The Charles Hotel
3rd place: In the middle of the city and yet surrounded by the greenery of the Old Botanical Gardens:
The Charles Hotel knows how to score points with its location as well as its luxurious facilities.
Anyone who knows their way around Munich knows that it's not easy to find a stylish hotel room in the immediate vicinity of the main train station. Apart from a handful of exceptions (two of which are notable), travelers in this area can expect nothing but soulless, run-of-the-mill hotels. So it's a good thing that The Charles, another hotel jewel from Sir Rocco Forte and his congenial sister, designer Olga Polizzi, has been around since 2007.
Located in the heart of the city, the Art Deco-inspired hotel almost makes you feel like you're in another world. This is certainly due to the luxurious ambience, but above all to the special location. The majority of the 160 rooms and suites overlook the Old Botanical Garden. And that means lush greenery as far as the eye can see and, at best, the gentle twittering of birds, if the city-noise-stricken ear can hear it at all. The lobby and the new "Circle Bar" were redesigned in 2025. The bar, which is located at the back of the lobby, is dominated by Art Deco elements. It offers champagne, snacks, coffee and patisserie inspired by the aperitivo culture, while works of art by Francois Mascarello and Mauro Staccioli complement the ambience.
Whether Classic Room or Presidential 2 Bedroom Suite: each of the sleeping and living areas is individually styled and has its own Rocco Forte reference to the respective destination. Carefully selected works of art by artists who work in Munich or have a special connection to the city, as well as pieces of furniture and decorative elements made especially for the hotel, round off the design concept. The Montforte Royal Suite is the largest and most spectacular of all the suites at 200 square meters, with a Bechstein grand piano, marble bathroom with steam cabin and a dream view of the peaks of the Alps.
And speaking of superlatives: the 15x8 meter indoor pool in the spa area is also one of the largest in Munich's hotels.
In terms of cuisine, the hotel restaurant Sophia's focuses on excellent, regional and hand-picked products from local producers. Sophia's Bar is the place to enjoy an excellent cocktail.
In the daylight-flooded Sophia's Restaurant, guests can enjoy sophisticated, Italian-inspired but informal cuisine. Under the leadership of new Executive Chef Thomas Beiglböck, the Sophia's team conjures up classics of Italian cuisine with a modern twist. In summer, the restaurant enchants with its terrace surrounded by greenery. The 200 square meter terrace has been redesigned to resemble a park. Wrought-iron furniture, green tones and comfortable textiles are intended to create a retreat in the center of Munich. As the summer outdoor area of the "Florio" restaurant, it complements the new restaurant concept that will open in September 2024.
Located in the heart of the city, the Art Deco-inspired hotel almost makes you feel like you're in another world. This is certainly due to the luxurious ambience, but above all to the special location. The majority of the 160 rooms and suites overlook the Old Botanical Garden. And that means lush greenery as far as the eye can see and, at best, the gentle twittering of birds, if the city-noise-stricken ear can hear it at all. The lobby and the new "Circle Bar" were redesigned in 2025. The bar, which is located at the back of the lobby, is dominated by Art Deco elements. It offers champagne, snacks, coffee and patisserie inspired by the aperitivo culture, while works of art by Francois Mascarello and Mauro Staccioli complement the ambience.
Breathtakingly individual
Whether Classic Room or Presidential 2 Bedroom Suite: each of the sleeping and living areas is individually styled and has its own Rocco Forte reference to the respective destination. Carefully selected works of art by artists who work in Munich or have a special connection to the city, as well as pieces of furniture and decorative elements made especially for the hotel, round off the design concept. The Montforte Royal Suite is the largest and most spectacular of all the suites at 200 square meters, with a Bechstein grand piano, marble bathroom with steam cabin and a dream view of the peaks of the Alps.
And speaking of superlatives: the 15x8 meter indoor pool in the spa area is also one of the largest in Munich's hotels.
Green, green, green
In terms of cuisine, the hotel restaurant Sophia's focuses on excellent, regional and hand-picked products from local producers. Sophia's Bar is the place to enjoy an excellent cocktail.
In the daylight-flooded Sophia's Restaurant, guests can enjoy sophisticated, Italian-inspired but informal cuisine. Under the leadership of new Executive Chef Thomas Beiglböck, the Sophia's team conjures up classics of Italian cuisine with a modern twist. In summer, the restaurant enchants with its terrace surrounded by greenery. The 200 square meter terrace has been redesigned to resemble a park. Wrought-iron furniture, green tones and comfortable textiles are intended to create a retreat in the center of Munich. As the summer outdoor area of the "Florio" restaurant, it complements the new restaurant concept that will open in September 2024.
