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The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, a landmark luxury property along Munich’s Maximilianstrasse, was originally built by King Maximilian II, owner of the nearby Residenz palace. It opened in 1858 to house his guests, as the King felt that his palace was too small to accommodate visitors.

Notable guests that have stayed here include Queen Elizabeth II, The Rolling Stones, Winston Churchill, Robbie Williams, Sophia Loren, Plácido Domingo, and Elton John.

Furnishings throughout the hotel have been selected from castles around Germany, including Nymphenburg Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle. Detailed mosaics, artworks, sculpture, and paintings grace the hotel’s walls and restaurants.

[Atmospheric lighting inside the cigar lounge]

The hotel’s name (Vier Jahreszeiten) translates to four seasons, as this was one of the first hotels in Germany to remain open year-round, virtually unheard of at the time of its opening.

Since 2008, over 100 million Euros have been invested in both renovation and tech innovation in order to preserve the Vier Jahreszeiten as a place of heritage and cultural significance.

And speaking of historical icons, there’s a Krigler parfumerie inside the hotel, featuring the complete collection of Albert Krigler’s scents, favoured by luminaries including Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Marlene Dietrich.

The century-old fragrance house, founded in 1904 by the Berlin-born Krigler and now run by his great-grandson Ben Krigler, reigns in the arena of royal scents.

Rooms

In addition to a well-appointed, beautifully-lit room, the luxurious and spacious bathroom is well equipped with Salvatore Ferragamo bathing products plus a variety of essential toiletries, right down to a mini-sized bottle of sunscreen.

Kempinski Hotels are highly service- and amenity-oriented (I’ve also experienced this at the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai). Dual sinks, a large glass-enclosed rain shower, and a Toto (Japanese) toilet are all located within the room’s wood and granite-tiled space.

A small book on the bedside table includes a list of enhanced amenities (e.g. lost luggage package with PJs, t-shirts, undergarments, etc.), board games, yoga mats, light sports equipment, and iPads to loan, as well as cosmetics, curling irons, and baby supplies, all available with a call to housekeeping.

A large wooden working desk with several wall outlets and a slender desk lamp, phone with an easy-to-read screen for contacting various hotel services, plus a comfortable chair are on one side of the room, while the king-sized bed with plush linens, embossed leather back panel behind the headboard, and several more tech outlets are on the other side. White walls are enhanced by natural wood throughout the space.

A selection of worldwide programming is available on the room’s flatscreen TV, from Qatar to the UK, as well as several Arabic channels and a full range of SKY SPORT options.

Drawer and closet pulls of silver and stitched leather also nicely compliment the wood.

[For EUR 20,000 per night, stay in one of three Presidential Suites]

A coffee-making station and mini bar can be found tucked on the left side, with a built-in luggage rack and closet space to the right, where robes, plush slippers, a safe, umbrella, and shoe-polishing accessories are stored.

Going Green

This property is gold-certified by the EarthCheck program, as it complies with sustainable hotel practices to monitor all energy, water, and waste management throughout. The Vier Jahreszeiten also partners with local food suppliers in its dining venues.

Spa, Pool, Gym

Rejuvenate at the Kempinski’s luxury day spa, with a full menu of “journey” options, ranging from facials to aromatherapy- and deep-tissue massages. A variety of body sculpting treatments, scrubs, and wraps nourish and detoxify, and for a mani or pedi, the spa has you covered as well.

Whether you’re up for a morning swim or a relaxing sauna session, Kempinski The Spa offers a welcoming atmosphere for unwinding after a busy day touring the city (or post-spa treatment). There’s a relaxation area with comfortable loungers and soothing music too. The indoor heated pool, steam room, and sauna are perfect ways to relax and to detox.

A full range of cardio machines are available for guest use inside the fitness centre. The hotel uses Technogym equipment that allows you to watch a film, listen to music or even a radio station while working out. Water and fruit are nice touches for a post-workout refresh.

[Turbot served with zucchini, pine nuts, sage, and saffron]

Dining

The Schwarzreiter Tagesbar offers Bavarian style dishes in a relaxed setting suitable for dining with friends and family as well as with business colleagues and clients.

This is also where a gourmet daily breakfast buffet is served. Savour Belgian waffles, a range of egg dishes made to order, fresh fruit, a room filled with mueslis and fresh juices, plus a wide selection of artisanal breads, pastries, hot dishes, and several gluten-free items.

The onsite Schwarzreiter Bar looks out onto the Maximilianstraße, and there’s a terrace for al fresco dining when the weather cooperates.

[Schwarzreiter’s curated cocktail and mocktail menu]

The adjacent Schwarzreiter Restaurant is a fine dining establishment, with both traditional and modern dishes created by Executive Chef Franz-Josef Unterlechner, inspired by his native Bavarian homeland.

[Monkfish with Fregola Sarda, ratatouille, tomato, and chili]

[Chocolate mousse, berries, and blueberry sorbet for a sweet finish]

From Thursday to Sunday, a full afternoon tea menu is offered inside the Nymphenburg Room (vegan menu per pre-order).

[Europe’s most beautiful living room features a stained glass dome depicting all four seasons]

The colourfully-domed ceiling of the Jahreszeiten Lobby, aka Munich’s most beautiful living room, serves as a relaxed space to linger over a coffee or tea, combining Chef Pâtisser Ian Baker’s artful creations with Tea Master Roberto Campanelli’s array of variations.

And for cigar aficionados, the Kempinski Cigar Lounge by Zechbauer creates a British gentlemen’s ambiance with a cigar selection created by Zechbauer himself, purveyor to the Bavarian royal family.

The room itself is stunning, with tobacco leaves pressed into the walls, their delicate veins visible via mounted lighting, and specially-designed tiny holes in both the ceiling and floor to absorb cigar odour for full enjoyment of the room!

Additional hotel services include a chilled bottle of bubbly in your room, pet allowances, airport transfer, early- or late-check in/out guaranteed rooms, and guest parking.

[Munich’s Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) on Marienplatz was built from 1867 to 1905]

Nearby Attractions

Sightseeing is a breeze with the hotel’s prime location: Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus is a few minutes away on foot, as is the Residenz, a gorgeous palace with stately gardens dating to the 14th century.

[Residenz Palace]

Culture lovers will enjoy close proximity to the National Theatre opera house. You also won’t want to miss the food delicacies, wine bars, and small beer garden at Viktualienmarkt, and further along, the Marienplaz, the city’s main central square. Eataly fans will be pleased to know that there’s a Munich location in the Schrannenhalle, right next to the Viktualienmarkt.

[High-end fashion house Lodenfrey, founded in 1842 by Johann Georg Frey]

Time your visit to arrive at 11 am, noon, or 5 pm, and you’ll be treated to the aural and visual delights of the two-storied glockenspiel high up in the Neues Rathaus. There’s always a crowd waiting, and a round of applause following the show.

[Frauenkirke]

The stunning late Gothic era Frauenkirke, instantly recognizable by its twin round-capped towers, offers great city views at 99 meters above ground (open daily from 10 am to 5 pm; Sundays and holidays, from 11:30 am).

[Stunning views at 99 meters inside the Frauenkirche’s south tower]

For some retail therapy, visit the high-end shops lining Maximilianstraße, where the hotel is located.

The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München is located at Maximilianstraße 17 in Munich.

Our stay was provided by Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München. Opinions, as always, remain our own. Non-watermarked images courtesy of the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München.