Review Summary
MEININGER Hotel Munich Zentrum is a budget hotel in Munich with a convenient location between Munich Central Station, Hackerbrücke, and ZOB Munich. I paid about 19.50 euros per night for a bed in a shared room. Breakfast cost 12.90 euros per person. With breakfast included, one night in a shared room came to about 32.40 euros. Private rooms and family rooms were more expensive depending on the travel date. A two-night booking once showed a charge of about 153 euros on the card, so payment details need to be checked carefully. The location and price are the strongest points of this hotel. Room cleanliness, soundproofing, cooling, and bathroom condition were much less reliable. Some beds were comfortable, while others creaked badly or had missing pillows. Breakfast was acceptable for 12.90 euros, but the selection was limited and not always well managed. This hotel works for a short Munich trip, Oktoberfest, or a night before a train or bus journey. I do not recommend it for a quiet and clean hotel stay.
Price and Payment
Room Price
The main reason to choose MEININGER Hotel Munich Zentrum is the price. I paid about 19.50 euros per night for a bed in a shared room. For Munich, and especially for a location near Hackerbrücke, that is a low price. If the plan is just to sleep and leave early the next day, the price makes sense.
For a bed in a 4-bed female dorm, the price was also low. With breakfast, I paid about 32.40 euros per night. That was about 19.50 euros for the bed and 12.90 euros for breakfast. Private rooms and family rooms were higher, especially during busy travel periods. A two-night booking once showed a card charge of about 153 euros, so I always check the date, room type, number of guests, and payment details carefully at this hotel.
Breakfast and Extra Costs
Breakfast cost 12.90 euros per person. For a budget hotel in Munich, the price was acceptable. It was convenient when I wanted to eat quickly before heading out. Still, there was no kettle, refrigerator, free coffee, or tea in the room.
Drinks had to be bought from the lobby, bar, or vending machine. A small bottle of water felt expensive. Luggage storage was not always free and simple either. If you arrive before check-in or leave Munich later after check-out, you may need to pay for a locker.
Card Payment and Booking Check
Card payment was the easiest option. I booked online and paid either in advance or on site depending on the booking condition. At check-in, the staff checked the name, passport, and reservation. Payment itself was not difficult, but the booking details needed careful checking.
A shared room request was not always handled correctly. Once, the number of assigned beds did not match the number of people. I recommend checking the room type, bed count, breakfast, and key cards immediately at check-in.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in and Waiting Time
Check-in was available from around 3 p.m. On good days, it was quick. The staff checked the ID and reservation, handed over the key card, and I could go straight to the room. On another day, the room was not ready because of cleaning, and I had to wait about 30 minutes longer.
English communication usually worked well. German communication depended on the staff member. Simple questions were fine, but booking issues and room problems took longer to explain. If you prefer German service in Germany, this can be disappointing.
Key Card and Room Assignment
The key card did not always work reliably. I had to return to reception after it failed to open the room door. For groups or families, this is annoying because everyone needs a working card.
Room assignment also matters. Rooms facing the road are noisy. If you want to sleep better, ask for a room away from the main road at check-in. It is not guaranteed, but it is worth asking.
Check-out
Check-out was at 11 a.m. If there were no extra charges, it was quick. I returned the card, checked if anything was open, and left. Since there was no minibar in the room, the process did not take long.
What bothered me was housekeeping entering before check-out. In a dorm room, this happened around 9 a.m. The staff spoke loudly and closed the door hard. If you want to sleep until late morning, this can be very annoying. Before checking out, pack all personal items yourself, especially in a shared room.
Room Types
4-Bed Female Dorm
The 4-bed female dorm was not extremely cramped. There was enough space to move around, although large suitcases quickly got in the way. The bathroom was attached to the room. Towels were provided for each bed, which was a positive point for a budget dorm.
The biggest downside was the outlet placement. There was no convenient socket right by the bed. Charging a phone near the pillow was difficult. This was especially inconvenient when using the phone as an alarm. The room also needed a key card in the power slot. Without the card, the lights and outlets did not work properly. Charging devices while away from the room was difficult.
8-Bed and 10-Bed Dorms
The 8-bed room was attractive mainly because of the price. For about 19.50 euros per night, it gives you a bed near Hackerbrücke in Munich. Bed, bathroom, towels, and hairdryer were available. For one short night, it was enough.
The 10-bed room showed more weaknesses. There were too few outlets, almost no seating, and not much space between beds. The bunk beds were low. Taller guests may find them uncomfortable. The lockers were small. A large backpack or suitcase did not fit. If you have a lot of luggage, a large dorm room is not a good choice.
Double Room and Private Room
The double room was small. I could not comfortably keep a large suitcase open on the floor. Storage space was limited. There was no proper wardrobe, and there were not many shelves. For one night it works. For several days, it becomes inconvenient.
Some beds were comfortable. The mattress was firm enough, and the bedding was clean. In other rooms, the bed creaked, and once a pillow was missing. There was no TV. There was also no refrigerator or kettle. The room felt more like a private hostel room than a standard hotel room.
Family Room
The family room had a double bed and bunk beds. For four or five people, it can be a good way to save money because you do not need multiple rooms. For a short stopover or one night in Munich, it works.
For a longer stay, the room is tight. Several suitcases, shoes, jackets, and towels take up the space quickly. There were not many places to sit. In summer, the room became warm. If the window was opened, road and tram noise came in. If it was closed, the room became stuffy.
Room Cleanliness
Bedding and Floor
Cleanliness was inconsistent. Some rooms had clean bedding and decent towels. Other rooms had dust, hair, and a dirty floor. I do not recommend walking barefoot. Slippers are useful.
Under the bed, near the baseboards, around the window frame, and near the trash bin, cleaning was not thorough. In some rooms, the floor did not feel clean. In a dorm, check your assigned bed immediately after entering the room.
Hallways and Public Areas
The hallways were often dirtier than the rooms. The hallway carpet was stained and dusty. During renovation, some areas had visible dust and materials. The stairwell and elevator did not always feel well maintained.
The lobby was much better. It was a good place to sit, work, or drink something. After breakfast, crumbs and stains sometimes remained on tables and chairs. The hotel needs more attention to cleaning.
Smell
Some rooms had no bad smell. Other rooms smelled damp and musty. The bathroom was a problem when the drain smelled. There was also a strong cannabis smell in the hallway and stairwell at times.
Opening the window helped only a little. On the road side, it immediately became noisy. If you are sensitive to smells, check the room right after check-in and ask for a room change immediately if something is wrong.
Bed and Sleep Quality
Mattress and Pillow
The beds were not always bad. In some rooms, the mattress was comfortable and the bedding was clean. For a short night, I slept well. Family rooms with newer mattresses were better.
The creaking bunk beds were worse. Every movement made noise. In one room, a pillow was missing. That is a clear problem for a hotel. The bedding was basic, but fine when clean. Do not expect luxury here.
Sleeping at Night
Sleep quality depends heavily on the room. Facing the road, you hear cars and trams. Facing the hallway, you hear doors, voices, and other guests. In some rooms, I could hear normal conversations from the next room.
Earplugs are useful here. If you sleep early or wake easily, be careful. This hotel suits guests who return late and only need a short sleep.
Bathroom and Toilet
Shower and Water Pressure
Water pressure was decent in good rooms. Hot water worked properly. A hairdryer, towels, and shower gel were available. Rooms with separate toilet and shower areas were more convenient.
The shower condition was often weak. In some rooms, the drain did not work well. Water stayed around the feet while showering. The shower was narrow, and the shower door almost hit the toilet. One shower head holder was broken. Silicone, drain, and ventilation looked old and poorly maintained.
Sink and Toilet
There was little space around the sink. There was no glass for water or a toothbrush. Some toilets were clean, while others were not convincing. One toilet seat was badly worn. One toilet flush worked poorly and had to be used several times.
Bathroom ventilation was a problem. It was weak or did not work. After showering, humidity stayed in the bathroom. In some bathrooms, the drain smelled unpleasant. If you care about a good bathroom, this is a clear downside.
Towels and Amenities
Towels were provided. In the 4-bed room, two towels per bed were a good point. In other rooms, a large shower towel was missing or there was not enough space to hang wet towels.
Amenities were minimal. There was shower gel, but no full set of toiletries. There were no slippers, toothbrush, kettle, refrigerator, or free drinks. Bring your own essentials.
Cooling, Heating, and Windows
Summer Heat
Cooling was one of the biggest weaknesses. Some rooms did not have working air conditioning. Other rooms had only weak ventilation. In summer, dorms and family rooms became hot quickly.
Small fans helped only a little. On a hot night, sleeping was difficult. If the window was opened, road and tram noise came in. If it was closed, the room became too warm. I do not recommend this hotel for hot summer days.
Heating and Ventilation
In cooler weather, heating worked better than cooling. The room temperature was acceptable. But the air did not always stay fresh. If the bathroom ventilation was weak, the room became musty.
Some windows opened, others were difficult. On the road side, opening the window at night was not a good solution. Fresh air and quiet sleep rarely came together here.
Noise and Soundproofing
Road Noise
The location on a busy road is convenient but loud. Cars, trams, and street noise were clearly audible. From early morning, traffic became louder. With the window open, sleeping was difficult.
Even with the window closed, the room was not always quiet. The windows blocked only part of the noise. If you are sensitive to sound, ask for a room away from the road.
Hallway and Neighbor Noise
Soundproofing is weak. Conversations from the next room were audible. Doors closed loudly. In the evening, groups and students often walked through the hallway. In the morning, voices in the hallway woke me up.
In a shared room, everything depends on the other guests. If someone gets up early, turns on the light, or comes back late at night, you wake up easily. This hotel is not the best choice for quiet nights.
Breakfast
Price and Selection
Breakfast cost 12.90 euros per person. There was bread, rolls, coffee, tea, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, eggs, some fruit, and a few warm items. On good days, the selection was acceptable for 12.90 euros. It was enough for a quick start in Munich.
There were weaker days too. Rolls were hard, cocoa tasted watery, and scrambled eggs had little seasoning. Bacon was missing. The cheese and cold cut selection was limited. If you expect a very good hotel breakfast, you will be disappointed.
Breakfast Area and Cleanliness
The breakfast area became chaotic at busy times. When many guests arrived at once, tables and food were not managed quickly enough. Some plates were not clean. Tables and chairs sometimes had jam, crumbs, and stains.
The breakfast staff worked hard, but they needed more support. For the price, breakfast is acceptable if expectations are low. I would not book it every morning.
Lobby and Shared Areas
Lobby and Bar
The lobby was one of the better parts of the hotel. It was spacious, bright, and useful for sitting. I could make a call, work, or have a drink there. Some seats had outlets. When the room was small, the lobby was very helpful.
The bar was pleasant. Beer and soft drinks were not extremely expensive. Pizza came quickly. For a simple evening in the hotel, it was good.
Kitchen, Fridge, and Laundry
The shared kitchen was not reliably available. Because of renovation, the kitchen and some other areas were closed at times. A microwave, toaster, or fridge could sometimes be used, but it was not a comfortable place to cook.
Laundry was also not always easy to use. If you travel light and depend on a washer and dryer, ask in advance. This matters especially for longer trips.
Staff
Reception
The reception staff varied a lot. Some staff members were friendly, helpful, and patient. One staff member offered coffee after a complaint. Some English- or Spanish-speaking staff members made a very good impression.
Other staff members seemed overwhelmed or uninterested. With key card problems, booking issues, or cleanliness complaints, I sometimes had to explain the same thing more than once. If the manager was not available, the issue remained unresolved. Service depends strongly on the person at the desk.
Breakfast and Housekeeping
Breakfast staff were very busy. They were not rude, but food refilling and table cleaning did not always keep up. With more staff, the breakfast area would be much better.
Housekeeping was the weakest point. Rooms and hallways were not cleaned thoroughly enough. After asking for cleaning, dust still remained on the floor. Housekeeping entering before check-out was also annoying.
Parking and Public Transport
Parking Nearby
Parking nearby is not convenient. There are few free spaces close to the hotel. Many street parking spots have time limits or are for residents. Paid garages are possible, but not cheap.
I recommend arriving without a car. For Munich, this hotel makes much more sense by public transport. If you come by car, find a garage in advance and include the cost in your plan.
Transport Links
The transport links are very good. Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station is nearby. The tram also stops close to the hotel. Munich Central Station is within walking distance. ZOB Munich is also easy to reach.
For Oktoberfest, Frühlingsfest, the city center, bus travel, and train travel, the location is practical. This is the hotel’s strongest point.
Pros
Price
The price is a clear advantage. A bed in a shared room cost about 19.50 euros per night. With breakfast, I paid about 32.40 euros per night. For Munich, that is low. If you need to save money and only need a place to sleep, this can be a decent deal.
Family rooms can also make financial sense if you would otherwise need two rooms. For short stays, this is a plus.
Location and Lobby
The location near Hackerbrücke, Munich Central Station, and ZOB is very practical. Many places are easy to reach. For Oktoberfest visitors, the hotel is especially well located.
The lobby is pleasant. You can sit, work, drink, and wait there. When the rooms are small, this area matters.
Cons
Cleanliness and Bathroom
Cleanliness is the biggest downside. Floors, hallways, bathrooms, drains, and vents were not always cleaned properly. Some rooms smelled musty. Bathrooms had clogged drains, narrow showers, and old fixtures.
If you expect a clean and well-kept bathroom, be careful.
Noise and Cooling
The second major downside is noise. Road, tram, hallway, and next-room noise were clearly audible. In summer, weak cooling made it worse. On hot nights, the room became uncomfortable.
For quiet sleep, this hotel is not a safe choice.
Overall Satisfaction and Revisit
Overall Rating
MEININGER Hotel Munich Zentrum is a cheap hotel with a very good location, but it has clear weaknesses. The price of about 19.50 euros per night in a shared room is strong. Breakfast for 12.90 euros is okay, but not special. Access to Hackerbrücke, Munich Central Station, and ZOB is very good.
Cleanliness, bathroom condition, noise, and cooling create too many problems. The hotel only fits certain trips. For one short night, light luggage, and low expectations, it is acceptable. For a family holiday, quiet sleep, or comfort, I recommend another hotel.
Would I Stay Again?
I would book this hotel again only if I needed one cheap night in Munich and location mattered more than comfort. For a short stay near Hackerbrücke, ZOB, or Oktoberfest, it can work. I would bring earplugs, slippers, a lock, and a charging adapter.
For several nights in summer, a family trip, or quiet sleep, I would not book it again.
Location and Nearby Transport
From Hackerbrücke and Munich Central Station
From Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station, walk toward Landsberger Straße and the hotel is only a few minutes away. From Munich Central Station, the walk is also manageable. With luggage, the tram or a short car ride is more comfortable. ZOB Munich is also close, so the hotel works well for Flixbus and long-distance bus travelers.
Theresienwiese is within walking distance, which makes the location useful for Oktoberfest and Frühlingsfest. Nearby, there are restaurants, bars, supermarkets, pharmacies, and bakeries. Bavarian places such as Augustiner Bräustuben are also close. The road in front of the hotel is busy, so traffic noise is part of the stay.
Check the hotel location on the map
Hotel Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews