Review: Rosewood Munich – Where Bavarian Grandeur Meets Contemporary Luxury

Faye Bradley
Oct 4
4 min read

Updated: Oct 20

MUNICH

Munich is a city of contrasts: biergartens and BMWs, rococo churches and cutting-edge galleries. It’s fitting, then, that Rosewood’s first German property occupies two of the Bavarian capital’s most storied addresses — a former aristocratic residence, Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, and the onetime headquarters of the Bavarian State Bank. Just steps from Marienplatz, the city’s historic square, Rosewood Munich strikes an elegant balance between baroque splendour and the kind of polished, contemporary luxury that makes it equally suited to leisure travellers and business executives on the move. What's more, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, now flies directly to Munich four times a week, making the journey to Europe effortless.

All images are courtesy of Faye Bradley | CSP Times

Location & Setting

Opened in 2023, Rosewood Munich is located on Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße, right in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town). From here, Munich’s treasures are at your doorstep: the Frauenkirche’s twin domes, the resplendent Residenz palace complex, and the city’s open-air Viktualienmarkt, all within a short stroll.

Standing in the lobby beneath vaulted ceilings and frescoes preserved from the bank’s heyday, you sense the layers of history embedded in the building. Staff tell us how former bank employees and clients often stop by to reminisce, swapping stories of fortunes made and lost beneath these gilded arches. That “living history” element sets Rosewood Munich apart.

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Accommodation

My Premier Room — spacious at 37 square meters (398 square feet) — featured a king-size bed dressed in crisp linens (including a personalised pillow case with my initials), which dominated the space. At the same time, the Bavarian flourishes included carved wooden accents, warm natural tones inspired by the Alps, and an interplay of baroque-style details with modern furnishings, thanks to the design firm Tara Bernerd & Partners.

The bathroom, clad in veined stone, was stocked with plush amenities and ample counter space, a godsend for anyone who travels with more than one cosmetics bag.

Elsewhere in the hotel, other categories across its 73 guestrooms and 59 suites reveal the property’s architectural quirks. Deluxe Rooms, at just over 35 square metres, are cocoon-like, ideal for couples who want intimacy and style without sacrificing amenities. The Grand Premier Rooms, larger still, are distinguished by high ceilings and unique layouts dictated by the eccentricities of the baroque structure. Suites, which range from 56 to 125 square meters, echo the atmosphere of a private residence. These spaces feature separate living areas, restored stucco ceilings, original parquet flooring, and large windows that frame Munich like a painting.

For those in search of something extraordinary, Rosewood Munich’s five signature “houses” redefine what a suite can be. Each named after Bavarian royalty, they offer multi-bedroom living with singular features: the König Maximilian House boasts a vaulted ceiling and central fireplace, while the Prinzessin Ferdinande House is linked by a suspended glass bridge that hovers like a secret perch above the city. Each house comes with bespoke Nymphenburg crockery and butler service, subtle touches that recall aristocratic heritage while delivering modern ease.

Wellness: Asaya Spa

Rosewood Munich is home to Germany’s first Asaya® Spa, and it’s a showpiece. Spanning 1,300 square metres over two floors, the spa is designed around Rosewood’s five pillars of wellness: emotional balance, fitness and nutrition, physical therapies, skin health, and community engagement. I opted for a targeted back and foot massage, which was equal parts therapy and indulgence — the therapist worked intuitively, coaxing away the knots of city-walking and jet lag. Facilities include an expansive indoor swimming pool that feels almost Roman in scale, dual saunas, an herbal steam room, and a Technogym-equipped fitness studio. The atmosphere is serene, but what impressed me most was the holistic approach: treatments incorporate cult skincare brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm and EviDenS de Beauté, alongside rituals inspired by Alpine traditions.

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Facilities & Public Spaces

Beyond the spa, Rosewood Munich offers courtyards that feel like secret gardens in the city center. The Palaishof, in particular, is a focal point for socialising, echoing Munich’s tradition of inner courtyards as oases of community. Meeting spaces — over 600 square meters in total — include a grand ballroom with gilded details preserved using centuries-old restoration techniques. These venues make the hotel not only a leisure sanctuary but also a serious business destination, capable of hosting everything from discreet board meetings to glittering galas.

Dining & Drinking

Dining here is a Bavarian affair with a cosmopolitan polish. At Brasserie Cuvilliés, I tucked into a perfectly golden schnitzel, paired with a dry, mineral-forward Riesling that reminded me why Germany’s vineyards deserve more global acclaim. The menu also celebrates Alpine traditions with modern flair: expect dishes like Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) and spinach dumplings, all made with ingredients sourced from across the Alpine region. Bar Montez, meanwhile, channels the spirit of the 1920s with live jazz, inventive cocktails, and a stained-glass installation inspired by Munich’s jazz scene. It’s sultry, a little decadent, and very much in keeping with the building’s layered past.

The Verdict

Of course, staying in the Old Town makes sightseeing effortless. Over the course of a few days, I wandered from Gothic spires to rococo churches, from grand boulevards lined with designer boutiques to quiet alleys brimming with history. Every evening, returning to Rosewood felt like stepping into a sanctuary — one where the noise of the city receded, replaced by the hush of thick carpets, attentive staff, and the comforting ritual of a nightcap in the bar. Whether you’re here for a board meeting, a wellness retreat, or simply to savour schnitzel and Riesling between museum visits, Rosewood Munich delivers with wit, warmth, and a palpable sense of place.

Good for: Business travellers who want luxury with soul, wellness seekers drawn to holistic spa offerings, and culture lovers eager to immerse themselves in Munich’s historic heart.