Review Summary
Rooms and Price at a Glance
Motel One Munich-Westend is a practical hotel in Munich Schwanthalerhöhe, close to Donnersbergerbrücke, tram stops and the Westend area. The rooms are typical for Motel One: small, modern and suitable for short stays. I paid about €154 for one night on one stay, while a busy event period brought the rate up to €250 per night. Breakfast cost €17 per person on one stay and €17.90 per person on another. Parking in the underground garage cost €11 per day once and €12 per day on another stay.
Overall Impression
The main strengths are the tram connection, the access to S-Bahn, the modern room design and the mostly friendly staff. The biggest weak points are the small rooms, the very compact bathrooms, the limited breakfast seating and inconsistent housekeeping. A room facing the back was quiet. A room facing the street was not comfortable with the window open because of tram and traffic noise. For one or two nights in Munich, the hotel works well. For a longer stay with large luggage, the room size becomes a real limitation.
Price and Payment
Room Rate and Extra Costs
The price at Motel One Munich-Westend changed a lot depending on the date. One night cost around €154. During a busy Munich period, I paid €250 for one night. At €154, the hotel made sense when the room was clean and quiet. At €250, the small room, breakfast crowding and housekeeping issues felt much harder to accept.
Card Payment and On-Site Payment
Booking online and paying by card at the hotel was the easiest option. In some situations, payment was requested in advance even though a credit card had already been used to secure the reservation. One electronic payment did not work at the first terminal and had to be processed again at another one. For a late arrival, I recommend having the payment card, passport and booking confirmation ready.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in Experience
Check-in is based on a 3 p.m. arrival. When the room was already prepared, I was able to enter around 11 a.m. The reservation check was usually quick, and some front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. Not every check-in was equally smooth. I used online quick check-in once, but I still did not receive a mobile key and had to repeat the details at the desk.
Check-out Experience
Check-out was possible until 12 p.m. When there were no open charges, I simply dropped the key card into the box and left. It was fast and convenient. The weaker point was housekeeping. On one morning, housekeeping knocked well before noon, and on another stay they came even earlier. Anyone wanting a slow morning should put the do-not-disturb sign on the door clearly.
Room Size and Room Types
Single Room and Business Stay
For one person, the room was enough. It had a small table, TV, blackout curtains, bedside lighting and enough space for a short business trip. The TV fireplace screen was a nice Motel One detail. For longer stays, storage space was limited. There was no fridge, no complimentary water and no kettle. A proper desk was not available in every room.
Double Room
For two people, the double room felt tight. Opening two suitcases at the same time was difficult, and the bathroom was also very small. Some double rooms were clean, comfortable and had a good bed. On another stay, a room booked for two people had only one duvet and one towel. A double room is fine for one night, but several days with a lot of luggage can feel cramped.
Dog-Friendly Room
For a stay with a dog, a ground-floor room is useful. Access to a fenced garden area with grass is a strong advantage for a city hotel. The room is still small, but for a short stay with a dog, it works well.
Bed and Bedding
Mattress and Pillows
The bed quality was not always the same. In good rooms, the mattress was comfortable, the bed was clean and the bedding felt pleasant. In weaker rooms, the mattress was worn out, and the pillows were too high and hard. Sensitive sleepers should ask the front desk early for another option if needed.
Duvets and Sheets
For short stays, the bedding was usually clean. During a longer stay, the sheets were not always changed. One of the most disappointing experiences was visible staining on the pillow and duvet cover. That is not acceptable for this hotel category. Missing duvets and towels in a double room are also a clear service problem.
Room Cleanliness and Smell
Uneven Room Quality
Many rooms were clean, tidy and modern. On those stays, the usual Motel One standard was there. Still, there were clear exceptions. Shelves had dust, the bathroom had hair from a previous guest, and one room had an item from a previous guest on the floor. In such a small room, these things are impossible to ignore.
Smell and Ventilation
Some rooms smelled fresh and were well aired. Others had a musty smell, and one bathroom had an unpleasant drain smell. In a street-facing room, leaving the window open for long was not a good option because of tram and traffic noise. I recommend checking the room immediately after arrival and asking for a change if the smell, bed or bathroom is not right.
Bathroom and Shower
Size and Water Pressure
The bathroom is very small. Sink, toilet and shower are close together. In good rooms, the bathroom was clean, the water pressure was strong and hot water arrived quickly. Rooms with rain showers were pleasant. Counter space around the sink was limited.
Towels and Amenities
Towels were usually clean, but not always. A stained towel was not replaced correctly on one stay. Amenities were simple: soap, shampoo and shower gel. Toothbrushes, razors and other small items should be packed in advance. There was no tissue box, no free water bottle and no kettle in the room.
Bathroom Cleaning
Bathroom cleaning made the biggest difference. In good rooms, everything was clean. In weaker rooms, the toilet, shower or sink had not been cleaned properly. Some drains did not work well, and the bathroom fan was loud or kept running.
Noise and Air Conditioning
Street-Facing Rooms
The street in front of the hotel is noticeable. With the window closed, some rooms were quiet enough. With the window open, tram and traffic noise were clearly disturbing. Heavy room doors and hallway noise could also be heard at times. For better sleep, I recommend asking for a room facing the back.
Back-Facing Rooms
Rooms facing the back were much quieter. I slept better in those rooms, sometimes even with the window open. The only issue was the outdoor area. If guests were loud outside late at night, even a quiet room became less comfortable.
Heating and Cooling
Air conditioning did not work well in every room. On a warm stay, the room reached about 27 degrees and sleep was difficult. On a colder stay, the heating was not active and a radiator was needed. After check-in, it is worth testing the temperature and ventilation right away.
Breakfast and Bar
Breakfast Price and Menu
Breakfast cost €17 per person on one stay and €17.90 on another. The buffet included bread, rolls, jam, cheese, boiled eggs, muesli, coffee, milk and vegan options. The baked goods and organic items were good. Scrambled eggs were missing, and some juices tasted too watery.
Breakfast Area
The food was better than the seating. The breakfast area was too small for the hotel. There were too few normal dining tables and many low tables with lounge chairs. During busy times, finding a seat was difficult. On cold days, air came through the entrance and terrace doors. For a calmer breakfast, going early is the best choice.
Bar and Lounge
The bar is small but fine for an evening drink. One staff member handled many guests alone and still served drinks quickly and politely. On other evenings, I had to go to the bar myself because no one came to the table. Bar service was therefore very good on some nights and weak on others.
Staff and Service
Front Desk
Many front desk staff were friendly, attentive and helpful. One booking mix-up was handled well, and a forgotten toiletry bag was sent back without extra charge. Some staff also gave clear transport advice. Other check-ins felt distant, with little eye contact and not much explanation about the hotel.
Breakfast Staff and Housekeeping
Breakfast staff were attentive on good days and refilled missing items quickly. One small but memorable moment was an orange juice brought to the table after I asked for it. Housekeeping was less consistent. Towels and bed linen were not always handled properly, and room cleaning quality varied too much.
Parking and Transport
Underground Garage
The hotel has an underground garage. I paid €11 per day once and €12 per day on another stay. The rate is fair for Munich. The issue is space. The garage is small, narrow and often full. With a larger car, entering requires care.
Parking Nearby
If the garage is full, parking nearby is difficult. Street parking is limited. Once I had to use another hotel garage and paid €25 for the night. Unless a car is essential, tram and S-Bahn are the better choice here.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The location is the main advantage. Tram and S-Bahn are close, the city center is easy to reach, and the Westend area has cafés, restaurants, Lidl and dm nearby. The room design is modern, the beds are comfortable in good rooms, and breakfast includes vegetarian and vegan options.
Cons
The rooms and bathrooms are very small. Cleanliness was too inconsistent. Breakfast seating was limited, and parking was not always available. Street-facing rooms are noisy with the window open. At high event prices, the balance between rate, room size and service is not always convincing.
Overall Satisfaction and Return
Good for Short Stays
For a short Munich stay, a business trip or a concert night, Motel One Munich-Westend is a good option when the price is right. At around €154 per night and with a quiet back-facing room, I can recommend it. At €250 per night, I would compare it carefully with other Munich hotels.
My Choice Next Time
Next time, I would request a room facing the back, check the bed and bathroom right after check-in and test the air conditioning immediately. For one or two nights, I would book the hotel again if the location and price work. For a longer stay with large luggage, I would choose a bigger room elsewhere.
Location and Nearby Transport
From Donnersbergerbrücke
From Donnersbergerbrücke S-Bahn station, walk south toward Landsberger Straße. From there, the hotel is easy to reach within a few minutes. The tram stop is very close to the entrance, which is convenient with luggage. From Munich Central Station, the tram connection is easy, and using S-Bahn via Donnersbergerbrücke also works well.
City Center and Theresienwiese
Theresienwiese is within walking distance, which is useful during Oktoberfest. Stachus and Marienplatz are quick to reach by tram. Around the hotel, there are supermarkets, a drugstore, bars, restaurants and small cafés. For a Munich city trip, the location is practical, especially if staying directly at the main station is not the goal.
Check the hotel location on the map
Hotel Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews