Charming Hotel Torbrau has been welcoming guests to Munich since 1490.  The oldest hotel in town, the Torbrau provides an excellent base from which to study and contrast the Germany of yesteryear with that of today.  As the country’s third-largest city, Munich has a lot to offer for a pre- or post-cruise hotel, all in one concentrated area.  Hotel Torbrau has all the modern conveniences of a new property but is located within a few minutes walk of the historic lsartor, one of four main gates of the medieval city wall.

Traveling with Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) for the first time, we were impressed upon arrival at the hotel.  On hand to greet us, Gabe, our Hungarian A&K guide for the duration of the adventure, who had already checked us in to the Torbrau, and was standing by with welcome information and an updated itinerary of our journey.

 

Included in 4-star Hotel Torbrau rates, a deluxe breakfast buffet with in the hotel’s dining room with a nice selection of light or hearty fare.  Guests can choose to dine inside or out, on a terrace overlooking the bustling city below.

 

Rooms are nicely appointed with a king size bed, sitting area, generously sized-desk, flat-screen TV with a great many channels in English, electronic safe, cedar closet with abundant hangars and an ironing board/iron on request.  Electrical plug-ins are all European style, so bring that plug adapter.   Direct dial phone calls to the United States can be made from the hotel room but at a rate our A&K guide advised would make us better off using our cell phones.

 

Bath products include Hotel Torbrau’s branded toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, lotion, no conditioner), a generously-sized shower and American style plumbing for those who struggle with the whole idea of water closets or other interesting plumbing arrangements found in Europe.

At just 90-rooms, service is personal and one of those places where guests drop their key at the 24-hour front desk when leaving the property then pick it back up when returning.  For the most part, they know who you are and have the key ready before reaching the desk.  I always take a photo of the room number and make it the home page view of my smartphone though for quick reference; normally so I remember where my cabin is on the cruise ship but also helpful when having to recall that information for the front desk clerk.

Also nicely located, on-property restaurant Schapeau, open for lunch, dinner or just a little time at the sidewalk cafe located on street level for wine and light fare.

Today, as in the first days of the hotel more than 500 years ago, the Kirchlechner family runs a first-class operation with staff members highly committed to being sure guests enjoy their stay.   As a pre- or post-cruise extension, we give this property a solid recommendation, advising a two or three day stay to fully enjoy the area and all it has to offer.