Elegance and convenience don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Truly, guests need not compromise at Hotel Bayerischer Hof, a 337-room property in the city center of Munich, Germany, where the riches of the destination are steps away, yet guests are spoiled with reasons to stay put.
While I loved having access to restaurant Atelier, with its two-Michelin-starred haute cuisine, as well as the hotel’s around-the-clock in-room dining, I couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to stroll from the hotel to some of the city’s most sought-after establishments, including the iconic Hofbrauhaus Munchen beer garden. The Residenz Munchen, a grand palace for Bavarian monarchs, and the city’s bustling open-air farmers’ market, Viktualienmarkt, were also just a few minutes away on foot. To my serendipitous surprise, while walking to nearby shops, I passed the Rathaus-Glockenspiel mechanical clock right as it happened to be chiming.
My good luck continued at the hotel’s 13,000-square-foot Blue Spa. After a delightful Swedish massage and dip in the indoor pool, an empty chaise lounge opened up and beckoned to me. I obliged, kicking back on the terrace and taking in the sweeping views, just as the Glockenspiel started to chime once more. I couldn’t get over how something that visitors plan their days around came so effortlessly as a guest of the Bayerischer Hof.
The hotel offers a 13,000-square-foot spa with an indoor pool.
Credit: 2025 Benjamin Monn
“For U.S. travelers seeking an authentic yet luxurious experience in the heart of Munich, our hotel offers everything under one roof,” said Philipp Herdeg, chief operations officer of communication, food and beverage and Volkhardts Wine. “We’re proud to be an independent, family-run hotel with over 180 years of history, deeply committed to both tradition and innovation. And as members of The Leading Hotels of the World and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, we uphold the highest standards of excellence.”
Those who prefer maximizing their time on the property will find much to do. The five-star hotel offers shopping, a cinema, live entertainment, six bars and five restaurants, including a festive Trader Vic’s. While there are several cafes within walking distance, opt to stay put for the Champagne breakfast buffet at the Roof Garden Terrace and Lounge.
Designed by Paris’ Jouin Manku architecture and design studio, the restaurant serves crepes, French toast, benedicts and other made-to-order favorites, while overlooking the city center. Meat lovers will be in himmel (heaven) as they pile their plates high with German delicacies such as weisswurst (white sausage), fleischpflanzerl (meatballs), leberkase (Bavarian bologna) and Nuremberg sausages.
Unique Guestrooms and Suites
Guestrooms and suites also cater to a variety of tastes, some representing entirely different aesthetics.
The Penthouse Garden Suite covers the entire eighth floor.
Credit: 2025 Benjamin Monn“Our variety of rooms and suites is part of what makes the Bayerischer Hof so unique,” Herdeg said.
He recommends that travel advisors determine the client’s travel purpose — whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family vacation or a business trip — and then consider their style preferences.
The most discerning clients will love the stunning Penthouse Garden Suite, which encompasses the entire eighth floor. Designed by Belgium’s Axel Vervoordt, the suite boasts a garden terrace with unmatched views, furniture crafted from reclaimed wood and one-of-a-kind lamps from the mind of Japanese potter Kosi Hidama.
The Presidential Suite, on the other hand, is situated in the historic Palais Montgelas wing. The wing was constructed in 1811 and features a classic architectural style with antique furnishings. Clients who require discretion and high levels of security will feel at home here.
The historic Palais Montgelas wing dates back to 1811.
Credit: 2025 Daniel SchvarczOf course, any high-end property with a centuries-old history must continue to refine its product to meet the evolving needs of travelers. To that end, just last month, the Bayerischer Hof unveiled Panorama Suite 7, the hotel’s newest construction project completed by Vervoordt. The quiet luxury of this single bedroom suite is represented in neutral tones and furnishings, including an elegant, 18th-century French elm dining table and a 19th-century Italian maple bench.
“Ultimately, we want visitors to feel a sense of timeless elegance paired with modern comfort, and hope guests leave with a deep emotional connection and the desire to return,” Herdeg said.
