Altstadt / Sendlinger Tor

Motel One Munich-Sendlinger Tor

★★★★★

Motel One has become Germany's favourite answer to the question of how to stay centrally without paying grand-hotel prices, and its Munich-Sendlinger Tor hotel is one of the best placed in the city. It stands at Herzog-Wilhelm-Strasse 28, on the south-western edge of the old town, a few steps from the Sendlinger Tor, one of the three surviving medieval city gates, and around ten minutes on foot from Marienplatz along the Sendlinger Strasse, one of the most attractive shopping streets in the centre. The formula is simple and well executed: compact, well-designed rooms, comfortable beds, good showers, free Wi-Fi and a stylish lounge instead of a restaurant. Standard rooms, The One, are around sixteen square metres, with Special One rooms with a king bed of around twenty-five square metres and versions with a balcony of around eighteen, plus accessible rooms. Every Motel One has a local design theme, and here it is inspired by the palaces of King Ludwig II, blending baroque and modern styles: the One Lounge has a mural of Neuschwanstein, a velvet sofa with ceramic table legs, egg chairs and a fireplace-style feature, and it serves drinks and snacks into the evening. Breakfast is an optional extra, with an emphasis on healthy and organic products, served from early morning on weekdays and later at weekends. The Sendlinger Tor U-Bahn station, a hub for several underground lines, is around the corner, with direct trains to the main station and to the trade fair grounds, and the main station itself is within walking distance. Parking is limited and cannot be reserved, so arriving by public transport is best. Rates are the lowest of any hotel in this guide, and for travellers who spend their days out exploring and want a clean, stylish, central base, it is excellent value.

Rooms: rooms are compact but efficient, with quality mattresses and well-designed bathrooms, though there is little storage, so pack light. The Special One rooms with a king bed are worth the upgrade for couples staying several nights, and the balcony rooms add a little outdoor space. The hotel is popular, especially during trade fairs and Oktoberfest, when the Theresienwiese is a short walk away and rates rise sharply across the city, so book early.

Eating and drinking: there is no restaurant, but you hardly need one. The Sendlinger Strasse and the Asamkirche, the extraordinary baroque church built by the Asam brothers, are right on the doorstep, the Viktualienmarkt is about ten minutes away, and the Glockenbach and Gaertnerplatz quarters, with some of the best bars and restaurants in Munich, are a short walk south-east. The One Lounge is a good spot for a drink before you head out.

Location and drawbacks: Sendlinger Tor is a busy square, and some rooms face the street, so ask for a quiet room if you are a light sleeper. Facilities are limited to the essentials, with no gym, pool or room service. But for value, location and design, it is one of the best budget choices in central Munich, and an especially good base for Oktoberfest visitors and anyone planning day trips by train.