Rocco Forte's The Charles Hotel presents the Women's Guide to the Oktoberfest

Women now account for more than 50 per cent of attendees at Munich’s infamous Oktoberfest.  Rocco Forte’s The Charles hotel in Munich has put together a guide for females to help them navigate the festival and understand the etiquette - from the dress code, to the flirting know-how as well as inside knowledge on how to beat the queues.

Drink:  The only authentic drink at the Oktoberfest, even for women, is beer.  But caution is advised - the typical Munich festival beer, specially brewed for Oktoberfest has a higher alcohol percentage than average.  When drinking with others it is polite to clink your glasses, while looking the person in the eyes, and say “Prost”.

Dress code: The dress code at the Oktoberfest is not strict, however T-Shirts printed with “I survived Oktoberfest” scream ‘tourist’.   It is considered far more attractive to wear a traditional costume.  That means for women a “Dirndl”. These pretty Bavarian dresses come in many colours with varying skirt lengths.  (See picture for a typical Dirndl).

 A “no go” in combination with a Dirndl are trainers.   High heels are a little better, but with the amount of walking from tent to roller-coaster to almond stall, they are not the most practical choice. The best and most elegant choice is a pair of flat pumps.

Flirting:  The highly sociable Oktoberfest attracts visitors from across the world. The best weekend for flirting is the second Wiesn as the suave Italians jet in for the weekend.  The two day period has even been named the ‘Italian Weekend’. 

There is a secret code to flirting, recognised by many regular visitors.  For women, if you tie the bow of your Dirndl skirt on the left hand side it tells others you are single. On the right hand-side and men will (hopefully) understand that you are not seeking any advances.   If given a gingerbread heart you can be assured that you have an admirer.

Dancing:  Dancing to live folk music is a very popular pastime at the festival.   However, beware - swinging your hips in the aisles is forbidden (no space for the beer attendants).  The only place to dance is on your seat bench, whilst avoiding the temptation to hop onto the tables (also banned).
Food:   Like beer, food is bountiful. From roasted almonds, to candy floss, fried sausages and ‘mackerel on a stick’.  Most popular is ‘Hendel’ grilled chicken, served with a large pretzel.  It is best to forget all notions of weight-watching whilst at the Oktoberfest:  a pretzel itself contains almost 500 calories. A good excuse for even more dancing.

Beating the queues:   It is not unusual for beer tents to close by lunchtime when they have reached maximum capacity.  Those who do not have reservations can sometimes have a long wait.  The best way to beat the queues is to go to the back or the sides of the tent where the queues are much shorter.  Wide smiles also work well.  Never offer money at the door - it will ensure they stay closed.  Tipping the waiters and waitresses is highly recommended however and will guarantee you quick service for the next round of drinks.

Oktoberfest Package from Rocco Forte’s The Charles Hotel, Munich

During this year’s Oktoberfest from September 17 to October 4, The Charles Hotel is offering an exciting package to help festival goers get in to the spirit of the festival.

As part of the package, The Charles Hotel has collaborated with Schatzi Dirndl, a well-known designer of Bavarian costumes for women, to create a complimentary ‘dirndl’ – a typical Bavarian costume for each female guest. Having trained at the Esmod international fashion school, Katharina Lukacs, Founder of Schatzi Dirndl blends the classic national costume with luminous colour, playful embroidery and Swarovski jewels, resulting in top quality, handmade pieces so you can feel like a true local at Oktoberfest.

The Charles Hotel’s Oktoberfest package starts from 1,260 Euros for two nights and includes:
• Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast (for two sharing)
• One personalised dirndl by Schatzi Dirndl
• Transfers to and from Schatzi Dirndl for fitting
• Bavarian gift in room upon arrival
• Welcome drink

To book visit: www.roccofortehotels.com or telephone: +49 895 445 550 (UK free phone: 00800 7666 6667)

Added Oktoberfest extras allow guests to prepare for - or recover from - their party marathon at the Charles Hotel’s spa with a selection of pre - and post festival treatments. Women can indulge in hair and make-up sessions followed the next day by a rejuvenating galvanic facial while men getting ready for their day at the ‘Wiesn’ can enjoy a tuning facial and relax with a Hangover massage the day after.

To further highlight this important fixture on Munich’s annual calendar of events, the hotel has also put together a ‘Wiesn Warm-Up Spa Treatment’, using hops, malt and yeast. Guests can indulge with a beer footbath, a hops and salt scrub and a revitalising back-and foot massage, followed by a refreshing traditional Bavarian wheat beer.

Before approaching the event itself, guests can visit the hotel’s ‘Wiesn Warm-Up’, an authentic stall on the terrace of Restaurant Davvero, will be offering much-loved Bavarian delicacies such as pretzels, Aperol Spritz and champagne served in small mugs, Obazda cheese and of course, plenty of beer on tap.

To make a reservation at the Spa or restaurant visit: www.thecharleshotel.com or telephone: +49 89 544 5550.

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Contact:
Rocco Forte Hotels Press Office
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 766 3137
Email: pressinformation@roccofortehotels.com