"This five-star, 19th-century hotel, commissioned by King Ludwig I, commands an imposing position on Munich ’s grandiose Promenadeplatz. With its seven bars, five restaurants (including one with a Michelin star), fitness studio, and private cinema, plus rooftop spa, pool, and lounge bar, it’s a veritable royal palace—and in fact does offer suites in the adjacent Palais Montgelas. Little wonder Michael Jackson chose to stay here. The hotel has commissioned an array of designers throughoutitshistory, resulting in a wide variety of room styles, from African to Art Deco. Also available are a number of private suites,with glass-walled bedrooms that offer panoramic views. The designer flamboyance doesn’t stop at the guestrooms, however.Axel Vervoordt worked on the in-house cinema and Garden restaurant, and Andrée Putman designed the swimming pool and rooftop bar."

"The result of a collaboration between top gastronome Rudi Kull and architect Albert Weinzierl, this small but cozy hotel features a modern, fairly Zen interior, a great restaurant, a lively bar, and intimate, friendly service. Spread over several buildings, the hotel’s 75 rooms are elegant and minimal, with sedate and earthy color schemes and fantastic use of regional materials from linen and Jura stone to bronze and bog oak. Aside from the parquet floors, kilim rugs, and custom-made furniture, there are eco-friendly bed linens, REN products in the bathroom, and big flat pillows you can crush into any shape you want. Some of the rooms and suites also come with faux fireplaces. The bar and restaurant are popular among locals, and the courtyard patio provides ample mingling opportunities."

"This recently refurbished hotel is a low-key, friendly establishment whose modern, understated rooms, commitment to local artists, and elegant cocktail bar and restaurant have made it popular with both visitors and locals. There’s no reception as such, and no elevator either. Instead, a dramatic spiral wooden staircase leads directly up to the rooms, which are decorated in smart, modern style, with colorful touches such as lime-green armchairs matched to wood paneling and natural, earthy tones."

"Set in a historic building renovated by local architects Hild and K and Albert Weinzierl, Munich’s Louis Hotel has a prime location on the edge of the vibrant Viktualienmarkt. Stylistically, it mixes the Baroque with the contemporary, complementing detailed stucco, French balconies, and walnut bed frames with luxurious Italian fabrics, oiled oak floors, and designer furnishings. In addition to 72 chic rooms, guests can look forward to a lobby with a large fireplace, an in-house gym and sauna, a trendy Japanese restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views over city landmarks like St. Peter’s Church."

"Housed in a former Bavarian Royal Post Office building, the swank Sofitel Munich Bayerpost oozes upscale class from its Neoclassical facade right through to its contemporary interior. The 339 rooms merge classic and contemporary elements and feature bright fabrics, oversized photos, and materials such as leather, natural woods, and glass—plus comfy beds and natural-stone bathrooms. The additional 57 suites kick things up a few notches with extra indulgences, more space, and striking interiors that veer refreshingly far from five-star formality. Specialty suites with names like Scheherazade and Imperial take inspiration from the Old World and Old Hollywood, respectively; the Family suites have two floors; and the two So FIT suites come with an in-room treadmill, cardio bike, and free weights. If you can tear yourself away from such plush surroundings, you’ll also find a fantastic spa (with a heated, spiral-shaped pool and pampering treatments) and three suitably upscale dining and drinking options."

"Mandarin Oriental Munich Built into a medieval city wall, the Mandarin Oriental immediately impresses with a lobby and reception area dominated by two grand staircases. The rooms are no less dramatic, with elegant gold-and-cream color schemes, cherry-wood desks, Italian marble floors, and bathrooms large enough to have walk-in showers as well as deep tubs. Fine-art prints and etchings decorate the walls, while tasteful yet trendy amenities like Samsung TVs, Bose speakers, and yoga mats make guests feel right at home. Most rooms have views of Munich’s red roofs, but some apartment-sized suites have balconies overlooking the entire city. Up on the roof, there’s The Terrace restaurant, where guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and breathtaking panoramas. Matsuhisa serves Peruvian and Japanese cuisine and has a dedicated sushi bar, while neighboring Ory offers hip cocktails and fine wines. The hotel is also conveniently located near some of Munich’s top sights, from the Hofbräuhaus beer hall to high-end shopping street Maximilianstraße and historic Marienplatz square."

"This 160-room hotel attracted a lot of buzz when it opened in 2007. A brand-new building next to Munich’s former botanical gardens, it was part of a major effort to revitalize a struggling neighborhood. Though its Art Deco flourishes pay homage to bygone days, the Charles is thoroughly modern from the ground up. Rooms here are much larger than at your typical European hotel, and even the most basic have floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the city or park, heated limestone floors, and large marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate deep baths. The 24 suites also include a range of luxurious amenities, from in-bathroom televisions to private terraces with views of the Alps. In addition to massage and facial treatments, the stylish spa boasts the longest indoor pool in the city, as well as a Finnish sauna, steam room, and hot-and-cold foot baths. Plan on eating lunch or dinner at least once at Sophia’s, the airy, light-filled restaurant that spills out onto a terrace. Also be sure to visit the cozy lobby bar for excellent bites and craft cocktails."