of the quality comforts that this hotel offers.
Keep in mind that not only is this a five-star hotel but it’s the top rated hotel in Munich and one of the best hotels in all of Germany.
As always, I recommend booking your room as soon as you have confirmed your travel dates so that you can secure the best possible rate and avoid any issues with availability.
Location
As I’ve already mentioned, the hotel is located right across from the Botanical Gardens and in less than 10 minutes on foot it’s possible to reach the ring road that runs around the Munich city center.
To reach the very center of the Old Town you’re looking at a 15 to 20 minute walk and if you don’t feel like walking there are always taxis ready and waiting outside of the hotel entrance.
The train station is just down the street, less than 5 minutes away on foot, and there are also plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby as well.
Apart from the Botanical Gardens there are also a few museums nearby to the hotel and overall I find the location to be one of the best features since it’s located in a much quieter area of the city and there aren’t too many tourists are people walking around at any time.
Breakfast
The breakfast at the hotel is another one of its more memorable aspects and I would definitely recommend paying for it if your room doesn’t come with breakfast included.
There was a very wide selection of both hot and cold items available to choose from as well as various drinks including juice, coffee, and tea.
Depending on your dietary preferences there were definitely quite a few options that are very well suited for anyone with any food restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or if you’re just trying to eat healthier.
One thing I really loved was the menu where it was possible to order some ready-made items such as waffles, pancakes, eggs benedict, special coffee drinks, and a few other items as well.
I even asked about getting an ice coffee and although it wasn’t on the menu the waiter had no problem having it prepared for me and I was even able to take it up to my room.
Both days I ordered the waffles, which came out very well done, and my girlfriend had the eggs benedict which she said were some of the best she’s ever had.
Breakfast is held in the same room where the hotel’s own restaurant is offered and I recommend checking out my review here for a better look at the seating and what you can expect should you eat at the hotel for dinner.
Wi-Fi
The wireless internet at the Charles Hotel wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad either.
While I wasn’t able to upload any YouTube videos I didn’t have any trouble uploading photos or browsing social media such as Facebook and Instagram.
I believe there is the possibility to upgrade to a better internet, but I don’t agree with hotels that offer this since I think that quality and fast internet should be included in the price especially in this day and age when the majority of people are looking to get online.
Despite the fact that I wasn’t able to upload any videos I was still quite pleased with the internet connectivity and as long as you’re doing some light browsing and social media use you shouldn’t run into any problems.
Parking and Accessibility
Since I arrived to the hotel from the train station I’m not too sure about the availability when it comes to on-site parking although there are plenty of options to park in Munich if you are arriving by car.
The train station is located just five minutes away on foot so it’s very easy to access the hotel if you are arriving by train and if not there are plenty of taxis and even Uber available in the city to take if you need to get around.
Nearly everything in the city can be reached on foot, especially all of the main tourist sites, and Munich is very walkable so you shouldn’t have any problems finding your way around with or without a map.
Final Verdict
When it comes to hotels in Munich you likely won’t be able to find anywhere better than the Charles Hotel.
The rooms are all well-equipped for a short-term stay, comfortable enough for two people or a family, the breakfast makes for one of the best ways to start a day of sightseeing, and the service is completely memorable and top notch.
Another one of the best aspects of the hotel, its location, makes it easy to explore Munich while still being situated far enough away from the city center that you’re able to enjoy a quiet and relaxing stay without having to worry about crowds of tourists outside.
Overall, I found the Charles Hotel to be not only one of the best hotels in Munich but also one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at and I would definitely recommend checking it out the next time you’re planning a visit to the lovely Bavarian capital.
More Information
- Hotel website
- TripAdvisor
- HotelsCombined (check pricing and availability)
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