Does anyone have ideas for hotels in Munich for Oktoberfest? We just found out we are going and I've been calling all day and can't find a place to stay! I know it is VERY last minute, but does anyone have ANY reccommendations? Thanks!

Try either a travel agent or an internet booking service, rather than the individual hotels. In the past, we have had luck getting specific hotels through our travel agent because she had access to rooms that were reserved in bulk by the various agencies that her company works with. Also, some of the internet sites, unfortunately I don't know which ones, act as a clearinghouse for rooms reserved in bulk. At this point, these may be your best bet for a hotel.

Thanks, I'm trying everywhere I can....

Have you tried Utell or Discounthotels?

expatmommy- try
http://www.muenchen-tourist.de/englisch/index_e.htm
I suspect you can find a hotel there but it may be pretty expensive.
I obtained a room at the Imperial hotel for the 'Fest 2 years ago at about this time. 463 Landsberger Str.
'phone number 49-089-8207980. I think their web site is www.imperial.de
If these don't work for you try some of the big on-line companies like hotel.com. Good luck and don't drive after the 'fest!
KennyL

Thank you, I will check right now.

Try venere.com. I've had luck there in the past.

As a European (well Brit actually, not European, but I've just returned from a wonderful holiday in Montana, so I want to help you guys out

Follow these steps:

1) Buy a traveller's guide to Germany (c'mon, they do sell them in the States!)

2: Find hotels in Munich.

3) Phone some of them. It is possible, we have a better phone system than you guys. Your local phonebook will tell you what codes to phone.

Sorry if this sounds flippant, but the point is that you may well not find a hotel on the internet - the Europeans are way behind you chaps here. But if you stick at it for a an hour or two, you'll almost certainly find a hotel room on the phone (they all speak English - maybe not American - ask for "efficiencies" and they won't know what you're talking about).

By the by, the Oktoberfest was rubbish last year - too many tourists, in 3 days we couldn't even get into one of the beer tents - I'd skip it and just enjoy Bavaria and some of the town beer gardens. Buy a guidebook and you'll be OK.

Cheers, Phil, Salisbury, UK.

Ah, the absolute joy of experiencing varied opinions, especially the one about the quality of the phone systems! Now, if we could just find this person a room............

try this one:
http://www.de.lastminute.com/lmn/pso...0&SORTBY=2

regards
hsv

try here

http://www.ses-astra.com/market/deutschland/index.htm

this in german but should lead you to the right hotel. while I got a reseravation 4-5 months in advanced I got impression the German frauliens in the room next door was more spur of the moment kind of thing.

Have fun. Last year's Oktoberfest was one of the best times of my life - if I could only remember it.

expatmommy - if you don't have any luck in the next few days I suggest you stay outside of Munich (Augsburg for example) and train in and out. Regional Express trains take around 40 minutes and cost around $20 RT- still cheaper than the mark-up at Munich hotels. We stayed in Salzburg last year and trained in 2 days in a row. Worked out very well

In 2001 the return fare from Salzburg - Munich was about £10.50 for the three of us (on a Sunday, mind you). You could buy the ticket on the train as well. Hope it's some help.

Cheers, Phil.

Oh, and to explain, the bit about "better phone system" refers to the fact that you can phone any country in the world (as far as I know) from any European phone, even payphone, without trying to go through AT & T or Bell credit card service. Anyone else tried that?!

Hi Sarah,

The Brits are no longer Europeans?

We Brits have never been Europeans. Just ask the French.
Phil.

P.S. Important point for you guys - in the UK we still use the pound, Euros are not accepted anywhere outside the airport. Hope this helps (BTW it's true!).

Thanks for all the posts!! I found a place through Discounthotels, but may search on these other places to see if I find something better. The place I have booked now is Hotel Wallis (3-star), about 5 miles from the wisen (is that the correct usage of the word?).

sarah - unfortunately, I am not in the states and did exhaust my two guide books suggestions. I did notice, however, when calling around yesterday, people were very helpful with suggesting and giving numbers for other hotels.

Once again, you fodorites have saved me a lot of time and stress.

Munich Marriott properties have rooms available for the whole time frame according to their web site. Go check it out. The Munich Marriott is a nice hotel, though not in city center. But is has good access to all parts of city

expatmommy- If the hotel Wallace you booked is at Schwanthaler Str. 8, it is a lot closer than 5 miles to the 'Fest. Go west on Schwanthaler Str. for 8 blocks, turn south onto St. Pauls Str. for 3 blocks and you are there! An easy 10-12 minute walk.
Have a good time...

Depending on how long you're going to stay IN Munich you might consider purchasing the Munich (Welcome)Card which inlcudes unlimited rides on the public transportation system and includes maps of the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and tram networks as well as a ride to the airport on your last day. You should be able to get one at your hotel or at the tourist office near the main railway station.