Classy and elegant Munich hotel oozing of discreet luxury

Cortiina / Munich / Germany

One of my go-to places for hotel inspiration is Monocle. Many of my favorite hotels have been found either in the Monocle magazine or in one of their many travel guides and books. And it is funny that few other hotels I have ever stayed at feels more Monocle than this one. If Monocle decided to create a city hotel, I am sure it would look something like this.

The hotel I am referring to is Cortiina (no, it isn’t a typo. It is supposed to be with two ”ii”), located in the old part of Munich, Germany. A town that many locals (or maybe it is only the tourist board) jokingly refers to as Italy’s northernmost city.

The 75-key Cortiina Hotel is located on quiet side street spread over three buildings. In a way the location can’t be more central than this. The interior oozes of a subtle kind of elegance. I am not only a hotel fanatic but also a bag lover and if this hotel was a bag, it would be a Bottega Veneta. None of that ”in-your-face” exaggerated luxurious eleganza but a more kind of discreet and classy design with hushed tones, herringbone floors and chunky, solid furniture.

The hotel first opened its doors back in 2001 by Rudi Kull and Albert Weinzierl. This is the first hotel among their ever growing hospitality catalogue. One of their others business they own is Bar Centrale, an genuinely Italian café and bar that is located right across the street from the hotel and is must for their delicious coffee and fresh Aperol Spritz.

The hotel is located on a quiet side street, in the centre of downtown Munich. You can’t stay more centrally than this.

The bar/restaurant where you can come for a glass of wine in the evenings. I love the chunky wooden chairs and the herringbone floors.

My room felt elegant and luxurious but in a very subtle and discreet way.

Love the printed wall paper on the wall behind the bed.

It always makes me happy to find some quality magazines on display in my room.

What first looks like a row of wardrobe doors is actually a hidden window to the bathroom.

A classy hotel needs classy bathroom products. London based skincare brand, Ren fits well with the profile of the hotel.

On the ground floor, across the courtyard you’ll find the hotel gym. One of the best hotel gyms I have ever seen.

The Germans sure know how to do breakfast. Rich and hearty with a huge selection…

…and of course accompanied by a real cappuccino. This isn’t Italy’s northernmost town for nothing.

Downtown Munich is beautiful. Marienplatz, the main square, is literally around the corner from the hotel.

One of my favorite places in Munich is the Englischer Garten, the world’s largest city park.

So much fun to look at the surfers trying to master the waves in the Englischer Garten.

Across the road from the hotel is one of the best cafés in town (actually owned by the same people as the hotel).

After walking around town for hours I can recommend the brunch at Bar Centrale. A perfect way to fill up the tank before you head back out again.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are into subtlety. If your thing is to stay in classy urban hotels that doesn’t scream of luxury but where there is more of a subtle scent of it and you like attentive service, then I am sure you will not be disappointed when staying at the Cortiina.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the service. I have stayed at so many hotels where you, if you arrive at let’s say 14:00 are asked to wait or to pay for early check in. At Cortiina I arrived at 9:00 (AM just to underline for my non-European readers) and they managed to find me a room so I could check in directly. And they gave me a discount voucher if I wanted to go across the street to their Italian café for a breakfast/brunch. That my friends, is great service.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to bring comfy walking shoes. Some cities are just made for walking and Munich is one of them. To stroll through the old parts of town, north through leafy Englischer Garten and watch the surfers take on the waves created by the powerful Isar river. Continue west to hipster haven Maxvorstadt for some shopping and people watching before you close the loop back to the old town for a beer and a pretzel at one of the countless outdoor terraces.

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