Matteo loves connecting people with the real Munich - its stories, hidden corners, and local spirit. As a concierge, he turns curiosity and culture into unforgettable experiences for every guest.
My Favourites:
1. Kloster Andechs
"A peaceful monastery perched above Lake Ammersee, perfect for a day of walking, history, and enjoying beer brewed by the monks themselves."
2. Haidhausen
"A charming historic quarter with quaint streets, antique shops, and cosy cafés - a beautiful glimpse of how Munich once looked."
3. Music at the Chinese Tower
"On sunny mornings, the sound of brass bands playing in the English Garden captures Munich’s joyful, traditional spirit."
4. Spicery
"An exceptional Thai restaurant at Weissenburger Platz, serving authentic dishes full of flavour."
5. Maibaum
"A centuries-old Bavarian tradition where villages compete to raise (and sometimes steal!) maypoles - a fun and very local celebration of community and craftsmanship."
City life meets the great outdoors
What I love about Munich is how close it is to nature. Within 40 minutes you can be at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, enjoying a hike, swimming in a mountain lake, or skiing in winter. It’s a way of life here – everyone knows how to ski, myself included, and during the winter many guests combine a city break with time on the slopes.
Kloster Andechs is the perfect escape under an hour’s drive from our hotel. Originally a 12th-century castle, it became a Benedictine monastery in the 15th century. Today, visitors come to admire its hilltop setting above Lake Ammersee, explore the abbey, and sample the beer still brewed by the monks since 1455.
A walk through history
For a glimpse of a very different side of Munich, I recommend exploring Haidhausen, just to the east of the city centre. In the 19th century it was home to labourers living in tiny houses that sometimes held three families at once. Walking along Preysingstraße today, you’ll still see these small houses – now beautifully preserved – offering a sense of how Munich once looked. Alongside them you’ll find antique shops, cosy cafés, and elegant wine bars. On a sunny morning, wandering through Haidhausen feels like stepping back in time.
Sounds of Munich
One of my favourite things about Munich is its soundtrack. On Sunday mornings, I often start the day with the sound of brass bands playing in the English Garden by the Chinese Tower. It’s a joyful, unmistakably Bavarian sound that connects you to the countryside, even in the middle of a big city.
Then there are the church bells – ringing every 15 minutes. It’s a small detail, but it makes Munich feel warm and familiar, and always like home to me.
Italy's northernmost city
There’s a saying that Munich is the most northern city of Italy - and it’s true. The Bavarian capital has long embraced a Mediterranean way of life: from cafés serving perfect espresso to trattorias full of warmth and laughter, the city’s love for Italian art, architecture, and food is everywhere you look. Because of its proximity to Italy, Munich’s Italian community is the oldest foreign community in the city. Italian workers who arrived in the 1960s and 70s brought their language, culture, and above all, their food. Munich is home to nearly 800 Italian restaurants, from historic trattorias to contemporary enotecas – but I always recommend our restaurant Florio, a restaurant that truly captures the generosity and authenticity of Italian dining.
Beyond Bavarian cuisine
Munich is often associated with beer and pretzels, but it also has an incredible international food scene. Thanks to influences from Vietnam and Thailand, the city is now home to some of the best Asian restaurants in Central Europe.
One of my absolute favourites is Spicery, located at Weissenburger Platz. It has consistently ranked among Germany’s best Thai restaurants for years, and every dish is authentic, fresh, and full of flavour.
Maibaum - Munich's maypoles
One of the most unique Bavarian traditions is the Maibaumaufstellen – the raising of beautifully decorated maypoles, dating back to the 16th century. Each pole is adorned with colourful shields representing different local crafts, from blacksmithing to glassblowing, celebrating the skills and history of the community. But there’s also a playful side to the tradition: neighbouring villages – and even hotels or beer gardens – will “steal” each other’s maypoles in the weeks before the festival, hosted each year on the 1st of May. It’s a lighthearted competition, very Bavarian in spirit, and a wonderful way to see how history and humour are intertwined in Munich’s culture.
Set within the verdant Lenbachgärten quarter and close to the historic Königsplatz, the effortlessly elegant Charles Hotel in Munich is where contemporary style meets traditional Bavarian hospitality.
Phone Number*
Address
Sophienstrasse 28
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich
Set within the verdant Lenbachgärten quarter and close to the historic Königsplatz, the effortlessly elegant Charles Hotel in Munich is where contemporary style meets traditional Bavarian hospitality.
Phone Number*
Address
Sophienstrasse 28
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich
Set within the verdant Lenbachgärten quarter and close to the historic Königsplatz, the effortlessly elegant Charles Hotel in Munich is where contemporary style meets traditional Bavarian hospitality.
Phone Number*
Address
Sophienstrasse 28
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich
80333 Munich, Germany
Munich