Eurostars Hotels – Gran Central

The Eurostars Grand Central hotel is situated in a long, modern building with a flat black facade finished in a mosaic of rectangular windows. The lobby floor gently mimics the exterior, with rectangular tiling in black and white. Off to the side, cozy, modern sitting areas are marked by soft shag carpets, lush velvety sofas, and modern molded chairs. For the most part, though, decor throughout maintains a minimalistic, modern vibe with a black and white color palette occasionally accented in lavender, like the cup-shaped chairs in the bar. The look can verge on the generic -- it's a chain hotel, after all -- but the property is well-maintained and comfortable. The hotel draws a wide range of guests, from business travelers to tourists, including couples heading to Oktoberfest and families looking for extra space. Tourists in town to see Munich attractions, though, might feel a bit far from the hustle and bustle of Old Town

Eurostars Grand Central is located in a largely industrial area outside the city center. While guests can walk to the edge of Old Town or to Theresienwiese, the hub of Oktoberfest activities, in about 15 minutes, the immediate neighborhood is fairly empty. Mercifully, it does have a few stray restaurants, like the popular Augustiner-Keller restaurant and beer garden, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Another saving grace: The hotel is well-connected to local sights via public transit. The Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station is just a three-minute walk from the hotel, and there's a tram stop even closer. Using public transportation, guests can get from the hotel to Marienplatz, a city square in the heart of old town, in as little as nine minutes, and the station also offers easy access to Munich Central Station (six minutes) and Munich International Airport (46 minutes).

Rooms are spacious by European standards (even entry-level Doubles are 300 square feet), with decor that's clean and contemporary. Highlights include floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and chic black bathrooms with shimmering mosaic tiled accents, basin sinks, separate toilet vestibules, and walk-in showers or combination showers and tubs. Decor is standard from room-to-room, with a neutral color palette that pairs dark wood with distinctive white leathery headboards and accent walls, black pedestal chairs, and white bedding finished with a pop of color in orange or purple.

All rooms have work desks, air-conditioning, and safes, plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles for coffee and tea, and nicely stocked minibars. Bathrooms have phones, hairdryers, and free toiletries. Upgraded accommodations -- which include an enormous Presidential Suite measuring over 900 square feet -- add bonuses like bathrobes, separate dining or sitting areas, furnished balconies, and other extras. Views are of the inner courtyard or street and surrounding office buildings. 

Features here do a good job of covering what's expected from the dependable Eurostars chain, including business and wellness facilities. There's a nice restaurant with a wine menu, though dinner is only offered on weekday evenings and there's no lunch service. The daily breakfast buffet features a nice spread of standard fare and is sometimes served to live, classic music accompaniment -- but breakfast doesn't come standard with the room rate. The hotel also has a modern bar, though some guests find it a bit pricey, and a small patio with outdoor seating. Room service is available into the evening. 

Wellness facilities aren't extensive or huge, but they're modern, featuring a sauna, shower facilities, a lounging area with chairs, a small gym, and an indoor pool. The gym has a few pieces of modern cardio equipment, plus free weights. The top-level, mosaic-tiled pool is small but it's well-maintained and features an integrated whirlpool. Guests can also lounge on the rooftop in good weather.

For business guests, the hotel has a range of meeting and event rooms, audiovisual equipment, and a small "business center" with two computer workstations. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. For guests traveling with children, cribs are available, and there's a small playground in the courtyard. Staff offer concierge services including ticket assistance, luggage storage, and laundry service. Covered parking is available for a fee (some packages include it); guests also report finding some free street parking nearby, but it's limited.