We would appreciate recommendations for hotels or pensions ($100-$170)in the Munich city center for January, 2003. Also advice on traveling from the train station (arriving from Salzburg) to city center would be great. Is there only one train station in Munich? Is there much wind in Munich in January? Is all precipatation in the form of snow in January? Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

My hotel in Munich is the Astoria in Schwabing, Nicolaistrasse 9. It is a small business hotel that serves the most fabulous breakfast, which is included. The rooms are comfortable, particularly 301, which by French standards is huge.<BR><BR>The regular staff speaks English, but the night man is not quite so fluent, but he is an ok fellow -- does his best to help out. The two regular ladies who staff the front desk are cheerful, helpful, and know many of the customers by name. I stayed there in 2001. This year when I walked in, Mrs. Hildebrand knew my name instantly. I had just walked in the door when I heard "Hello Mr. Brown." <BR><BR>Needless to say, this hotel runs full most of the time because it has a high percentage of repeat customers -- the valued regulars!!<BR><BR>The Gieselastrasse U-bahn stop is about a block away, stategically located near two Italian ice cream shops. Odeonsplatz near the Residenz is two stops down. Marienplatz, the center of it all, is 3 stops away.<BR><BR>There is one main train station in Munich, der Hauptbahnhof, which is a transportation hub. (There is also an east station, but not all trains go there.) S bahn and U bahn lines cross at the Hauptbahnhof, so transportation is fairly easy. The Munich U bahn and S bahn systems are neat and orderly, and they don't smell like the ones in Paris.<BR><BR>The ride to Salzburg is about 90 minutes depending on the type of train you take, a local or an express. And the trains leave from the Hauptbahnhof. The track area in the station is easy to find, and the departures are posted and updated constantly. I find it a very easy train station to use.<BR><BR>In January, expect snow. Rain is possible, but relatively rare, and usually of the freezing variety, so it is more dangerous than snow.<BR><BR>I like Munich. We were there the past two years, and I could easily go back.<BR>If you have the opportunity, and like opera, the theater where the performances are held is fabulous.<BR>And there are several good art galleries. <BR><BR>Getting to the city center from the main station can be done by U bahn to Marienplatz. In the winter you might not want to walk it, particularly if you are towing luggage. To reach my hotel, I took a cab. Easier that way.<BR><BR>The best way to the airport is (1) go to Marienplatz and take the S bahn to the airport, or (2) take the Ubahn to the Nordfriedhof station, go up the escalators, and wait at the Lufthansa bus stop. The bus, which runs every 20 minutes, normally gets you to the airport in 30 to 40 minutes.<BR>I have done it both ways.<BR>The advantage of the S bahn route is that you don't need to go back outside!!<BR><BR>And oh yes, the best double room at the Astoria is less than $120, including that great breakfast, which offers bread, meats, cheeses, fruit, cereal, <BR>jogurt, juices, jams and jellies, sweet buns, and plenty of coffee and tea.<BR>My favorite cheese was a delicious Camembert. But the others were yummy as well. Quite a feast.<BR>Needless to say, I like the place.<BR>

Although I often prefer small European style hotels, I just booked the LeMeridien in Munich for four nights next July. It is a newly redone four star right across from the train station which means we'll also save on taxis to and from the hotel. They have a web special on the LeMeridien website for 135 Euro for a deluxe room (also a lower rate, I think 115 or 120 for a standard, smaller room). That is less than half their normal price.

Karenn,<BR><BR>Another option is the Hotel Torbreau which is located at the start of the Marienplatz.<BR><BR>It too has a delightful breakfast with the standard German fare as Bob Brown mentioned.<BR><BR>The Torbreau is the oldest hotel in Munich, but very up to date. The people are friendly as well. On the second floor (US 3rd floor), they have a vending machine that, in addition to soft drinks, has beer available!!<BR><BR>In addition to being so close to the Marienplatz and the Viktualien Markt, the Hofbreau Haus is about 2 blocks away.<BR><BR>Transportation wise, the S-Bahn stop at the Isator Platz is about 50 yards from the front door of the Torbreau. I believe the Isator is the third stop from the Haupt Bahnhof. Very convienient.<BR><BR>Here is the website for the Torbreau:<BR>http://www.torbraeu.de/english/torbraeu.cfm<BR><BR>In addition, the Torbreau has an excellent Italian restaurant. <BR><BR> We stayed there this spring for 5 nights and will stay there again on our next trip.<BR><BR>Dick

The Hotel Kurpfalz ia perhaps another choice. I have reported on visiting there, here on this forum, but I have never actually stayed there.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

to the top<BR>

For more reliable weather predictions than anecdoctal reports, use www.weather.com.<BR><BR>You can type in any major city in the world under the "World" tab and get historical highs, lows, precipitation, month by month day by day. You can also check the 10 day forecast around the time of your trip.

Thanks to you all for the suggestions. What fun to find so many helpful responses in such a short time. Leslie, thanks for the weather web site. I've looked for records etc. on many other sites and have only found 5 day forecasts. Bob, Patrick, Dick and Rex, I'll check into each of those hotels. They all sound appropriate. Thanks again.

We stayed at the Munich Apart Hotel just last month...it was pretty decent...the room was big and the bathroom was modern. It wasn't near the city center but it was very close - literally around the corner- from the U-Bahn stop. And taking the sub way in Munich is SOOOOOOOO easy and comfortable as well...you can literally get EVERYWHERE you'll need to get to. The stops are convenient and the system is very easy to understand. And we found it to be pretty safe as well. <BR>OR you could walk into the city center from the train station...provided you don't have a lot of bags etc. Just go to the Tourist info center located right outside of the train station...get a map and start walking. You'll end up seeing some of the sights on your way into the center (Marienplatz).

Karenn,<BR><BR>Hotel Uhland on Uhlandstrasse, about 200 yards from the Octoberfest Fairgrounds is excellent. <BR><BR>It is a lovely 10 minute walk to the Sendlinger Tor and Sendlinger Strasse. I have been to Munich 6 or 7 times and have stayed there each time.<BR><BR>US

Thanks Jagirl and Uncle Sam--two more posible hotels to check out for our January adventure.

Try the InterCity located right at the Hauptbahnhof--can't be beat for access to the trains.

Not sure of the name but it is right across the street from the train station & is part of the Best Western chain. Amazingly quiet based on its locale & great for day-tripping, etc. Quite inexpensive. Bestwestern.com

The Hotel Drei Lowen is very close to the main station, and we liked it a lot. We stayed there a few years ago, but I've seen it since and it appears to have been kept up nicely.<BR><BR>If you plug the hotel name and Munich into google you'll find its site.

Hotel Ambiente is right down the street from the main train station. We stayed there several years ago for a several days. It is quite nice and within the budget you suggested.

Munich Marriott is quite nice and while not directly in city center is good location near the park and has good access via U-Bahn. Often offers very attractive rates.

The Platzl is a good choice: Location: A, Room: B, Breakfast: A+!!

For my money the Hotel ALFA can't be beat. Make a left out of station, walk 2 short blocks and its on the left. I've stayed three times and have had zero complaints. Very quiet, great breakfast, nice enough rooms (nothing fancy but price is right!!) and only 10 minute walk to Marien Platz..

Hotel Jedermann located on Bayerstr. 95 near the train station, tram stop out front, large rooms, toilet seperate from bathroom, parking on premises, great buffet breakfast, friendly English speaking staff<BR>url:<BR>www.hotel-jedermann.de/english/

Hotel Dallmann, off Maximilienstrasse, is about $100 a night. Clean, great location, quiet street. Also, Splendid, just down the street, is prettier and more expensive.