Altstadt / Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse

Rosewood Munich

★★★★★

When Rosewood Munich opened in October 2023, it was the brand's first hotel in Germany and the first ultra-luxury hotel to open in the city in more than a decade, and it quickly became the address of choice for travellers who want contemporary luxury in a historic shell. The hotel occupies two neighbouring buildings in the old town, on Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse, a quiet street between Promenadeplatz and the Odeonsplatz: the former headquarters of the Bavarian State Bank and the adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, a historic aristocratic residence. The architecture was handled by Hilmer Sattler Architekten Ahlers Albrecht, and the London designer Tara Bernerd created the rooms, suites, lobby lounge, courtyard and spa in a calm, tailored style of warm woods, natural stone and Bavarian craft references, while the Munich studio DiPPOLD designed the bar and brasserie. The opening release counted 132 rooms, including 59 suites, plus a handful of exclusive Houses named after members of the Wittelsbach family, each with butler service; the largest, the Koenig Maximilian House, is one of the most spectacular suites in Germany. Brasserie Cuvillies serves Alpine-inspired brasserie cooking, the Wintergarten is the place for pastries and afternoon coffee, the Palaishof is a terrace garden in the courtyard, and Bar Montez serves cocktails with live jazz in the evenings. The Asaya Spa, the first in Germany, spans around 1,300 square metres over two floors, with an indoor pool, treatment rooms, saunas, a steam room and a fitness centre. Rates are among the highest in Munich, but for travellers who want a polished, modern luxury hotel within a few minutes of the Residenz and Marienplatz, Rosewood sets the benchmark.

Rooms and suites: rooms are spacious by old-town standards and quiet, with large bathrooms, generous storage and a restrained colour palette, and suites range from junior suites to multi-room apartments. The Houses are a category of their own, suitable for families or small groups who want privacy and a butler, and one has a glass bridge connecting its living areas. Service is personal and unhurried, in the Rosewood style, and the hotel is noticeably calmer than the larger grand hotels nearby.

Eating, drinking and wellness: Bar Montez has quickly become one of the city's most stylish bars, especially with live jazz in the evening, and the Palaishof terrace is a lovely spot in summer. Brasserie Cuvillies is a good choice for a relaxed dinner without leaving the hotel. The Asaya Spa, with its pool, is a real asset after long days of sightseeing, particularly in winter, and its fitness facilities are among the best in any central Munich hotel.

Location: Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse is one of the best addresses in the old town, quiet yet a few minutes on foot from the Residenz, the Odeonsplatz, the Frauenkirche and Marienplatz, with the luxury shopping of the Theatinerstrasse and Maximilianstrasse close by and the Hofgarten and English Garden within a pleasant walk. Odeonsplatz and Marienplatz stations are nearby. The main drawback is the price, which places Rosewood firmly in special-occasion territory. For a honeymoon, a milestone birthday or a first trip where the hotel is part of the experience, it is one of the most rewarding stays in Germany, and its calm makes a welcome contrast to the crowds of Marienplatz in Advent.