The Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel's two-story lobby is bathed with soft light from large chandeliers suspended from the second floor, and it's decorated in dark earth-tone furnishings, beige tile floors, and white walls and columns. It’s linear and large, but not overwhelming, with comfortable sofas and armchairs in several cozy spots adorned by original paintings from renowned 19th-century Munich artist Franz von Lenbach. A dark and quaint circular bar at the far end of the lobby, tastefully outfitted with a piano framed by rich wood floors, bookcases, and ceiling panels, offers traditional English tea daily and live music in the evenings. An equally stylish space is the classy restaurant that showcases curved walls and two-story windows offering lovely views of the lush outdoor terrace, where guests can dine or relax under towering trees. This hotel exudes an undeniable, upscale elegance, but it remains welcoming and unpretentious, drawing mainly leisure travelers and some business people. 

The hotel is situated outside city center on a quiet side street adjacent to the Old Botanical Garden, which is now a city park with a popular beer garden. Munich Central Station that provides train connections throughout Germany and Europe is a five-minute walk, and a city tram stop is just outside the hotel. It's a 17-minute walk to Marienplatz in city center (seven minutes by train), and an eight-minute walk to Karlsplatz (Stachus) and its underground shopping mall. Nymphenburg Palace is 26 minutes away by train or 15 driving, and the Oktoberfest complex at Theresienwiese is a 15-minute walk (10 minutes by train). The Maxvorstadt cultural district is a 17-minute walk (10 minutes by train), and Munich International Airport takes approximately 50 minutes by train and 35 minutes by taxi to reach. Since the hotel is close to the central train station, numerous restaurants and shops are a brief walk away.

Rooms are large by European standards with Classic, Deluxe, and Superior Deluxe categories all encompassing approximately 430 square feet. Junior Suites are around 517 square feet and the Monfort Royal Suite is over 2,100 square feet. Classic Rooms each have a king bed with fine wood nightstands, a desk, bookshelf, and an upholstered armchair. Deluxe and Superior Deluxe Rooms each add a corner sofa and coffee table. Some suites have second bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as one or two balconies, and some rooms can be connected to accommodate families. Decor is sophisticated but not opulent, other than the spacious bathrooms, which feature heated, beige-marble floors and brown-marble, wall-mounted vanities with large wall mirrors and magnifying mirrors. Tubs are separate from the spacious, glass-enclosed walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The lavatories with both toilets and bidets also are separated by frosted glass doors and encased in marble. Bedroom decor features bright earth tones with beige patterned carpet and drapes, colorful modern art, as well as floor-to-ceiling mirrors on cream walls. Beds earn high marks from guests for their comfort and fine white-striped linens. Standard amenities include robes and slippers, one free bottled water daily, daily newspapers, free Wi-Fi, turndown service, minibars, electronic safes, flat-screen TVs (some suites have up to four TVs), and 24-hour room service. But only suites have coffeemakers. Valet packing/unpacking services are available. 

Garage parking and valet parking are available for a fee. The Davvero Italian restaurant offers a daily hot breakfast buffet (not free) that includes Bavarian delicacies like Weisswurst and Obazda, as well as lunch and dinner at prices some guests find expensive, even for a luxury hotel. The lobby bar serves traditional English tea each afternoon and a food menu with live entertainment in the evenings. The 8,600-square-foot, full-service spa features five treatment rooms, beauty salon, relaxation room, sauna, and steam room. The adjacent indoor pool is Munich's largest and luxurious with heated lounge chairs nearby. An equally spacious fitness center overlooking the pool has a full range of cardio and resistance training machines and free weights. Concierge services, free car service, same-day laundry, dry cleaning, and free overnight shoe shines are available. The hotel offers children’s features -- such as a kids' club, pool time, and Nintendo game systems -- and 24-hour babysitting services. Meeting space includes a ballroom that can accommodate 250 people, and the business center has Internet access. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.