The Charles Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel
A charming stay amid Munich's gardens
The Charles Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel is one of the most prestigious new-build properties in Munich and has been regarded as such since opening in 2007 as part of a major regeneration project adjacent to the city’s old botanical gardens.
The Rocco Forte-owned hotel curves round the former gardens, now a pleasant city park expanse. The renovation of the area has transformed the look and feel from what was — for Munich, at least — a slightly insalubrious quarter to a smart, well-kept and attractive location. From here you can reach much of the city’s best sites in minutes, including historic Königsplatz square.
Because it is a new build, designers purposely created the largest average room size in the city. The hotel has a spa, swimming pool and very good restaurant and bar.
The Rocco Forte-owned hotel curves round the former gardens, now a pleasant city park expanse. The renovation of the area has transformed the look and feel from what was — for Munich, at least — a slightly insalubrious quarter to a smart, well-kept and attractive location. From here you can reach much of the city’s best sites in minutes, including historic Königsplatz square.
Because it is a new build, designers purposely created the largest average room size in the city. The hotel has a spa, swimming pool and very good restaurant and bar.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Though a new piece of architecture, the inspiration for the design of The Charles Hotel owes much to the grand hotels of the Côte d‘Azur. Elegant and refined, it is light-filled and spacious.
- The Munich hotel is at the gateway to the city’s museum district with Lenbachhaus, home to a major permanent exhibition of the hugely important Blue Rider artist group, just six or seven minutes away. Further world-class art museums are within 10 minutes by foot.
- Some rooms look out over the old botanical gardens with a wonderful vista that combines greenery and the Munich cityscape.
- Just beyond here is the 19th-century Justice Building, across from Karlsplatz Stachus, which is the opening to huge shopping areas and the heart of the Altstadt.
- The Munich hotel is suprisingly kid-friendly, offering miniature step ladders in the reception area where little ones can fill out their own details. Rooms include mini-bathrooms and slippers for children.
Things to Know
- Convenience is a major perk at the city hotel. It takes a single S-Bahn ride of 40 to 50 minutes from Munich airport to the nearby main station. The main station is a great starting point to easily transport you to just about anywhere in Munich and even the Alps.
- All rooms are soundproofed, necessary because there are major roads in the direction of the main station, plus trams and the general hustle and bustle of city life.
- Every weekend, there is a kids club where a childcare professional conducts a slew of activities to give the grown-ups some alone time.
The Rooms
- Of the property's 160 rooms, 24 are suites, which are all situated on the wings of the luxury hotel. The best is the top-floor Royal Suite Montforte — it has a sundeck overlooking the city gardens, a Bechstein grand piano, an open-living plan and a luxurious bathroom complete with a steam bath and rain shower.
- Standard rooms are a minimum of 430 square feet, and are filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. They have bathrooms with walk-in showers, tubs, separate toilets and bidets.
- An understated stylishness pervades the décor in all rooms, many of which have French balconies. All have limestone bathrooms with heated floors.
- Reflecting its botanical gardens location, the hotel carries the theme of botany as a gentle leitmotif throughout, from the spa to the restaurant to the rooms.
The Restaurants
- Executive chef Michael Hüsken took over The Charles’ restaurant space in 2015 and opened Sophia’s Restaurant & Bar anew. Italy and Asia are major inspirations for his culinary creations, which are entwined with Bavarian flavors, locally sourced.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served amid the backdrop of huge floor-to-ceiling windows and the parkland behind.
- The Late Riser Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. on weekends, which means a full buffet plus eggs Benedict to order, for example, until 2 p.m.
- The food is fresh and imaginative and seasonal — a winter salad might consist of radicchio, lamb’s lettuce, pear, blue cheese and walnuts, while a main course could be venison with black salsify and corn bread.
Getting There
