With a kaleidoscopic cultural scene and an affluent populace, Munich is regarded as one of Germany’s most stylish and sophisticated cities, says Assif Majid
Located just a stone’s throw from the main rail station and pedestrian area, the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost provides the perfect base from which to explore this chic cosmopolitan city.
Housed in a 19th-century building, the five-star luxury hotel in Munich features distinctive avant-garde architecture and contemporary design. Until 1993 this fine Renaissance-style building, now a listed monument, was occupied by the Bavarian state post office. Munich-based architects Fred Angerer and Gerald Hadler renovated the building and recreated the original concept of open space and high ceilings.
First impressions: glamorous, stylish and welcoming
Once inside, the 339-room hotel oozes contemporary style that you would expect to find in an exclusive boutique hotel. An attractive combination of natural materials such as stone, precious woods and leather and lacquered, glass and chrome surfaces gave this part of the hotel a stylish, elegant feel. The focal point of the building is the 27-metre high foyer connecting the lobby to the rear of the building. A unique lighting concept bathes the foyer area in different colours to create a variety of moods and ambiences.
All of the Munich hotel’s rooms have been designed in a contemporary fashion. Our room overlooked the glass-ceiling lobby, and was a decent size room that came with all the mod cons you would expect from a five-star hotel and more. We particularly liked the mobile telephone, Bose iPod docking station and the Nespresso machine (a life saver). The freshly baked macaroons and gift by Dumas were a lovely surprise. The hotel had arranged for us to take a bit of the hotel away with us by providing a chic leather travel bag and two luxury pillows – which we adore!
While distinctly luxurious in design, the room showed a minimalist streak. The bed, yet again, was on another level – it was very similar to the one we experienced at the uber-luxe The Standard in New York. If you are in the mood of splashing out the hotel offers 10 extravagant suites that are located on the top floor and come with jaw dropping views of Munich and the Bavarian Alps. Harald Klein designed each of the suites on a particular theme and his careful choice of colours, materials, furnishings, artwork and decorative objects invests each room with its own unique and distinctive ambience. Our favourite is the ‘Oyster’ – it comes with a Jacuzzi, kitchenette and a 13-sqm media wall. The colour scheme is purple, white, grey and burgundy and the materials used throughout include natural stone, white leather, coloured glass and a dining table made of white Corian.
We were checked into a double room, which was just as glamorous. The bathroom was an experience in itself, though the room didn’t come with a bathtub, it did include a powerful rainforest shower and luxury Hermes toiletries – and a rubber toy duck – what more could you want?
The Munich hotel also boasts a stylish bar and brassiere. Make sure you enjoy the extensive breakfast buffet in the “Schwarz & Weiz”, pamper yourself with brassiere specialities at La Delice Braserie, and round off the evening with a cocktail from Isarbar.
Rejuvenating spa experience
Moodern French cosmetology combined with the best spa techniques from the across the globe are what you can expect at the hotel’s SoSpa.
The luxury spa is located on the ground floor of the hotel, and this sanctuary is a must visit if you are staying at the hotel or visiting Munich. The spa comprises of a gym, a spiral shaped swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and a deep relaxation room.
Make the stresses and strains of daily life fade away by booking a Carita in deep relaxing massage – you won’t regret it. The 60-minute ritual-using signature Carita movement is designed to deeply relax tissue, improve circulation and relieve muscle tension. At the end of your massage enjoy a bowl of exotic fruit and fresh juice of your choice and relax even more in the hotel’s deep relaxation room on a specially designed power nap couch.
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Bayerstraße 12, 80335 Munich, Germany, sofitel-munich.com
