The Best Boutique Hotels to Book for a Chic Stay in Munich

Adjacent to the 13th-century St Peter’s Church, Beyond by Geisel is a slick option for a city break. Rooms are clad in mustard and midnight-blue hues, some with private balconies and others with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in glorious views of Rindermarkt square – and bathrooms are fitted with rain showers. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available come morning, or simply pop into the kitchen to help yourself to a midnight snack.

Marias Platzl is a petite hotel with just 34 rooms in the heart of the old Munich district of Au-Haidhausen. The smaller size works to its advantage though, as the rooms are designed to make you feel like you are in a traditional Bavarian home, with light wood details that are offset by porcelain lamp shades and traditional Dirndl fabrics. To continue your Bavarian journey, visit the in-house brewery, Ayinger in der Au for craft beer and local food.

Billed as the “first hybrid hotel” in Munich, Schwabinger Wahrheit combines city hotel luxe with business hotel smarts and added hostel vibes. Minimalist lovers will relish the contemporary, light-filled rooms, but those looking for something a extra should opt for the Schwabinger Suite 63 with an in-room bar and private sauna. When hungry, in-house restaurant Shibuya offers Tokyo street food-inspired fried chicken with a slew of delicious extras – miso chicken soup, anyone?.

A Euro trip by rail is calling – 25hours is right next to Bahnhofplatz, the main railway station in Munich. The hotel itself is grandiose, housed in a former post office building. The stylish rooms range from small to extra-large, and there’s a couple of suites, too. Whichever you choose, there’s a free MINI rental service so you can zip around the city. And if you want to stay in, there’s a spacious fourth-floor sauna and a welcoming bar.

If you’re looking to tick Oktoberfest off your bucket list, but want a luxe place to rest your head after a day swigging beer, Bavaria Boutique Hotel is less than a 10-minute walk to the famed grounds. Each of the 51 rooms are light-filled and stylish, many with views of Munich rooftops and some with deep-soak tubs. For a hearty breakfast, stop at the restaurant downstairs where you’ll find a buffet-style offering with a selection of cheeses and meats, hot dishes and a juice bar.

The striking 19th-century monochromatic facade of Hotel Opera gives little indication of the splendour that awaits inside. Marble floors line the common areas, walls are clad with oil paintings and each of the 25 rooms and suites are individually decorated – the deluxe rooms with the added luxuries of balconies and some have freestanding tubs. Make time for breakfast in the conservatory come morning for an array of continental delights.

Designer hotel is an understatement. The rooms at this boutique look like the stylish apartment you wish you could afford back home, with wooden floors and designer furniture, much of which was created specifically for the hotel. As well as stylish decor, Cortiina also takes wine seriously with in-house sommeliers. And you’re in the perfect place to explore Munich; it’s just a five-minute walk to Marienplatz and right near the central station for easy airport access.

This boutique hotel is deceptively classy. Though indistinctive on the outside, the inside has an upscale designer hotel feel with exposed pipes and high ceilings. It’s bold by name and by nature. They’ve blended convenience (for example: 24-hour check in), with comfort – modern glass shower cubicles, hotel bikes for guests, a rooftop terrace – to create something special in the Munich hotel scene.

Think wood panels and fancy armchairs, fluffy white robes and Molton Brown toiletries — that’s Hotel München Palace. As the name suggests, this 74-room retreat focuses on delivering a luxury experience. And, unusually for a city hotel, it has a picturesque garden where you can take afternoon tea, or just sit back and enjoy the sun. The wood-panelled bar looks like a library in a period drama – only with a skilled bartender on hand to make your favourite cocktail.

With muted green throws and stylish floor rugs, LOUIS hotel has an understated modern elegance about it. You can’t get much more central than this, being near Viktualienmarkt, making it a great base for exploring the city. Even inside the hotel there’s plenty to keep you busy: a Japanese-style rooftop restaurant is a favourite in Munich, and you can also make use of the Finnish sauna after a day of sightseeing.

If your idea of luxury is a sleek, loft-style apartment, then this hotel is your ideal base. A masterclass in modern decor, the interior design was a collaboration with celebrities, musicians and even pro-surfers to create the distinctive and individual looks in the loft-style studios. The result is something that’s stylish with attention to detail right down to the cushion covers, plus unique features such as a suspended bed.

This family-run hotel blends neoclassical architecture with cutting-edge design pieces for a unique look. First opened in 1890, it has survived two world wars, and was completely renovated in 2016. It takes a room-by-room approach to design, each different with a name to match a theme – the Rose Room or Galactic Dreams, for example. Prioritising comfort, it has a homely touch with orthopaedic mattresses, and free soft drinks and snacks available in reception. You’ll find the Rosenheim a five-minute train journey from Marienplatz on a direct S-Bahn line from the airport.

Despite being a small, family-run boutique hotel, the Laimer Hof is one of the most popular places to stay in Munich. It sits in a converted 1880s house, complete with mini-turret, close to Nymphenburg Palace, about 11km (7mi) from the centre of Munich. However, it has great transport links – just five stops will get you to the heart of the city – and the largest beer garden in Europe is a short walk away. It’s also known for exceptional service, spearheaded by the husband-and-wife team who own the hotel.

What Torbräu might lack in style, it makes up for with good old-fashioned hospitality. The building opened as a hotel in 1490, and is now owned by the Kirchlechner family who’ve been in the business since 1903. Unusually for German hotels, breakfast (which comes buffet style with made-to-order bacon and eggs) is included in the room price. And for the evening, they have a wine cellar. The hotel sits in a picturesque location, right near the Isartor palace and a short walk from Marienplatz.

The name tells you what to expect from this French decor-inspired boutique. The ornate style mixed with a soft lilac colour palette gives it a feminine boudoir look, while Treca beds with plump comforters and toiletries by Bvlgari are the kind of finishing touches that make it the perfect choice for comfort with a touch of luxury. The 31-room hotel is located in the trendy Schwabing District and has the Englisch Garten on its doorstep. Just four stops on the U-Bahn, and you’ll be in the city centre.