Okay, I can't justify staying at the Rafael, but can someone recommend something really nice that wouldn't cost quite as much? Thanks!

Hi Beth - Last spring I stayed at the Hotel Jedermann - located on Bayerstasse and is 3 or 4 blocks from the Hauptbahnhof (main train station). <BR>I had a single room which cost 140DM - about $75 per night. Great location with a tram stop right outside the front door. My room included a bathroom and was very clean and quiet. There was a PC in the lobby for guests to use to send e-mails etc. The staff was very helpful & provided assistance on sightseeing and concert tickets. All in all a very nice experience! Enjoyed my stay in Munich very much - have a great time! CHRIS

Message: Try the Hotel Wallis. Small hotel with a Bavarian theme, excellent breakfast included, walking distance to Marienplatz, reasonably priced, park garage next door, right across the street from the Opera House. I found it to be quiet, clean, comfortable and the English-speaking staff were very courteous and helpful. <BR> http://www.bookings.org/de/hotels/wallis

Beth, I just checked the posted rates for the Hotel Wallis. What we paid for a double was nowhere near the current posted rate. I suggest you send an e-mail message to the Munich official tourist site and request a list of hotels within your price range and desired location. That's how we got a good rate with the Wallis back in 1997.

We just stayed in the Blauer Bock, located on Sebastianplatz around the corner from the Marienplatz and within spittin' distance of the Viktualienmarkt. The room we had, with private toilet but shower down the hall, was 125 DM per night, with wonderful featherbed-type comforters. Very nice, bright and clean rooms; they even have nonsmoking floors. And you can't beat either the location or the price! (They also do *not* raise their rates during Oktoberfest, and may well be the only hotel in Munich with this policy.)

We stayed at the Pension Seibel in Munich at the end of August. We had a nice double room with private bath for 159DM per night. The breakfast was also very good. It is located about 2 blocks from the Viktualienmarkt. Here is their website: http://www.inmuenchen.de/Hotel/Pension/Seibel/

We always stay at the Hotel Europaischer Hof, directly across the street from the main train station. Excellent location,though not downtown.If traveling by train, no hassle about luggage. Near startup point for the Romantic Road Bus tour. <BR>Rates include a great! great! breakfast. <BR>Your rates will vary depending on the room. Standard to deluxe. <BR>Go to:http://www.hotelsgermany.net/munich/europaischer_hof/ <BR>or:http://www.munich-online.de/hotels/e...en.html#Preise

Hi Beth <BR> <BR>I contacted the German tourist office here in London when planning my forthcoming trip (I leave for Munich on 15th Oct--can't wait!) and basically asked them the same thing! I gave them a limit of DM 200 and asked them to find me somewhere central, with comfortable rooms and good facilities. They came up with the Exquisit, near Sendlinger Tor. Their rack rates for a double are more like DM 340, but they offer discounted weekend rates. I was offered a rate of DM 195 per night, which for a 4 star hotel in central Munich, was too good to turn down. We will be staying in cheaper places for the rest of the trip (apart from one splurge at a Neckar valley castle hotel) but I always think it's worth staying somewhere well-equipped and extra-special in a city. <BR> <BR>I'll be posting a report of the trip when we get back.

Sorry Beth--I hit "post" too soon! <BR> <BR>I was going to add that it might be a good idea for you to do the same thing--contact the tourist office either in Munich, or wherever you are, and try to tap into their contacts. They have access to discounts that we travellers don't always get by contacting the hotels direct.

I'm with Gino. The Europaischer Hof is a great hotel, well located and a good breakfast. Very good choice. <BR>Ismael