Simon Wittenberg visits the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

The Sofitel Munich Bayerpost hotel is located in the heart of Germany’s Bavarian capital and sits within the walls of the former state post office or “Königliche-Bayerische Post” on Bayerstrasse.

Opened nearly ten years ago, this luxury five-star property has been cleverly designed so that the beautiful Italian Renaissance-style exterior architecture fuses discretely with the über-modern interior.

The hotel houses a total of 339 rooms and 57 suites sporting different styles of décor, with the top floor offering stunning vistas overlooking the Alps. We stayed in one of the sizeable luxury rooms (they sit above the Standard and Superior categories) on the seventh floor which was refurbished in 2013. These rooms which look out over the neighbouring railway station, the city or the interior glass centre of the hotel, are tastefully decorated thanks to Harold Klein’s special touch. Ours, which had views of the former, was extremely spacious and heavily sound-proofed, and came with a writing desk, small sofa, complimentary Nespresso coffee machine and flatscreen TV. For added guest convenience, there is free Wi-Fi, a “Do not disturb” switch and temperature control right next to the bed, just a few examples of the many thoughtful touches.

The ensuite natural stone bathroom is equally as roomy and the sink is lined with a generous selection of nicely scented Hermès toiletries and there is even a yellow rubber duck sitting on the flannels, such is the attention to detail. There is a plethora of hand and bath towels as well as a make-up mirror and wall-mounted volume controls for those who like to be serenaded by music when washing or getting ready to go out. The walk-in shower, which is separated from the toilet by a narrow wall, features a ceiling mounted and handheld head, and the stone bench sitting within the cubicle entices you to enjoy the power of the water.

For guests looking to combine their stay with some treatments or physical exercise, then the Sofitel Munich’s 570 square metre SoSPA is the place to be. Dimly lit and featuring dark stone walls, this haven of relaxation opens every day at 6.30am and comes with a swirling pool and therapeutic counter current system. In addition to the sauna, there is a large steam room and a comprehensive treatment menu (ranging from 30 to 90 minutes) for those wanting some extra health and beauty indulgence during their stay.

Come the evening meal, and there is only one main eatery named ‘Délice La Brasserie’, which sits adjacent to the reception area, as the main three-floor à la carte restaurant, ‘Schwarz & Weiz’, is now used only for breakfast. The modern ‘Délice La Brasserie’ is themed around French cuisine coupled with an informal ambiance, and the menu offers a range of fish, salads and meat. The in-room guide explains that the chefs at Sofitel Munich cook with passion and imagination, and this is clearly evident. I tried the whole roasted Sole accompanied by leaf spinach, a whole piece of roasted garlic and “La Ratte” potatoes which boast a unique nutty flavour. The moist texture of the fish which lifted off the bone with ease, was simply divine and the presentation was just as exquisite. My guests sampled the Rosenberg Prawns which sat on a bed of Provençal vegetables such as peppers, spring onion and green beans. It all disappeared in a very short space of time thanks to it being so enjoyable. Our meal was nicely paired with a German 2012 Sauvignon Blanc “Sonnenstuck” Blanckenhorn (€49) from the wine list which features a good selection spanning a number of countries such as France and Austria.

For visitors from the Middle East, the Sofitel Munich offers an additional in-room dining menu (from 12 noon to 1am) with dishes such as Fattoush (mixed salad with olives) and Alexandria Shrimps prepared by the property’s very own Arabic chef, Mohammed Nabelsi.
For dessert, the selection of sweets on offer is very limited, but they are nonetheless hard to resist. We tried the tarte fin aux pommes (apple tart) which came with vanilla ice cream and redcurrants, a Crème Brulée decorated with a biscotti and a tarte de fruit saisonnier (fruit tart). All were superb and finished off the meal beautifully. Cheese lovers have the option of a French platter featuring produce from “Tolzer Kasladen”, and there is also a good choice of beverages for those simply wanting a hot drink before retiring to the hotel’s “ISARBAR” for a signature cocktail or glass of champagne.

Upon returning to your room, you are greeted by a very relaxed ambiance courtesy of some carefully selected lighting, mellow classical music from the BOSE Wave sound system and iPod docking station, slippers which have been neatly aligned next to the king-sized bed and two heart-shaped Lindt chocolates on the bedside tables. This simply invites you to glide under the very comfortable soft duvet and white crisp sheets.

For early risers or for those who wish to set off early to explore Germany’s “Capital of Culture”, breakfast (at an additional cost of €35 per person) in the main restaurant starts at 6am on weekdays and half an hour later on Saturday and Sunday. The first meal of the day at Sofitel Munich is more than enough to set you up for some energetic sightseeing. On the mouth-watering and extensive buffet, there is everything from fresh passion fruit to olives to cheeses. This is complemented by a healthy selection of breads and a chef cooking fresh eggs and omelettes according to the desires of individual guests.

The Sofitel Munich really has everything you need in a luxury hotel – a great central location, excellent facilities and service, with superb accommodation and cuisine to match. It is certainly a property which should be high up on your list when looking to explore this picturesque city.

Daily rates vary depending on the time of the year and events in Munich, but expect to pay around €270 per night for a luxury room. Standard rooms start from around €110.

For further information or to make a reservation, visit www.sofitel-munich.com.