Schwabing or Alstadt (Munich)
Jul 17th, 2006, 12:28 PM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless you have a specific reason to stay in Schwabing, it would make much more sense to stay nearer the Old Town. Otherwise, most of what you will want to see will require a bus or train ride in. If you saty in Old Town, most everything is walkable. We typically stay near the Main Train Station ourselves.
Jul 18th, 2006, 02:11 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>It totally depends. Downtown (=old town=Altstadt) gives you a few more opportunities.
...during the daytime (shopping etc.). In the evenings the Old Town is quite dead and Schwabing - especially the northern part between the Giselastrasse and Münchner Freiheit - is alive.
...during the daytime (shopping etc.). In the evenings the Old Town is quite dead and Schwabing - especially the northern part between the Giselastrasse and Münchner Freiheit - is alive.
Jul 18th, 2006, 12:24 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While I like parts of Schwabing, you might want to list the names of applicable hotels here.
There are a number of hotels in Schwabing, such as the Marriott and the Renaissance, that are rather far away from the action and avid nightlife that can be found in other parts of Schwabing.
There are a number of hotels in Schwabing, such as the Marriott and the Renaissance, that are rather far away from the action and avid nightlife that can be found in other parts of Schwabing.
Jul 18th, 2006, 02:10 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Hotel Astoria on Nicolaistrasse about halfway between Gieselastrasse and Münchener Freiheit is a good place. I have used it quite a few times in the past. There is plenty going on up and down Leopoldstrasse.
the Astoria puts on the best hotel breakfast you will find. Incredible the variety, quality, and amount of the food that is available.
the Astoria puts on the best hotel breakfast you will find. Incredible the variety, quality, and amount of the food that is available.
Jul 18th, 2006, 03:10 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are the hotels I am considering: Opera, Torbraeu, Cosmopolitan, or Admiral.
Also in the running, but "big-chain" properties: Dorint Sofitel Bayerpost and Eden Hotel Wolff,
At the end of the day, I am unsure about the "right by the train station" location-- in most American cities, at least, near the train station would not be an appealing location, but in Munich, that seems to be a plus according to many reviewers. Do you have an opinion on any of these hotels?
Also in the running, but "big-chain" properties: Dorint Sofitel Bayerpost and Eden Hotel Wolff,
At the end of the day, I am unsure about the "right by the train station" location-- in most American cities, at least, near the train station would not be an appealing location, but in Munich, that seems to be a plus according to many reviewers. Do you have an opinion on any of these hotels?
Jul 19th, 2006, 09:29 PM
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
penny,
as in every city, the area around the train station is not the most upscale one. There are a few sleazy strip joints and cheap telephone shops etc in Munich as most everywhere, too.
However that would not hold me back from staying at the Dorint Sofitel Bayerpost which is a remarkably well designed hotel IMHO. Plus, its location is central.
Of the others I only know the Eden Wolff, although I haven't stayed there. It's located on the other side of the station from the Dorint, but the area does not differ that much. It is a far more traditional hotel and if it comes at the same price as the Dorint I would opt for the Dorint.
The Hotel Opera is located in the charming Lehel district, wlaking distance to the upscale shopping along Maximilianstr. The Lehel always feels like a village right in the city center to me. Not at all bad and locationwise nicer than the area around the station.
Their website also indicates the Gandl restaurant nearby. That is quite a nice place (where I had dinner once) and if there is some relation between the Hotel and the Restaurant, that might speak for the hotel.
The Torbräu is on Tal St. in the city center. Very central shopping street right in the thick of things.
The Cosmopolitan seems to be on Hohenzollernstr. in Schwabing. That is a nice shopping mile in the Schwabing district. Right in the center of things there and a nice area IMHO. It should be easy walking distance to Muenchener Freiheit subway station from where trains will whisk you into the city center within approx. 5 minutes (to Odeonsplatz and 7 min. to Maximilianplatz) - Munich is a compact city after all.
It being part of the Geisel Hotel Group is not bad, as they operate some of the more reputable hotels in the city.
I am not that familiar with the Admiral's location in the greater Gaertnerplatz area. This area is a bit more coloured and varied than other areas in Munich - not bad, though. It is closer to Viktualienmarkt.
In order to summarize: I don't think that any of the hotels you selected are in a bad location. I would, with all due respect, disregard the local expertise regarding Sendling that was offered by logos, which may be nice for living in Munich, but would not thoroughly increase the quality of your stay as compared with the options you already have.
The independent hotels you selected are all in nicer areas than the Dorint - and the Eden Wolff (which admittedly is also privately owned). The Dorint would be of completely different character being a modern design hotel and sporting a great pool and spa area (and also being much bigger than the other selections here).
From the impressions I got from taking a look at the websites of the hotels, I would prefer the Opera and the Cosmopolitan over the Admiral and the Torbraeu. That would, for one, be based on their respective location, and apart from that mere gut feeling, if you catch my drift.
If your focus lies on the area where you stay, I would opt for one of the four aforementioned places. If your focus lies on a nice hotel, this would bring the Dorint back into the competition. I think you can disregard the Eden Wolff. Not that that's bad, but it might be of the same character as your other four independent options which are all in a nicer location.
I hope this helps a bit. Have fun on your trip.
as in every city, the area around the train station is not the most upscale one. There are a few sleazy strip joints and cheap telephone shops etc in Munich as most everywhere, too.
However that would not hold me back from staying at the Dorint Sofitel Bayerpost which is a remarkably well designed hotel IMHO. Plus, its location is central.
Of the others I only know the Eden Wolff, although I haven't stayed there. It's located on the other side of the station from the Dorint, but the area does not differ that much. It is a far more traditional hotel and if it comes at the same price as the Dorint I would opt for the Dorint.
The Hotel Opera is located in the charming Lehel district, wlaking distance to the upscale shopping along Maximilianstr. The Lehel always feels like a village right in the city center to me. Not at all bad and locationwise nicer than the area around the station.
Their website also indicates the Gandl restaurant nearby. That is quite a nice place (where I had dinner once) and if there is some relation between the Hotel and the Restaurant, that might speak for the hotel.
The Torbräu is on Tal St. in the city center. Very central shopping street right in the thick of things.
The Cosmopolitan seems to be on Hohenzollernstr. in Schwabing. That is a nice shopping mile in the Schwabing district. Right in the center of things there and a nice area IMHO. It should be easy walking distance to Muenchener Freiheit subway station from where trains will whisk you into the city center within approx. 5 minutes (to Odeonsplatz and 7 min. to Maximilianplatz) - Munich is a compact city after all.
It being part of the Geisel Hotel Group is not bad, as they operate some of the more reputable hotels in the city.
I am not that familiar with the Admiral's location in the greater Gaertnerplatz area. This area is a bit more coloured and varied than other areas in Munich - not bad, though. It is closer to Viktualienmarkt.
In order to summarize: I don't think that any of the hotels you selected are in a bad location. I would, with all due respect, disregard the local expertise regarding Sendling that was offered by logos, which may be nice for living in Munich, but would not thoroughly increase the quality of your stay as compared with the options you already have.
The independent hotels you selected are all in nicer areas than the Dorint - and the Eden Wolff (which admittedly is also privately owned). The Dorint would be of completely different character being a modern design hotel and sporting a great pool and spa area (and also being much bigger than the other selections here).
From the impressions I got from taking a look at the websites of the hotels, I would prefer the Opera and the Cosmopolitan over the Admiral and the Torbraeu. That would, for one, be based on their respective location, and apart from that mere gut feeling, if you catch my drift.
If your focus lies on the area where you stay, I would opt for one of the four aforementioned places. If your focus lies on a nice hotel, this would bring the Dorint back into the competition. I think you can disregard the Eden Wolff. Not that that's bad, but it might be of the same character as your other four independent options which are all in a nicer location.
I hope this helps a bit. Have fun on your trip.
Jul 19th, 2006, 09:48 PM
#13
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It may help you to know that, as an example, there is a rather upscale hotel directly across the street from the RR station: LeMeridien. Across one of the strets from that there is a sex store. Because of that and the fact that this area also has some ethnic take-out places some here, in the past, have charcterized the whole area as "seedy."
Fast forward to the main route from the RR area to the Marienplatz: on the way you will pass one of the largest sex stores in Germany, the Beate Uhse emporium, however nobody EVER says that the area around the Marienplatz is seedy so go figure.
Fast forward to the main route from the RR area to the Marienplatz: on the way you will pass one of the largest sex stores in Germany, the Beate Uhse emporium, however nobody EVER says that the area around the Marienplatz is seedy so go figure.
Jul 19th, 2006, 10:15 PM
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dukey,
while I agree that the area around the station is bearable and not spectacularly bad, there are quite a number of outfits along Seidlstr. and Goethestr. that would perfectly fit the desciption of being sleazy. And that is right off Bayerstr. where the Dorint and the Le Méridien are located.
It would still not put me off staying at the Dorint, which I like for its design and atmosphere. But I do stick with the views outlined on my former post: if location is vital, the smaller hotels penny mentioned may be a better choice.
while I agree that the area around the station is bearable and not spectacularly bad, there are quite a number of outfits along Seidlstr. and Goethestr. that would perfectly fit the desciption of being sleazy. And that is right off Bayerstr. where the Dorint and the Le Méridien are located.
It would still not put me off staying at the Dorint, which I like for its design and atmosphere. But I do stick with the views outlined on my former post: if location is vital, the smaller hotels penny mentioned may be a better choice.
Jul 20th, 2006, 05:53 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HSV--Thanks so much! As you surmised, the area around the hotel is most important to us, as well as a hotel with some charm and personality, larger than a B&B but smaller than a 100+ room hotel. But we do not need the usual spa, pool, etc perks of the larger hotels-- I am leaning toward the Opera or Admiral, both of which look about the same distance from Marienplatz and related tourist area, as well as the "museum district"-- and both hotels have quoted me identical rates.
My main hesitation with the Cosmopolitan, at which I could get a jr. suite for the same price, is that it appears to be pretty far north-- we like walking, but about how many walking blocks is it from that area to, say, the Marienplatz-- not opposed to the subway, but we are city dwellers and like to walk if possible.
Thanks again for all of your insight-- you must live in Munich?
-PC
My main hesitation with the Cosmopolitan, at which I could get a jr. suite for the same price, is that it appears to be pretty far north-- we like walking, but about how many walking blocks is it from that area to, say, the Marienplatz-- not opposed to the subway, but we are city dwellers and like to walk if possible.
Thanks again for all of your insight-- you must live in Munich?
-PC
Jul 20th, 2006, 01:46 PM
#16
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While I was based in Munich, I used to stay in Schwabing slightly further North than Hohenzollernstr. I walked into the city center (Maximilianstr.) a couple of times. It is about a 20 min. walk. Furthermore, there are rental bicycles everywhere. You just need to register by phone once and then call the company when you want to use a bike. They will then give you a code which you enter and then you are ready to go. Upon return its just another phonecall to the company where you indicate the location of the bike. Great way to explore the city.
If you torn between the Admiral and the Opera, my feeling would be to lean towards the Opera. The location of the Cosmopolitan is perfectly fine. Especially if you intend to venture out in the evenings it might be preferable towards all the other ones you mentioned. The ligne roset furniture advertised on their website should be a plus, too.
Basically I would be torn between the Cosmopolitan and the Opera. If you can get a Jr Suite at the former, I'd be tempted to jump at it.
Should you stay there, have a casual dinner at Schwabinger Wassermann or a romantic candlelight dinner on a Sunday night at Ö1 on Herzogstr. within easy walking distance!
If you torn between the Admiral and the Opera, my feeling would be to lean towards the Opera. The location of the Cosmopolitan is perfectly fine. Especially if you intend to venture out in the evenings it might be preferable towards all the other ones you mentioned. The ligne roset furniture advertised on their website should be a plus, too.
Basically I would be torn between the Cosmopolitan and the Opera. If you can get a Jr Suite at the former, I'd be tempted to jump at it.
Should you stay there, have a casual dinner at Schwabinger Wassermann or a romantic candlelight dinner on a Sunday night at Ö1 on Herzogstr. within easy walking distance!
Jul 20th, 2006, 01:49 PM
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forgot to point out: I am not at all a local. I am living in the far North of Germany, in Hamburg. The Bavarians would most likely despise me for that ;-).
I used to be based in Munich, though, for a couple of months recently - and I have been travelling there quite a couple of times.
Local advice on Munich can be obtained from logos here on the forum.
I used to be based in Munich, though, for a couple of months recently - and I have been travelling there quite a couple of times.
Local advice on Munich can be obtained from logos here on the forum.
Jul 20th, 2006, 02:10 PM
#18
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stay in the train station area when we are in Munich because we like wandering the Fussganger Zone that is close by. We have stayed in Schwabing but didn't want to have to ride the subway to get to Marienplatz. Our favorite hotel near the train station is Drei Lowen.
Jul 25th, 2006, 06:01 AM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi again... still debating, this is why planning this far in advance is dangerous! The Opera is too expensive. The Admiral is in our price range is well-revied on tripadvisor, but now you have me concerned about the neighborhood, Gaertnerplatz. Is there stuff to do at night, within walking distance of the Admiral? Such as outdoor cafes, restaurants, bars? I am not in love with the pictures on the Cosmopolitan's website, the rooms look a little dreary... help! Should I be considering a different place altogether? We like to be in an area where dinner is nearby and a nice walk from the hotel.
