Hotel in Munich - in city center or outside?
Nov 14th, 2007, 09:47 AM
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Hotel in Munich - in city center or outside?
Our usual system of reading through fodors posts and checking out listings on TripAdvisor seems to be failing us for finding a hotel in Munich. We generally like to be located in the city center, but many of the top rated hotels on TA are located outside of the city center. Two in particular are located near Nymphenburg Palace. They are Hotel Laimer Hof and Hotel Kriemhild.
The people who have reviewed these places did not find it difficult to take the transportation into the city. Most places I find recommended closer to the city center are located near the train station and many people say that area can be a bit sketchy at times. Everyone says to stay around the Marienplatz, but I am having trouble finding names of actual places to stay near there (that aren't also near the train station).
We are a family of four looking for either a quad/family room or two doubles that will run about $350-$400USD per night (that would be the cost for both rooms). We also prefer smaller boutique hotels or B&B's. We would probably be in Munich for 5 days, definitely doing some daytrips as as we.
Would be interested in places that people stayed that were centrally located in "non sketchy" areas or opinions on staying 10-15 min. by tram outside of the city center.
We are planning on renting a car for other portions of the trip, and the places near Nymphenburg have free street parking so that maybe a plus. Would it be easy to do daytrips to Dachau, Salzburg etc. with our own car rather than by train? We would prefer that so we could be on our own schedule.
The people who have reviewed these places did not find it difficult to take the transportation into the city. Most places I find recommended closer to the city center are located near the train station and many people say that area can be a bit sketchy at times. Everyone says to stay around the Marienplatz, but I am having trouble finding names of actual places to stay near there (that aren't also near the train station).
We are a family of four looking for either a quad/family room or two doubles that will run about $350-$400USD per night (that would be the cost for both rooms). We also prefer smaller boutique hotels or B&B's. We would probably be in Munich for 5 days, definitely doing some daytrips as as we.
Would be interested in places that people stayed that were centrally located in "non sketchy" areas or opinions on staying 10-15 min. by tram outside of the city center.
We are planning on renting a car for other portions of the trip, and the places near Nymphenburg have free street parking so that maybe a plus. Would it be easy to do daytrips to Dachau, Salzburg etc. with our own car rather than by train? We would prefer that so we could be on our own schedule.
Nov 14th, 2007, 10:17 AM
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check out Hotel Uhland in Munich
www.hoteluhland.com
great staff, breakfast and rooms, close to train stop
www.hoteluhland.com
great staff, breakfast and rooms, close to train stop
Nov 14th, 2007, 10:20 AM
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We liked Hotel Uhland in Munich. Although it's not far from the train station, it is in a very nice residential area. The hotel is charming and the service is excellent. A good breakfast is also included. It's about a 20 minute walk to the centre. See reports on www.tripadvisor.com.
Nov 14th, 2007, 10:53 AM
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Hi jgg -
No need to rent a car for Salzburg or Dachau. But a car definitely makes a trip to Wies, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Ettal, and other places to the south much easier. And you will want to see these places. You might consider an overnight stay nearby instead of day trips.
The Uhland has parking.
As an alternative to the Uhland, you might want to try the Acanthus. Much better location.
No need to rent a car for Salzburg or Dachau. But a car definitely makes a trip to Wies, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Ettal, and other places to the south much easier. And you will want to see these places. You might consider an overnight stay nearby instead of day trips.
The Uhland has parking.
As an alternative to the Uhland, you might want to try the Acanthus. Much better location.
Nov 14th, 2007, 11:23 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions. I had already looked at the Uhland but was put off a bit by some people's comments on TA about smoke problems, particularly in the common areas. Also, someone mentioned that they couldn't guarantee a nonsmoking room. Did you find that to be a problem? Perhaps I will put it back on the list.
robertino - thanks for the rec. for the Acanthus. It looks great, but it too had several comments about smoke problems and also some comments about poor housekeeping, esp. wrt the pillows. I usually disregard 1 or 2 negative comments but when there are several it becomes hard to ignore.
thank you also for the comments about driving. We are debating right now how much to do as daytrips or maybe just staying in another location as well.
robertino - thanks for the rec. for the Acanthus. It looks great, but it too had several comments about smoke problems and also some comments about poor housekeeping, esp. wrt the pillows. I usually disregard 1 or 2 negative comments but when there are several it becomes hard to ignore.
thank you also for the comments about driving. We are debating right now how much to do as daytrips or maybe just staying in another location as well.
Nov 14th, 2007, 12:55 PM
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I am beginning to understand your dilemma - no reasonably priced hotels in the center that don't have problems. Not that the Uhland is in the center. It's not.
So you're either going to have to stay all the way out behind the Nymphenburg, with no subway access, or spend a little more money. I think spending a little more money is better than staying someplace that's really inconvenient to everything except the Nymphenburg.
The Hotel Opera was a bit on the expensive side, but 4 of us stayed there over Christmas a few years ago and it was a delight. Nice rooms, nice staff. It's between the Residenz and the Isar, just off Maximillianstrasse, in the Lehel neighborhood. The subway station was a 2 minute walk away. Marienplatz was a 10, maybe 15 minute walk. The neighborhood was very quiet and quite the opposite of sketchy. There's also a Sixt office around the corner, so you don't have to pick up your car at the train station (a nightmare, truly) or up in Schwabing.
An overnight, or 2 night, stay in the Alps would be a great treat, and a better value than Munich.
So you're either going to have to stay all the way out behind the Nymphenburg, with no subway access, or spend a little more money. I think spending a little more money is better than staying someplace that's really inconvenient to everything except the Nymphenburg.
The Hotel Opera was a bit on the expensive side, but 4 of us stayed there over Christmas a few years ago and it was a delight. Nice rooms, nice staff. It's between the Residenz and the Isar, just off Maximillianstrasse, in the Lehel neighborhood. The subway station was a 2 minute walk away. Marienplatz was a 10, maybe 15 minute walk. The neighborhood was very quiet and quite the opposite of sketchy. There's also a Sixt office around the corner, so you don't have to pick up your car at the train station (a nightmare, truly) or up in Schwabing.
An overnight, or 2 night, stay in the Alps would be a great treat, and a better value than Munich.
Nov 14th, 2007, 01:05 PM
#7
This is not a boutique hotel, but we are a family of four and are booked into the Munich Marriott in Schawbing. It is a full scale marriott with rooms with two doubles. I think it has a small pool onsite.
I also read the same reviews as you, but I wanted a/c since we will be there in late June. I read about the sketchy train station area. So, we booked into the Marriott and it is a quick ten minute ride on the train. The train is a walkable 5 minutes to our hotel.
I went for comfort, safety and a/c.
Oh and it was relatively inexpensive and we have breakfast included. I think it was about 160 usd per night. It is rated 4 stars.
I also read the same reviews as you, but I wanted a/c since we will be there in late June. I read about the sketchy train station area. So, we booked into the Marriott and it is a quick ten minute ride on the train. The train is a walkable 5 minutes to our hotel.
I went for comfort, safety and a/c.
Oh and it was relatively inexpensive and we have breakfast included. I think it was about 160 usd per night. It is rated 4 stars.
Nov 14th, 2007, 01:28 PM
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The S-Bahn trains to the west of Munich leave every 10 or 20 minutes. A ride to downtown takes about the same time. What's so bad about places like Germering, Aubing or Puchheim? It's inexpensive there.
Nov 15th, 2007, 01:28 PM
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Thanks again for the help.
Robertino I looked up Hotel Opera and it looks wonderful but with the exchange rate 190 euros per night is over $250 per night, for 2 rooms that is way over our budget, especially considering we are going to spend 5 nights there. Also, I might want to mention there were several reviews on TA that had some really negative comments about it. You may want to add your two cents to TA if you had a good experience.
Girlonthego - Before I even posted this question I had looked at the Courtyard Marriott in the city center, but really hoping to find something with a bit more personality/charm. The one in Schwabing is about the same distance by trains as the ones I mentioned near Nymphenburg, however they don't have a/c which, like you I am wondering about since we will be there mid-late June.
Is a/c important in Munich at that time of year?
Robertino I looked up Hotel Opera and it looks wonderful but with the exchange rate 190 euros per night is over $250 per night, for 2 rooms that is way over our budget, especially considering we are going to spend 5 nights there. Also, I might want to mention there were several reviews on TA that had some really negative comments about it. You may want to add your two cents to TA if you had a good experience.
Girlonthego - Before I even posted this question I had looked at the Courtyard Marriott in the city center, but really hoping to find something with a bit more personality/charm. The one in Schwabing is about the same distance by trains as the ones I mentioned near Nymphenburg, however they don't have a/c which, like you I am wondering about since we will be there mid-late June.
Is a/c important in Munich at that time of year?
Nov 15th, 2007, 01:37 PM
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>Is a/c important in Munich at that time of year?
The usual answer
In my life, living in Munich for several decades, I never needed or even thought of having a/c installed. There are only a few warmer/hot days in late July/early August that might be unpleasant. This year we had one or two. Peolpe that tell otherwise have no idea
But you will need heating in winter!
The usual answer
In my life, living in Munich for several decades, I never needed or even thought of having a/c installed. There are only a few warmer/hot days in late July/early August that might be unpleasant. This year we had one or two. Peolpe that tell otherwise have no idea But you will need heating in winter!
Nov 15th, 2007, 01:42 PM
#11
I think there have been good years and there have been bad years weather wise. I am a wimp. If it is really hot, I want a/c. We will be there late June and it would be my luck that a heat wave will hit the city right when I am in the hotel with no a/c. So I would rather give up charm for some comfortable beds in the hotel with a/c.
Good luck in your search!
Good luck in your search!
Nov 15th, 2007, 01:49 PM
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We stayed at the Hotel Laimerhof and didn't find the ride into central Munich inconvinient. I was concerned that the hotel might be too far out, but once we got there, we realized it was a great location - nice neighborhood and covinient to transportation. The tram stop is a 5 minute walk away and the trams come by very often. The S-Bahn is 10 minute walk.
We were in Munich for 5 days as well and we found that being outside the city center helped us see more of Munich than we might otherwise have and get a different feeling for the city. If we were only going to be there for a short time, I would have chosen something close to the city center so as to maximize our time sightseeing.
We were in Munich for 5 days as well and we found that being outside the city center helped us see more of Munich than we might otherwise have and get a different feeling for the city. If we were only going to be there for a short time, I would have chosen something close to the city center so as to maximize our time sightseeing.
Nov 15th, 2007, 01:53 PM
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I hit post too soon - on the AC issue, we were there in mid July during a heat wave, and it was warm. At night it cooled off a bit though, and we found that an open window cooled the room enough to be comfortable. I think it is all a matter of what you are used to though - we don't have AC at home so we are used to sleeping when it is warm. Some people have trouble sleeping in a room that is above 70F.
Nov 15th, 2007, 02:10 PM
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girlonthego - I know what you mean - we were in Rome June of 2006 and had a horrible heatwave - everyday 100 degrees - they kept telling us it is NEVER that warm in Rome until July/August. Our hotel had a/c but really didn't work that well (they have since renovated it and updated the a/c!!).
J Correa - I really appreciate your comments about your stay at Hotel Lamierhof. One of the main reasons we like to stay in the city center is so there are restaurants nearby at night, or some form of shopping for DD and I to do nearby while DH and DS take their afternoon naps. I have read that the neighborhood near the Lamierhof is very nice, and that there are a few restaurants nearby - is that what you found? Are there any little shops nearby to take an afternoon stroll through?
J Correa - I really appreciate your comments about your stay at Hotel Lamierhof. One of the main reasons we like to stay in the city center is so there are restaurants nearby at night, or some form of shopping for DD and I to do nearby while DH and DS take their afternoon naps. I have read that the neighborhood near the Lamierhof is very nice, and that there are a few restaurants nearby - is that what you found? Are there any little shops nearby to take an afternoon stroll through?
Nov 15th, 2007, 02:29 PM
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>Are there any little shops nearby
Well, there's a Tengelmann and a REWE supermarket, a post office, a place that sells mattresses and a flower shop. My fav. greek chain restaurant is 3 stops by bus 51 (to OEZ) or tram. It'll take about 20min to reach the OEZ shopping mall from there. Bus stops right in front of the main mall entrance, opposite of a MCDonads and Saturn electronics. It looks like somewhere in the US there, so DD shouldn't have a problem at all
Well, there's a Tengelmann and a REWE supermarket, a post office, a place that sells mattresses and a flower shop. My fav. greek chain restaurant is 3 stops by bus 51 (to OEZ) or tram. It'll take about 20min to reach the OEZ shopping mall from there. Bus stops right in front of the main mall entrance, opposite of a MCDonads and Saturn electronics. It looks like somewhere in the US there, so DD shouldn't have a problem at all
Nov 15th, 2007, 02:42 PM
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Or you can take the Bus to Laimer Platz subway station (about 4 stops), a Tengemann, Rewe (closed for renovation), Tchibo, DM drugstore, Post, 2 health food stores, Gelato place, several Fruits and Vegetables, Cheese store, Aldi opens in December, T-Mobile store, Penny supermarket, a clothing boutique, several banks and ATMs, hairdressers, a public library, MC Donalds AND a Subway sandwiches place!
No mall there ;-)
No mall there ;-)
Nov 15th, 2007, 03:36 PM
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Try Hotel.de. We booked Hotel Opera for June 08 at 118 euros. And this is during a trade fair week when the others are going at the higher rates.
Good luck.
I was interested in Robertino's comment about picking up a car. We are getting ready to reserve a car to pick up in Munich and take down to the Alps. Where is the best place to pick up a car from Hotel Opera and drive south to Garmishe? Thanks
Good luck.
I was interested in Robertino's comment about picking up a car. We are getting ready to reserve a car to pick up in Munich and take down to the Alps. Where is the best place to pick up a car from Hotel Opera and drive south to Garmishe? Thanks
Nov 15th, 2007, 04:09 PM
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It will take "forever" to get to the Garmisch Autobahn from there! Don't get lost.
If you want to play it safe, I would take the subway to Ostbahnhof an rent a car there. It's not far to the "Mittlerer Ring" from there. All you have to do is follow it southbound until you see the exit for the Autobahn to Garmisch.
If you want to play it safe, I would take the subway to Ostbahnhof an rent a car there. It's not far to the "Mittlerer Ring" from there. All you have to do is follow it southbound until you see the exit for the Autobahn to Garmisch.
Nov 15th, 2007, 07:27 PM
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Thanks again everyone. I am following up on all leads!!
Sue - I checked out Mercure Munchen and it definitely seems like a possibility. The rates go down by 50euros per day when you are staying on the weekend as opposed to a week day. We are very flexible with our dates at the moment, so might be able to work it that the majority is on the weekend. There were a lot of comments on TA about the location being near a bunch of youth hostels and the street it was on not being that great. Then others mentioned the youth hostels but said it wasn't really a problem. Would be interested in knowing what you thought about it.
logos - thank you for the info. about shopping. Actually DD wouldn't be that interested in shopping in a mall or anyplace else that looked just like the US, but others may find the info. helpful.
I did find what looks like a nice B&B (atleast from their website) but can find absolultely nothing else on the internet about it. (not even rated on any of the other international TA sites). Perhaps they are new, I think I am going to e-mail them and ask a few questions, but wanted to put the name out here just in case someone is familiar with it or the area (logos - you appear to live in Munich - are you familiar with the area?) It is called Pension Gartnerplaztz (http://www.pensiongaertnerplatz.de/en/) and is located in the "so called Gärtnerplatz- and Glockenbachdistrict.
One more question, also found Hotel Astoria in the Schwabing neighborhood. It is still a tram ride into the city center, but appears like there maybe a fair amount of restaurants, etc. near there. Is that correct?
Sue - I checked out Mercure Munchen and it definitely seems like a possibility. The rates go down by 50euros per day when you are staying on the weekend as opposed to a week day. We are very flexible with our dates at the moment, so might be able to work it that the majority is on the weekend. There were a lot of comments on TA about the location being near a bunch of youth hostels and the street it was on not being that great. Then others mentioned the youth hostels but said it wasn't really a problem. Would be interested in knowing what you thought about it.
logos - thank you for the info. about shopping. Actually DD wouldn't be that interested in shopping in a mall or anyplace else that looked just like the US, but others may find the info. helpful.
I did find what looks like a nice B&B (atleast from their website) but can find absolultely nothing else on the internet about it. (not even rated on any of the other international TA sites). Perhaps they are new, I think I am going to e-mail them and ask a few questions, but wanted to put the name out here just in case someone is familiar with it or the area (logos - you appear to live in Munich - are you familiar with the area?) It is called Pension Gartnerplaztz (http://www.pensiongaertnerplatz.de/en/) and is located in the "so called Gärtnerplatz- and Glockenbachdistrict.
One more question, also found Hotel Astoria in the Schwabing neighborhood. It is still a tram ride into the city center, but appears like there maybe a fair amount of restaurants, etc. near there. Is that correct?
