Platzl Hotel

The Platzl Hotel stands on Sparkassenstraße in the old town, a few minutes' walk from Marienplatz and close to the square called Platzl that gives it its name and where the Hofbräuhaus stands. It is a family-run four-star superior hotel operated by the Inselkammer family, who are also behind the Aying brewery south of Munich, and that Bavarian connection runs through the whole house.

The hotel is best known for its restaurants. The Pfistermühle is a fine-dining restaurant set in a historic vaulted cellar, while Ayinger am Platzl is a traditional pub serving Bavarian food and beer from the family's Aying brewery. Josefa, the hotel's café-bar, with its outdoor area Josefa Karree, is a lighter option for coffee, drinks and snacks. Staying here means you have a choice of a special-occasion dinner or a classic Bavarian meal without leaving the building.

The hotel has a spa and fitness area for guests. As with many old-town hotels, room sizes vary, so check the category descriptions if space matters to you, and ask for a quiet room if you are a light sleeper, as the streets around the Hofbräuhaus are lively in the evenings.

The Platzl suits couples, families and first-time visitors who want a central base with character, at a level below the city's five-star grand hotels in price but with full service and a strong sense of place. It is particularly convenient for travellers who plan to spend their evenings in the beer halls and restaurants of the old town. The family is also an Oktoberfest host, and rates are high and availability limited during the Wiesn, so book early.

Marienplatz station, with the S-Bahn and the U3 and U6, is about five minutes' walk away, and the Isartor S-Bahn station is also close. The Hofbräuhaus, Viktualienmarkt, the Residenz and Maximilianstraße are all within a few minutes on foot, so you can see most of the central sights without using public transport. The hotel is a good choice for travellers who prefer a traditional Munich atmosphere to an international chain. From the airport, the S1 and S8 lines run to Marienplatz and Isartor without changing trains.