Munich Hotels, Hostels, and vacation rentals

Most of Munich's tourist attractions are in or within walking distance of the city center, so unless you're burdened with a car or you're trying to economize by sleeping on the outskirts, we'd recommend finding a centrally-located hotel.

If you're arriving by train, your decision is likely to be easy: Book a hotel within walking distance of the Hauptbahnhof, or central railroad station. The area isn't glamorous, but it's safe and pleasant enough, and it has Munich's largest selection of hotels--especially in the three- and four-star categories.

We can personally recommend the four-star Eden Hotel Wolff (on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof) and our personal favorite, the Conrad Hotel de Ville, an extremely comfortable three-star hotel where the generous breakfast buffet includes such Bavarian specialties as Weisswurst, Bratwurst, and Leberkäse. (The Conrad Hotel de Ville is owned by Conrad Meyer, whose family has been in the hospitality business for four generations. The staff are friendly, and housekeeping is impeccable.)

If you can afford to go upmarket, a luxury hotel such as the Bayerischer Hof (inset photo), the Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten, or the Mandarin Oriental Munich (perfectly situated in the old town near the Hofbräuhaus) is a great place to unload your euros.

Across the Isar River in the Haidhausen district, you'll find a number of hotels (especially chain properties) that are convenient to Munich's second major railway station, the Ostbahnhof.

North of the city center, the Schwabing district (between the Englischer Garten and the Olympiapark) has more hotels that are worth considering if you're a fan of nightlife or early-morning runs.

Youth hostels are scattered around town, with several private hostels near the main railway station. Munich also has  campgrounds, including one that operates in the Olympic Horse Stadium during Oktoberfest.

• To search for hotels and hostels at competitive prices, see the Munich pages at Booking.com (which offers lowest available rates at more than 300 properties in Munich) or the downtown hotel listings in our Munich resources.

Vacation apartments

• Booking.com: Munich is a good choice if you're looking for a holiday rental, a "condo hotel," or a serviced apartment.