View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Trip to Munich: Part II
After lunching at Dallmayr, we popped into a few of our favourite stores but frankly it was so cold we couldn’t wait to warm ourselves up with coffee at our preferred hotel, the Bayerischer Hof where we’ve stayed many times in the past 40 years.
Originally conceived by King Ludwig I, the Bayerischer Hof is one of Munich’s most legendary, historic, contemporary hotels and yet has an easy elegance. The iconic Blue Spa terrace, created by Andrée Putman, offers barbecues in the summer and a unique ice bar in the winter with splendid views across Munich. The three-Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier was created by interior designer Axel Vervoordt, who also devised the Cinema Lounge, the South and North Wings, and the unique Penthouse Garden Suite, which encompasses the eighth floor.
The Hotel is also home to its own nightclub, five restaurants, six bars, numerous shops and a theatre. The guestrooms are in a variety of styles, designed by famous architects. All top floor suites include breathtaking views, private spa access, terraces, or open fireplaces. The hotel has been voted in numerous rankings as one of the best grand hotels in Europe – it gets my vote!
How it all began
In 1839 On the wishes of His Majesty Ludwig I of Bavaria, the future “Reichsrat” and knight Joseph Anton von Maffei purchased the guesthouse on Promenadeplatz and commissioned the architect Friedrich von Gärtner to build a new hotel on the same site. In1897 Herrmann Volkhardt acquired the Hotel Bayerischer Hof for the princely sum of 2,850,000 gold marks and modernised it.
When the hotel was destroyed by aerial bombing during the night of 24-25 April, 1944, it looked like all hope was lost. But Hermann Volkhardt never lost faith in the future and proclaimed:
We shall rebuild the Bayerischer Hof to be more beautiful than ever before.
The following year, his son, Falk Volkhardt, made an incredible discovery beneath the ruins of the destroyed hotel – the Spiegelsaal (Mirror Hall) had survived almost intact. In October 1945, this was where he opened the first restaurant in the centre of Munich.
The Volkhardt family began the process of rebuilding the Bayerischer Hof.
In 1959 Falk Volkhardt took over, becoming the third generation of the founding family at the hotel. Within two years he had restored the hotel to being the dominant building on Promenadeplatz.
In 1969 Falk Volkhardt bought the adjacent Palais Montgelas and work started on the restoration of this protected monument and sumptuous classical building. In 1992 Falk Volkhardt, faced with declining health, and in keeping with the family tradition, handed over the Bayerischer Hof to his daughter Innegrit Volkhardt, the fourth generation. She became General Manager and Managing Partner in 1994.
She subsequently initiated and successfully completed a ten year plan for the complete renovation and modernisation of the hotel, particularly the refurbishment of the roof-top swimming pool and the accompanying expansion of the hotel with a large-scale health and fitness centre.
A slew of 5* hotels have recently opened in Munich but none are so ideally placed as this one which will remain our fave.
View from the Back 
Looks fabulous! And I trust you’ve eaten at that Michelin 3-star restaurant?
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I have indeed, Annie.
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I want an enclosed pool like that bottom picture for my mansion when I’m rich and famous. 😀
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😎
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Not made it to Munich yet but hopefully in 2023!
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It’s one of my fave cities
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Wow what a history and amazing how much survived. A very grand building.
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Indeed
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Another beauty.
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Thanks
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Looks amazing Sheree and a great history lesson too 😊
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Thanks Wayne
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A wonderful achievement
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Indeed Derrick
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Looks like a great spot to stay! Love all the old pictures too
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Thanks Lyssy
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Nice! Super interesting. 🙂
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Not really Theresa as we didn’t do too much as it was so cold. In any event, we know Munich really well.
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