Review of Bayerischer Hof

The Bayerischer Hof in Munich remains a paragon of European hospitality, recognized globally as one of the most illustrious heritage hotels. Established at the behest of King Ludwig I in 1839, this legendary address seamlessly blends historic grandeur with contemporary luxury. The property features 263 exquisitely appointed rooms and 74 distinctive suites, each crafted by renowned architects and interior designers. For those seeking the ultimate in exclusivity, the 350-square-meter Penthouse Garden Suite spans the entire eighth floor, offering an unmatched sanctuary above the city.

Bayerischer Hof is a destination in itself, boasting a private nightclub, the astor@Cinema Lounge, five celebrated restaurants—highlighted by the three-Michelin-starred Atelier—six vibrant bars, and its own Komödie im Bayerischen Hof theatre. The crowning jewel is the Blue Spa, a 1,300-square-metre rooftop oasis designed by Andrée Putman, which extends over three levels and provides sweeping Munich vistas. The spa’s amenities include a retractable-roof pool, multiple saunas, steam baths, a beauty salon, sun terrace, and a fully equipped fitness center. Additional features comprise a boutique shopping arcade, onsite art gallery, and a secure parking garage complete with valet and car wash service.

Perfectly positioned on Promenadeplatz Square, Bayerischer Hof places guests at the heart of Munich’s vibrant cultural and retail district. Within a five-minute walk, you’ll find iconic landmarks such as the Bavarian State Opera, Frauenkirche Cathedral, and world-class museums. Upscale boutiques and specialty cafés at Marienplatz are also a short stroll away, as is the serene Hofgarten park. The area boasts an extraordinary culinary scene, including eleven Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance.

Munich Airport (Franz Josef Strauß International) is approximately 35 kilometers from the hotel, while Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof) is just over one kilometer away, ideal for arrivals by train. Private jet travelers can conveniently access Bayerischer Hof from Oberpfaffenhofen Airport in about 35 minutes by car, and helicopter landings at the Drivers & Business Club Munich are roughly 25 minutes’ drive. The Allianz Arena, home to FC Bayern Munich, is situated 10 kilometers away for sports enthusiasts.

Public transport is easily accessible: Marienplatz S-Bahn station is the nearest, with U-Bahn stops at Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz both a ten-minute walk. Theatinerstrasse tram stop is also close by, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the city.

As Senior Housekeeper Stefanie Hurkmans famously notes, “No two rooms at Bayerischer Hof are identical, just as no two guests are the same”—a philosophy that defines the hotel’s approach to personalized luxury.

Throughout the hotel, a curated roster of celebrated designers has transformed each accommodation into a unique haven. Highlights include the timeless elegance of Siegward Graf Pilati, the vibrant English charm of Laura Ashley, Philippe Hurel’s cosmopolitan R&B flair with fabrics by Manuel Canovas, and the colonial inspirations of Renato Rabbiolo. Axel Vervoordt brings a serene, minimalist touch to the south and north wings, showcasing handpicked art pieces and custom ceramics by Kosi Hidama, while all rooms feature marble-clad bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and dual vanities.

Signature amenities encompass a welcome tray with fresh fruit and mineral water, Molton Brown toiletries, large flat-screen TVs with 400 satellite channels, iPod docks, minibars, and digital safes. Services range from 24-hour in-room dining and babysitting to canine amenities, garment pressing, and a pillow menu. Suites add further indulgence with premium audio systems, DVD players, Nespresso machines, walk-in closets, and in select suites, fully equipped kitchens, open fireplaces, whirlpool baths, and private terraces with panoramic views.

The suite selection is diverse: Suite 043 by Pilati features museum-quality antiques, sumptuous textiles, and a dramatic spiral staircase to a mezzanine gallery. The regal Bavarian Suite 328 pairs rustic wood paneling and a modern four-poster bed with a Philippe Starck-designed bathroom. Themed suites include the tropical Trauminsel Suite 535—crafted by Oscar-winning designer Rolf Zehetbauer—alongside the rock-inspired Gottschalk Suite 672, the Parisian-style Suites 415 and 416, and the Manhattan-inspired 5th Avenue Suite 525.

Four Panorama Suites on the rooftop, designed by Pilati, are styled in penthouse fashion using mahogany, Siena marble, and Brazilian granite. The two-bedroom Panorama Suite 705 features a soaring 4.4-meter ceiling, a grand marble fireplace, dining area, kitchenette, and a 78-square-meter terrace with water feature and city views.

The historic Palais Montgelas annex houses the Presidential Suites, defined by classical European refinement, rare antiques, and opulent fabrics. These suites can be combined to create one of Europe’s largest private hotel floors, ideal for high-profile guests requiring discretion and space.

Axel Vervoordt’s Penthouse Garden Suite, enveloping the entire eighth floor, is a sanctuary of tranquility with floor-to-ceiling windows, reclaimed wood furnishings, and custom lighting by Kosi Hidama. The wraparound terrace offers breathtaking city vistas. For larger parties, the suite can be combined with adjacent rooms to form the Penthouse Garden Ensemble—nine rooms including two sumptuous bedrooms, five deluxe doubles, and two junior suites. Exclusive privileges include champagne, artisanal chocolates, complimentary minibar, in-suite afternoon tea, breakfast with champagne, in-room massages, and dedicated butler and chauffeur services.

Perched high above Munich’s rooftops, the Blue Spa at Bayerischer Hof is a sanctuary of holistic well-being. Designed by Andrée Putman, this four-level wellness retreat covers an impressive 1,300 square meters, crowned by a retractable glass roof that bathes the 21 x 14.5-meter pool in natural light. An outdoor fireplace adds warmth and ambiance, even during the cooler months.

Guests enjoy access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, expert-led personal training, yoga and Pilates classes, and a range of sauna experiences—ranging from a gentle ladies’ organic sauna to a classic Finnish sauna with aromatic infusions, as well as a traditional steam bath. Facilities include an immersion bath, cold plunge, tranquil relaxation lounges, a tanning suite, and a beauty center offering advanced facials, classic manicures and pedicures, and anti-aging treatments featuring collagen and caviar extracts. Arnoldy & Team Hairdressers ensure guests are perfectly styled for any occasion.

The Blue Spa’s medical wellness program, under the expert guidance of Ulrich Barth, is tailored for rehabilitation and preventive care, attracting elite athletes and discerning travelers alike. The spa’s acclaimed therapists provide a broad spectrum of global therapies and signature massages, ensuring an individualized approach to relaxation and rejuvenation.

For culinary wellness, the spa kitchen serves light, health-focused cuisine crafted from fresh, local ingredients, complemented by an extensive menu of refreshing beverages and creative cocktails. During summer, guests can savor rooftop barbecues while gazing out over Munich’s skyline.

Entertainment is equally robust: the astor@CinemaLounge offers plush armchair seating for 38 guests to enjoy the latest films, while the Komödie im Bayerischen Hof hosts a 560-seat theatre with a diverse program of live performances. The hotel’s iconic nightclub sets the stage for internationally acclaimed jazz and blues artists, and the Piano Bar features celebrated pianists every Friday, making evenings at Bayerischer Hof truly unforgettable.

Throughout modern history, a select few hotels have shaped the cultural and social fabric of their cities—Bayerischer Hof stands proudly among them. Commissioned by royalty and opening its doors in 1841, the hotel was acquired by Mark Hermann Volkhardt in 1897 and has since remained a cherished, family-run institution, now under the stewardship of Innegrit Volkhardt, the fourth generation at the helm.

The Volkhardt family’s legacy is deeply entwined with Munich’s own evolution. Once Europe’s largest hotel—hosting luminaries such as Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the legendary tenor Caruso—Bayerischer Hof has continually reinvented itself, balancing its storied heritage with the dynamism of contemporary hospitality. The property’s resilience, particularly during the post-war years, is a testament to the family’s vision, transforming it into one of the most expansive and versatile luxury venues worldwide. The hotel now boasts an extraordinary array of amenities, from a panoramic rooftop spa and palatial suites to Michelin-starred dining, private cinema, vibrant nightlife, and a resident theatre—all achieved without the constraints of a corporate chain.

Every guest at Bayerischer Hof is enveloped in a warm, familial atmosphere—a hallmark of the Volkhardt legacy. Their enduring commitment promises that the hotel will continue to surprise and delight for generations to come.

Bayerischer Hof offers a remarkable culinary journey across its diverse array of restaurants and bars.

Leading the dining experience is Atelier, Munich’s preeminent three-Michelin-starred restaurant, where Chef Anton Gschwendtner curates seasonal tasting menus that blend French precision with Asian influences. The Blue Spa Lounge and Winter Garden serve light, health-conscious fare and host lively summer barbecues with panoramic rooftop views. The Roof Garden and its lounge provide an idyllic setting for a champagne breakfast or à la carte morning dining, while the Restaurant Garden, with its inviting summer terrace, specializes in modern brasserie classics and innovative twists on Bavarian favorites. For traditional Bavarian cuisine, Palais Keller presents hearty regional specialties beneath historic vaulted ceilings, complete with an in-house bakery. Trader Vic’s delivers a taste of the South Pacific, featuring Polynesian dishes prepared in a signature beech oven.

The hotel’s five bars each offer their own distinctive ambiance: the Blue Spa Bar serves refreshing cocktails with skyline vistas; Falk’s Bar, set in the storied Hall of Mirrors, is famed for inventive mixology and classic drinks; the Night Club and Piano Bar pair expertly crafted cocktails with live music; the Polar Bar delights guests with warming snacks and beverages during winter; and Trader Vic’s Menehune Bar is renowned for its legendary tiki cocktails in an exotic setting.

Bayerischer Hof is committed to sustainable luxury, collaborating exclusively with designers who prioritize eco-friendly practices—such as Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt, celebrated for his sensitive restoration of historic spaces with minimal environmental impact.

The hotel has made significant strides in reducing its ecological footprint by phasing out single-use plastics, introducing eco-alternatives, and encouraging guests to reuse linens and towels to conserve water and energy. Every area of the property is climate-controlled for optimal efficiency, and all lighting has been upgraded to energy-saving LEDs. These ongoing efforts align with the latest sustainability standards in the hospitality industry.

• Historic Legacy: Few luxury hotels worldwide can trace their heritage to the early 1800s. The Bayerischer Hof’s uninterrupted family ownership since 1897 and its survival through World War II make it a living piece of history and a testament to resilience.

• Atelier Restaurant: Under Chef Anton Gschwendtner, Atelier has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s finest dining destinations, offering refined French cuisine with Asian nuances and consistently retaining its three Michelin stars.

• Exceptional Team: Service at Bayerischer Hof exceeds even the highest expectations. The staff’s intuitive, anticipatory approach reflects the personal touch of a dedicated owning family, resulting in an experience that feels both attentive and genuinely warm. Varun SharmaEditor-In-ChiefBusinessclass

• Falk’s Bar: My father, Falk Volkhardt, discovered the Hall of Mirrors—the only room to survive the war’s devastation. In 1945, he opened Munich’s first post-war restaurant here. In 2002, I transformed this iconic space into Falk’s Bar in his honor, preserving its legacy for new generations.

• Penthouse Garden Suite: Although I feel at home throughout the hotel, the Penthouse Garden Suite holds a special place for its serene atmosphere—so peaceful that you can hear birdsong in the heart of bustling Munich.

• Bird’s Nest View: I have a deep affection for the Blue Spa. On summer evenings, sitting atop the city with panoramic views of Munich’s skyline and its Cathedral is both calming and empowering—a truly unique experience.Innegrit VolkhardtOwnerHotel Bayerischer Hof

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