Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich
In December, I went to Munich as part of my annual visit to explore a new European Christmas Market. While I was there, I had the opportunity to spend part of my stay at the wonderful Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich. It's located in the heart of Munich on the grand Maximilianstrasse, just a few blocks away from key sites, such as Marienplatz, Munich's most famous beer hall, the Hofbrauhaus, the State Opera House, and fabulous shopping. This hotel is also steeped in history, having been built in 1858 originally for King Maximilian II.
From the moment you arrive at the Kempinski, you are warmly greeted by sharply-dressed doormen who whisk your bags away to your room for you once you have checked in so they are waiting for you.
The Kempinski has transformed the entrance of the hotel into an apres-ski scene, where you can enjoy a cozy glass of mulled wine, hot chocolate, and some warming food inside traditional ski lift cabins! There is also a bar set up in the centre of the ski-lift cabins with tables to stand at and enjoy some warming drinks with friends. It is such a great idea and helped add to the festive atmosphere.
When you enter the grand lobby, your breath will be taken away by the stunning art nouveau style glass ceiling, creating a warm and cozy glow over the room which is also a popular Munich bar. In this case, as it was Christmas, a large floor-to-ceiling tree stands covered with sparkling Swarovski ornaments. Great service also greets you by the reception staff, who make checking-in (and out) a breeze, and warmly welcome you for your stay.
Back to the main lobby, you can enjoy tea, coffee, cocktails, a meal, afternoon, or a tasty snack here. In fact, you can enjoy over 30 different teas, with Joel Belouet helping you make your choice, who is a certified 'Tea Master Gold'. You can also enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea with fresh classic sandwiches, pastries and scones. If you just fancy something sweet, there are many options to make your mouth water having been carefully made by the Kempinski Munich's expert patissier, Ian Baker, who also holds the honour of being Patissier of the Year 2015! Having enjoyed a few of the cakes, including the delicious stollen bread, I can highly recommend indulging.
There are 300 rooms available, which include 67 suites. Each room is uniquely decorated, inspired by the period of Maximilian II. Although each room is a bit different, there are common features, including a mixture of traditional and modern materials and techniques using glass, lumber, marble, and mosaics. The plexi-glass chairs in the rooms were designed by one of my favourite designers, Philippe Starck.
The moment I walked into my room, I felt instantly at home (and wasn't just because of the lovely welcome bottle of red wine and pastries!). The room exudes the mix of modern and traditional glamour perfectly, making you feel this is true luxury comfort. One of my favourite features in the room (both the main bedroom, and the bathroom which was a surprise!) were the replica paintings from the Old Pinkothek in Munich so you can enjoy your own Rubens or van Dyck in the comfort of your room. Essentially, the paintings were photographed and then wallpapered to effectively recreate these masterpieces. These re-created pieces of art made up for the fact that my view unfortunately was not very good.
I also loved the use of plush fabrics and linens around the bed. There is nothing better than an inviting bed to sink into after a long day of exploring. The bed has a suede headboard, which also extends onto the ceiling. The white linens are high quality, helping make your sleep extra sweet.
Another great touch is the custom white cabinetry. Stylish and functional, it makes you feel like you're in a 'real' bedroom, and has plenty of space to unpack and tuck everything away.
The bathroom was another favourite feature due to the unique decor and high tech features. Though, I think I loved the cuddly robe and soft slippers even more!
Make sure that you wake up in time to properly enjoy the delicious breakfasts at the hotel. What I loved is that the buffet is served in a room that recreates a beautiful home kitchen, adding to that luxury comfort feel. The food is fresh, tasty, and a wide selection to choose from - including the chance to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine. The staff are friendly and will help arrange anything you need.
My Sunday in Munich brought lots of rain and wind - and an unawareness that pretty much most of the shops and sights in the city are closed! What to do? Enjoy the luxurious spa on the top floor of the Kempinski, of course! I was definitely not alone in this idea, with quite a few others enjoying the lounge chairs around the pool with cups of tea and magazines, having a swim, or enjoying a treatment or two.
I chose to have a reflexology treatment with Tyson, having walked for miles and miles over the previous few days exploring. It was incredibly relaxing and I hated that it had to stop at the end of the hour. Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, try a treatment here (and ask for Tyson!). There are a range of services to choose from, including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, or body treatments. If you feel so inclined, there is also a fitness centre to keep up with your fitness schedule while you're away.
The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich has a 24 hour concierge to help you with your every need, including 24 hour room service. There are also laundry and cleaning services, a hairdresser, boutique, Bulgari shop, and flower shop. You can also have a limo arranged to get to the hotel from the airport when you book your room. Or, if you have driven, there is a car park underground.
I truly loved my stay from the moment I arrived to the moment I had to drag myself away to return home to London. For me, the glamour and luxury struck the right note. It wasn't over the top and puts a focus on comfort in quality surroundings, service, and privacy. It is also an an ideal location to base yourself to explore the city, saving travelling time. You truly feel like you're staying somewhere special. If you're thinking about visiting Munich, don't hesitate to have the Kempinski at the top of your list to stay!
