Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [263]
Euro Youth Hotel (Map; 5990 8811; www.euro-youth-hotel.de; Senefelderstrasse 5; dm €12.50-20, s €32-42, d €40-55; ) Housed in one of the few buildings around the Hauptbahnhof to survive WWII, this atmospheric hostel-hotel oozes history with every dangling chandelier and creaky staircase. The bar is a delightful haunt, and the €2-a-drink happy hour (6pm to 9pm) is understandably popular. Despite having 200 beds spread over 58 well-kept rooms, this place is often full, so book ahead.
Meininger’s (off Map; 420 956 053; www.meininger-hostels.de; Landsbergerstrasse 20; dm €16-29, s €43-60, d €31-48; ) About 800m west of the Hauptbahnhof, this energetic hostel-hotel on the doorstep of the Augustiner brewery has interiors and facilities similar to Wombat’s, but also a rooftop terrace and underground parking. Take tram 18 or 19 to Holzapfelstrasse.
Easy Palace Station Hotel (Map; 552 5210; www.easypalace.de; Schützenstrasse 7; dm from €19.90, s €35-55, d €49-99; ) For low-budget quarters with a touch of vintage character try this hostel based in an aging hotel. Styles run the gamut, from a 1950s brass bed to a rustic oak from the disco era. Only seven of the 55 rooms are dorms (sleeping four to six); the rest are spacious singles and doubles available in three categories of comfort.
Also recommended:
4You Hostel (Map; 552 1660; www.the4you.de; Hirtenstrasse 18; dm €13-24, s €39-45, d €52-64) Once a bit of a grotty crash pad, this rapidly improving place has modernised rooms, a large downstairs bar, 24-hour reception and free Wii.
A&O City Hotel (Map; 4523 5700; www.aohostels.com; Bayerstrasse 75; dm €12-14, d €44; ) Munich’s A&O teeters between simple hotel and fancy hostel. The en suite rooms are smallish but well maintained.
MIDRANGE
Cocoon (Map; 5999 3907; www.hotel-cocoon.de; Lindwurmstrasse 35; s/d €69/89; ) If retro-design is your thing, you just struck gold. Things kick off in the reception with its faux ’70s veneer and suspended ’60s ball chairs, and continue in the rooms, all identical and decorated in cool retro oranges and greens. Every room has LCD TV, iPod dock, ‘laptop cabin’ and the hotel name above every bed in 1980s robotic lettering. Glass showers are actually in the sleeping area, with only a kitschy Alpine meadow scene veiling life’s vitals.
Creatif Hotel Elephant (Map; 555 785; www.creatifelephanthotel.com; Lämmerstrasse 6; s/d €75/85; ) This bright and welcoming hotel is the best of a bunch of midrange options north of the Hauptbahnhof. Simple rooms with bright decor have sound facilities, though nothing to raise the pulse.
Hotel Belle Blue (Map; 550 6260; www.hotel-belleblue.com; Schillerstrasse 21; s from €75, d from €92; ) This chic little hotel employs subtle, attractive colour schemes and tasteful furnishings to great effect. The bathrooms are a hit, with their glass cubicle showers, underfloor heating and designer fixtures. All this distracts you from the fact that the rooms are a little snug.
Hotel Hotelissimo (Map; 557 855; www.hotelissimo.com; Schillerstrasse 4; s €68-189, d €98-199; ) A stone’s thrown from the Hauptbahnhof, this chic family-run hotel has immaculate rooms and a general feel-good factor. Decor reflects a real appreciation for design, colour and fabrics.
Also recommended:
Hotel Bristol (Map; 5434 8880; www.bristol-muc.com; Pettenkofer Strasse 2; s/d from €69/85; ) Comfy, well-furnished rooms with friendly service and generous breakfast.
Hotel Müller (Map; 232 3860; www.hotel-mueller-muenchen.de; Fliegenstrasse 4; s €79, d €99-139; ) Big, bright business-standard rooms and good price-to-quality ratio.
Hotel Schweiz (Map; 543 6960; www.hotel-schweiz.de; Goethestrasse 26; s €55-68, d €75-98; ) Bright but cosy hotel with maple-wood furniture, a small wellness area and an open-air terrace.
TOP END
Anna Hotel (Map; 599 940; www.annahotel.de; Schützenstrasse 1; r from €160; ) Take a top location,