Hotel Review: Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor

Home to Oktoberfest, the Bavarian capital of Munich is also at the heart and soul of what travelers tend to conjure when picturing Germany. One example is lederhosen: the traditional leather shorts that the destination is known for. And that’s one of the first things I noticed when I entered the lobby at the brand-new Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor.

Set in Schwabing — a neighborhood that was once the Bohemian center of the city, home to artists and musicians and writers — the hotel has set out to embrace Munich’s creative class, both past and present. 

Entering Andaz Munich’s sleek, bright lobby, I took in three things: first, a big, bronze pretzel-shaped sculpture cast by a local foundry and set right at the front door. Doubling as a couch, it’s a nod to the essential food accompaniment to the city’s famously huge, frothy steins of beer. The lobby also features blue skies — projected from electronic panels in a video installation designed to convey the region’s fair firmament (it’s even depicted on the Bavarian flag, in a blue-and-white check pattern). The scenes were captured by cameras set up on the hotel’s roof for several months. 

And, last but not least, there’s the lederhosen: a whole wall made of the same leather and copper thread used to create this iconic Oktoberfest garment. 

After checking into the property at a small desk that seems to float within the large, open space, I pulled up a seat at the bar. The bar was built underneath 3,000 crystals, which were intended to evoke the era of 1920s cabaret in this neighborhood. Sipping some early afternoon champagne as I waited for my room to be ready, I noticed small groups of young, smartly dressed men and women around me. Munich has become a center for European tech and other startups, and Andaz Munich courts these entrepreneurs and designers with airy spaces in addition to its 2,000 square meters of meeting space.

The 277-room hotel, which opened earlier this year, is also traveler friendly. Accommodations are large and comfortable, with huge windows and a free-flowing design that leads from a leather couch to a bed to an open-concept bathroom, complete with a deep soaking tub and a separate, walk-in shower. Big closets are lit with LED lighting, and several items in the minibar are complimentary.

Over my two-night stay, I spent time in the spa — paddling around in the pool, watching the sun wane over the far-off silhouette of the Alps and enjoying a massage that used local honey in the oil. I had a classic cocktail at the rooftop bar, which is the highest in town and buzzes with stylish locals. It also offers 360-degree views of Munich’s famous spires and domes. 

I dined in the hotel, too, which offers several outlets, including The Lonely Broccoli. The property’s signature steakhouse, it serves charcoal- and slow-roasted meats, as well as foraged salads; all feature sauces made from local ingredients. 

And like all Andaz hotels, Andaz Munich encourages guests to get outside; for example, a “slow down guide” to the area is placed in every room. The property sits just north of the city’s main attractions, including Marienplatz, Munich’s much-photographed central square. Marienplatz requires a long walk but is also reachable by transit (or car) in about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Englischer Garten, Munich’s massive 1.5-square-mile urban park, is within walking distance.

Relaxed, well-rested and a little hungry, I made my way there on a sunny Sunday. It’s home to one of the city’s best-known beer gardens, so I grabbed a liter of lager and — what else? — a big pretzel, sitting down at a long table near a pond. I was not wearing lederhosen, but the beer was cold, and the pretzel was chewy, salty and delicious. Smaller than the one back in the lobby, for sure — but it did the job just fine. 

The Details
Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor
www.hyatt.com