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by Paul Wheatley, The Daily Telegraph, August 26, 2016
An attractive combination of tradition and design, the Alpen Hotel Munich is another one-off in the city ‘hotelscape’. Not part of a chain, it’s a single business owned by two brothers, one of whom looks after the kitchen, the other the rest of the hotel.
Location 7/100
Though the main station is just a minute away, the hotel’s location provides more than mere convenience. It is situated a little off the busiest central streets, with restaurants and cinemas in the very near vicinity. The central transport hub of Karlsplatz, leading directly to the main shopping street, is a couple of minutes or so away, with the Altstadt and Marienplatz a further short walk.
Style & character 7/100
Built in 1859, during the building boom on the back of an industrialising Bavaria, modernisations and renovations have enhanced the character of this four-floor building. There is little here that is flamboyant or overdone; instead the smartness and elegance of the exterior is repeated with the interior. The hotel’s ‘Alpen’ moniker, however, is slightly misleading: Munich might be around an hour from the foothills of the Alps, but this hotel has more sophistication than a copycat Alpine stay. Yes, designers have provided a rustic feel with natural stone and various woods; but an unfussy, clean style with straight lines also reveals a quietly stylish, modern hotel interior.
Service & facilities 5/100
Service and facilities are limited. There is free Wi-Fi throughout and an iPad in the lobby. Parking, next door, costs €20 (£17). Dinner can be taken in rooms, though not breakfast or lunch.
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Rooms 7/100
The Alpen Hotel has gently positioned itself as a design hotel, and previously took on the Appia hotel design group to renovate rooms. Many now have lamps by lighting specialists Molto Luce, fine stone tiles surround the showers and handmade wooden furnishing by Charakterstück. The result is smart, good-looking modern spaces. As well as the usual TV, each room has a mini-bar, organic teas by Bioteaque and Fairtrade shower products. Older – ‘classic’ – rooms are available, as are three suites.
Food & drink 8/100
The hotel includes the highly regarded bar and restaurant Stefan’s, which focuses on Mediterranean and Bavarian dishes. It’s modern, though mirroring the rest of the hotel, it gives several nods to the Alps and tradition: medium woods, large windows for natural light and walls adorned with paintings of historic Bavarian figures. The menu is seasonal, often organic, featuring gnocchi and pork sausages, asparagus risotto and Flammkuchen. Stefan’s is also home to an accompanying chef’s school. Breakfast (again, partly organic) is substantial, with breads, meats, cheeses, fruits and mueslis, plus bacon and eggs. The bar forms part of the restaurant/breakfast area and has the usual offerings of beers, cocktails and soft drinks.
Value for money 7/100
Double rooms from €169 (£143) in low season; from €270 (£230) in high. Breakfast included
Access for guests with disabilities?
No. There are no specialised features, and the hotel is not wheelchair accessible.
Family-friendly?
Some rooms are geared towards families, and the hotel will accommodate extra beds for children in other rooms. The restaurant has a children’s menu, but its six options are ‘real’ food choices, ranging from pasta and tomato sauce to Wiener Schnitzel with roast potatoes and salad.
Adolf-Kolping-Strasse 14, 80336 Munich, Germany.00 49 89 559 33-333alpenhotel-muenchen.de
This article was written by Paul Wheatley from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
