The Charles Hotel in Munich: An In-Depth Review

Steps away from the old Botanical Garden in Munich is the incredible Charles Hotel.

As unassuming as it might seem, this hotel is constantly rated as one of the best hotels in Munich. When it comes to the five star hotels in the city you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than the Charles. This isn’t the case just in Munich – but in all of Germany.

The Charles Hotel is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels chain and strives to deliver a standard of luxury and quality service you’ll find nowhere else. From the moment you walked through the revolving doors until you catch your train to your next destination you’ll be treated with the utmost respect and reverence.

Despite having stayed at a number of 5 star hotels in the past, none have offered the same level of service and standard of quality that I received at The Charles Hotel here in Munich.

Even as part of a popular chain and boasting 160 guest rooms I was still treated with a personal level of service. From the spacious and well-equipped rooms to the impressive spa and everything in between – you’re bound to enjoy a memorable stay at this hotel.

In this post I want to share the experience that I had spending two nights at the Charles Hotel. This way you can get a better idea of what you can expect if you’re planning to stay here as well.

Alternatively, I’ve also stayed at the Derag Livinghotel am Viktualienmarkt in the historic city center. Take a look at that review that you’re looking for something a little more mid-range and price.

The Charles Hotel in Munich: An In-Depth Review

Check-In and Interior

Immediately upon arriving at the hotel I was greeted on the sidewalk by one of the bellhops. The young man held the door open then hurriedly rushed over to the receptionist to provide them with my check-in details.

By the time I made it to the receptionist my girlfriend and I were already being greeted by name. We enjoyed a short conversation before going over the check-in details and getting led up to our room.

The first thing I noticed was the grandiose and contemporary lobby. The lobby was recently renovated and I loved the modern details and elegant design.

The lobby was spacious and welcoming offering plenty of comfortable seating without feeling too cramped or crowded. The reception was set back from the main lobby area so there was no interference with people checking in or out.

On the way to the room I noticed the rest of the hotel was elegantly designed. The hallways were lined with windows that let in plenty of natural light and made the walking areas feel more spacious and welcoming.

The Room

Once the receptionist left us to explore the room I ran over to the small balcony and tossed open the doors. The view of the Munich skyline and Botanical Gardens down below was incredible!

This turned out to be one of the highlights of the room.

When you’re planning your trip and considering booking a stay at this hotel you sure to ask for a room with a view over the city. Not all of the rooms come with a view like this and it’s definitely worth having for a short-term stay.

After admiring the view I turned around to see what else the room had in store.

In the center of the room was a large, comfortable bed. There was also a selection of seating including a small couch and dedicated chair that my girlfriend spent most of her time in. Against the wall was a desk that I was able to use to get some work done.

The room was spacious and well equipped. For two people there was plenty of room to walk around and we never felt cramped during our stay.

On one of the coffee tables was a selection of fresh fruits and chocolate that the hotel left behind. The minibar came fully equipped with a selection of drinks and snacks.

These are just some of the small features that you don’t typically receive at mid-range hotels but that the Charles Hotel strive to deliver.

For a short-term stay in Munich this hotel is well equipped and perfectly suited for one or two people visiting the city.

The Bathroom

The bathroom at the Charles Hotel was spacious and featured a clean, modern design.

Along with a dedicated shower the bathroom area also came with a separate toilet room, fully functional bidet, and a full size bathtub.

The light marble design and bright lighting was perfect for my girlfriend who used the space to get ready in the morning. Being able to control the lighting was perfect for taking showers in the dark.

The bathroom was equipped with everything needed for a short-term stay. It came with a number of different towels as well as all of the amenities you would expect. This includes washcloths, soap, shampoo, body lotion, housecoats, comfortable high quality slippers.

You could also call down to reception and have something brought up if you left one of your amenities behind.

Personally, I appreciated having the housecoats and slippers. The weather had just turned from the late summer warm to the early fall chill so it was pleasing to be able to stay warm and cozy after getting out of the bathroom.

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 come with breakfast included. If not, I recommend adding it to your room rate. The breakfast was amazing and is available for $40 USD.

The price for a night at this hotel is reasonable, especially considering the luxury amenities and high level of service that this property provides for its guests.

Not only is the Charles Hotel a five-star hotel in Munich but it’s the top rated hotel in the city. Many consider it to be one of the best hotels in Germany as well.

As always, I recommend booking your room as soon as you have confirmed your travel dates. This way you can secure the best possible rate and avoid any issues with availability.

Location

The Charles hotel is located across from the Munich Botanical Gardens. In under 10 minutes you can reach the beginning of the city center on foot.

The central location of the property makes it easy to take a taxi or use Uber to get anywhere in the city. It’s within walking distance from the train station as well so it’s the perfect location if you’re arriving by train or bus.

I find the location to be one of the best features of the hotel. It’s located in a quieter area of the city so there aren’t crowds of tourists walking around whenever you leave. The central location makes it easy to check out all of the main tourist sites or hop on public transportation to get around.

Breakfast

The breakfast at the hotel is one of its most memorable features. I would definitely recommend paying for it if your room doesn’t come with breakfast included.

There was a wide selection of both hot and cold items as well as drinks including juice, coffee, and tea.

Depending on your dietary preferences there are options for anyone with food restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or if you’re just trying to eat healthier.

One thing I really loved was the menu with the ready-made items such as waffles, pancakes, eggs benedict, and special coffee drinks.

I asked about getting an ice coffee and although it wasn’t on the menu the waiter had no problem having it prepared for me. She even let me take the glass up to my room.

Both days I ordered the waffles, which came out perfectly. My girlfriend had the eggs benedict and said they were some of the best she’s ever had.

Wi-Fi

The wireless internet at the Charles Hotel wasn’t great, though 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.

There is the possibility to upgrade to a better internet. I don’t agree with hotels that offer this since I think that quality and fast internet should be included in the price.

Despite the fact that I wasn’t able to upload any videos I was still pleased with the internet connectivity. As long as you’re doing some light browsing and social media use you shouldn’t run into any problems.

Parking and Accessibility

When it comes to on-site parking there are plenty of options to park in Munich if you are arriving by car.

The train station is located five minutes away on foot. It’s easy to access the hotel if you are arriving by train or bus.

Everything in the city can be reached on foot, especially all of the main tourist sites. Munich is very walkable and it’s easy to find your way around 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 and 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. You’re still 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. I would definitely recommend checking it out the next time you’re planning a visit to the lovely Bavarian capital.