The best accommodations Bavaria

Budget & Tips

Bavaria has a wide range of hotels. From small family-run guesthouses to large luxury hotels. Standards are high, but so are prices! The price of your accommodation often includes a Kurtaxewhich often entitles you to discounts at museums and on public transport. Ask your tourist office or hotel for advice. Kurtaxe varies from city to city. The average is €2 per person per night. It is lower for guests on business trips. For accommodation in major cities, it is often difficult to find reasonably priced establishments. You should expect to pay at least €50 or €60 for a double room. Rooms without bathrooms are becoming increasingly rare.

Hôtelgarni. This name simply means that it's a hotel without gastronomic service. Exception: breakfast, drinks and sometimes snacks.

Chambres d'hôtes (orFremdenzimmer) are very common in popular tourist areas. Prices vary according to comfort, location... As a general rule, you should be aware that owners are a little reluctant to rent a room for just one night. On the other hand, for stays of a week or more, the owner will often offer more attractive rates than those advertised in the brochures. This type of accommodation is very pleasant and convivial, as it allows you to live at the pace of the locals and observe their way of life and habits. In the morning, breakfast in the company of your hosts.

Guesthouses. The transitional solution between a hotel and a private room. A small but important detail (!), the cost of a night in a guesthouse is often much lower than in a hotel. Generally speaking, guesthouses retain a more traditional and friendly feel. Gasthaus & Gasthof: these are common names for guesthouses or small hotels, often with a restaurant on the first floor.

Youth hostel (Jugendherberge). These are very easy to find in Bavaria, as they can be found in almost every town. This is sometimes the cheapest option, especially in the larger cities where accommodation is often prohibitively expensive. A night in a dormitory with breakfast costs between €20 and €25. Very cosmopolitan, youth hostels are often pleasant places, full of life. In less-touristy regions, a small room with a local is often worth the same price, but with the added bonus of peace and quiet!

Camping. Unsurprisingly, this is the most economical form of accommodation, and Bavaria is relatively well endowed in this respect. The only downside is getting around. It's best to have your own vehicle, as campsites are often out of the way and not always served by local buses. As everywhere, comfort varies greatly from one address to another. For a stay in July and August, it's best to book well in advance. Many campsites also close in winter. Remember: camping in the wild is strictly forbidden.

Vacation apartments. Visit Ferienwohnungen are made available to holidaymakers by private individuals and include all comforts and facilities: kitchen, bathroom, etc. As a general rule, the minimum stay is three days. This can be a very advantageous solution for a family or group trip. Another advantage: independence. No timetables to adhere to, just complete freedom! Reservations are essential for Easter, July and August, and Christmas.

To be booked

In September and October, if you're planning to go to Munich for the Oktoberfest, you'll need to book well in advance. For a skiing holiday in the south of the Land, it's also advisable to book your accommodation well in advance.

What's very local

It's not uncommon to find a copy of the Bible or New Testament on your bedside table (or in its drawer).

In double rooms, couples will often find a bed with two side-by-side mattresses and two single comforters.

A number of hotels in Bavaria have a spa and relaxation area where you can take a dip in the pool and a few trips to the sauna. The (naturist!) sauna culture is much more widespread in Bavaria and Germany than among our French-speaking neighbors. In luxury hotels, a wellness area is almost always present.

For food lovers

Breakfast is often served as an all-you-can-eat buffet, so you can start the day with a full stomach. Some hotel rooms are equipped with (silent) mini-fridges with a few drinks and a small snack: perfect for a late-night snack. The contents of these fridges are often available at extra cost.

Smokers

All Bavarian hotels are non-smoking.

Tourist traps

Some double room prices are given "per person". You'll need to multiply the amount by two to get the real price per night. To help you find your way around, here are the abbreviations used in the German hotel industry:

EZ = Einzelzimmer = single room

DZ = Doppelzimmer = double room

DZ pro Pers./Nacht = Doppelzimmer pro Person pro Nacht = double room per person per night.