The Charles Hotel stands on Sophienstrasse, on the edge of the historic Maxvorstadt district, with park views over the Alter Botanischer Garten from its Park View rooms. It is a five-star hotel and a member of Leading Hotels of the World, and one of the few central Munich hotels with a proper pool complex: an indoor pool, a children's pool, a hot tub, a sauna and a steam room, together with a full-service spa offering massages, facials and body treatments by reservation. A health club runs yoga and Pilates classes, and there is a hair salon, a terrace and a poolside bar. Dining is at Florio, a Mediterranean restaurant open from breakfast to dinner with al fresco tables in good weather, plus The Bar. The location is practical: the main station and the Hauptbahnhof Nord tram stop are each about four minutes' walk away, Karlsplatz, or Stachus, about six, Marienplatz about 15, the Viktualienmarkt about 17 and the Hofbraeuhaus about 18. Rooms begin at around 430 square feet for Classic and Deluxe rooms, with park or panoramic views in some categories, and they rise to Junior Suites, Classic Suites and large signature suites of around 790 to 990 square feet. Babysitting is available for a fee, valet parking and an airport shuttle are provided at extra charge, and pets are accepted for a fee per stay. It suits families who want a pool, couples who value space and travellers who need the station.
Location
Sophienstrasse sits between the main station and the Alter Botanischer Garten, in the Maxvorstadt area close to the Kunstareal and the old town. You can walk to the Pinakotheken and Koenigsplatz in a short time, and the old town in around a quarter of an hour. Nearby restaurants include the Park Cafe, a couple of minutes away. The airport is a drive of around 40 minutes, and the S-Bahn from the main station is a few minutes' walk.
Who it suits
Families with children, thanks to the children's pool and the generous rooms, couples who want a spa weekend in a city, and visitors who prefer a grand but residential setting to the busier old town. Museum lovers will appreciate the walk to the art museums. If you want to be next to the beer halls and the Viktualienmarkt, a hotel in the Altstadt such as the Cortiina or the Mandarin Oriental is closer.
Compared with nearby options
The Sofitel Bayerpost is similar in offering a pool and spa near the station, while the KINGs Hotel First Class is a lower-priced alternative in the same museum quarter. The Charles stands out for its pool complex, its generous room sizes and its view of the botanical garden. Expect higher prices for weekends, trade fairs and Oktoberfest, and note that valet parking and the shuttle cost extra.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor pool and children pool
- ✓Sauna, steam room and hot tub
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Health club with yoga and Pilates
- ✓Florio Mediterranean restaurant
- ✓Four minutes to the main station
- ✓Park view rooms
- ✓Babysitting on request
Good questions
How far is The Charles Hotel from the main station?+
About four minutes on foot. The Hauptbahnhof Nord tram stop is also about four minutes away.
Does the hotel have a pool for children?+
Yes. It has an indoor pool and a children's pool, plus a hot tub, sauna and steam room.
Is it close to the museums?+
Yes. It is in the Maxvorstadt area, a short walk from Koenigsplatz and the art museums, and about 15 minutes from Marienplatz.
