Holiday Inn Express Munich – Olympiapark by IHG

Overview

You know what? I was honestly surprised by this Holiday Inn Express near Olympiapark – and I mean that in the best way possible. When you’re booking something by Munich’s Olympic grounds, you sort of expect either overpriced tourist traps or tired business hotels that haven’t been updated since the ’80s. This place actually splits the difference pretty nicely.

The location is where it really shines, though not in the obvious way. Sure, you’re a stone’s throw from the Olympic Tower and all that (which is cool if you’re into that sort of thing), but what I really loved was how it sits in this quieter pocket of Schwabing-West. You can walk to the U-Bahn at Olympiazentrum in maybe eight minutes – I timed it because I’m nerdy like that – and suddenly you’re connected to everything without dealing with the chaos of staying right in Altstadt. The breakfast room overlooks some green space, which honestly makes those early mornings feel less brutal when you’re dealing with jet lag.

The rooms themselves are exactly what you’d expect from Holiday Inn Express, but done well. Nothing fancy, but the beds are actually comfortable (I’m picky about this), and they’ve got those blackout curtains that work – you know how some hotels have curtains that might as well be made of tissue paper? Not here. The bathrooms are compact but functional, with decent water pressure, though I will say the shower doors are a bit wonky. WiFi was solid throughout my stay, which matters when you’re trying to figure out train schedules or upload photos. What really got me was how quiet it stays at night. I mean, you’re not exactly in the countryside, but the sound insulation is better than you’d think. Even with some construction happening nearby during the day (Munich’s always building something), evenings were peaceful. The staff seemed genuinely helpful too – not just going through the motions, but actually offering suggestions about getting around the city. One guy at the front desk told me about this little bakery around the corner that I never would’ve found otherwise.

Here’s the thing though – if you’re someone who needs to be right in the thick of things, stumbling distance from Marienplatz and all the tourist spots, this might feel a bit removed. It’s not, really (twenty minutes by U-Bahn gets you anywhere), but there’s definitely more of a residential vibe in the immediate area. For me, that was perfect. I could explore the city during the day and come back to somewhere that felt less touristy and hectic. Plus, if you’re traveling in summer when Munich gets absolutely packed, having that bit of breathing room is honestly worth its weight in gold. The 8.6 rating makes sense – it’s not trying to be something it’s not, but what it does, it does really well.

Best hotels in Munich range from charming boutique properties near Marienplatz to elegant Bavarian-style hotels with stunning views of the Alps and historic city center.