Ruby Lilly Hotel Review Summary
A stylish Munich hotel with strong location and a few real drawbacks
Ruby Lilly in Munich works well if you want a hotel near Munich Central Station, Maxvorstadt, tram stops, the Old Town and the museum area. The hotel has a stylish bar-reception setup, modern rooms, comfortable beds and a relaxed atmosphere. The staff were usually friendly and helpful, especially at the bar and breakfast. The rooms were often clean, bright and well designed, and the Marshall Bluetooth speaker in the room was a nice extra. Still, this is not a perfect hotel for every traveler. Some rooms are small, the glass shower and partly open toilet setup can be uncomfortable, and rooms facing the street can pick up tram noise. Breakfast was good, with coffee, bread, cheese, ham, yogurt, fruit and some Bavarian items, but at 24 euros per person I wanted more variety. I would stay again, but I would choose a quiet upper-floor room, book a flexible rate, and think twice before sharing a room with anyone other than a partner.
Ruby Lilly Check-in and Check-out
Arrival and first impression
The first thing that stands out at Ruby Lilly is that the reception is part of the bar. It gives the hotel a lively, relaxed feel, but it is different from a standard hotel lobby. Check-in was smooth once I reached the staff. The reservation check, passport check and key card setup were handled quickly. The self-check-in screen was less enjoyable after a long trip because I had to type information again, but the staff helped when needed. The explanation about the elevator, room card and floor facilities was clear.
Room price and payment
The room rate changed a lot depending on date and booking terms. For one non-refundable online business booking, two rooms for four nights came to 1,080 euros in total. That works out to 135 euros per room per night. When I checked the later period I actually needed, the displayed rate was 887 euros per room for four nights, which is about 222 euros per room per night. I booked online and paid in advance by card. Breakfast cost 24 euros per person when added on site and 22 euros per person when booked in advance. Bar drinks, coffee and snacks were paid by card at the hotel. I do not recommend the non-refundable rate here unless your dates are completely fixed.
Check-out and luggage storage
Check-out was easy. The staff checked whether there were any open charges from breakfast or the bar, and then I returned the key card. Luggage storage after check-out was useful, especially because the hotel is close to Munich Central Station. It made the last day much easier.
Ruby Lilly Room Types and Room Experience
Small rooms for short stays
The smaller rooms at Ruby Lilly are compact but functional. For one person or a couple with light luggage, they have what you need: bed, sink, shower, toilet, TV, Marshall speaker and a few places to put things. With two large suitcases, the room becomes tight. The space beside the bed is narrow, and I hit my shin getting out of bed more than once. The room is also not ideal for long laptop work because there is no proper desk and comfortable chair. For one night, a short city break or a solo business trip, it works. For a longer stay, I would book a bigger room.
Bigger rooms with better space, but not always better comfort
The bigger rooms felt much more comfortable in terms of space. Rooms with a window bench were especially nice because I could sit by the glass and look out over the street. Higher-floor rooms had good views toward Stiglmaierplatz and the city. The bed was large, the design was attractive, and the Marshall speaker made the room feel less bare. However, one larger room with a lot of glass was extremely cold in winter. The heating ran all night but did not warm the room properly. The bathroom had no separate heater and no heated towel rail, so the tile floor was freezing in the morning. That room looked impressive, but it was not comfortable in cold weather.
Bed, bedding and pillows
The bed was one of the better parts of the stay. The mattress was comfortable, not too hard and not too soft. The bedding was soft and pleasant when the room had been prepared properly. I slept well on most nights. The pillows were less reliable. The large pillow was too high and firm for my neck, while the smaller one was softer but too small. If you are picky about pillows, ask for an alternative early. A second duvet was not always easy to get quickly.
Ruby Lilly Cleanliness, Bathroom and Amenities
Cleanliness with a few serious misses
Most rooms I stayed in were clean. The floor, sink, shower, bed and towels were usually in good condition, and the public areas also looked well kept. But there were clear exceptions. I once had to ask for a room change because the bedding was not acceptable. In another room, the shower curtain was yellowed and there was a light sewage smell from the bathroom area. These problems stood out because the hotel otherwise presents itself as stylish and well managed. At Ruby Lilly, I now check the bedding, pillows, towels, shower curtain and drain smell right after entering the room.
Shower, toilet and privacy
The bathroom setup is the main reason this hotel will not suit everyone. In many rooms, the shower is made of glass and sits directly in the room. A curtain covers part of it, but it does not create full privacy. For solo travelers or couples, it can be fine. For friends, colleagues or family, it is uncomfortable. The toilet door in some rooms does not close fully, so sound and light carry into the bedroom. At night, turning on the bathroom light can wake the other person. On the positive side, water pressure was usually good and hot water was stable. The rainfall shower was pleasant when the shower head was clean. In one room, part of the rainfall shower head was blocked.
Amenities and in-room features
The room had shampoo, shower gel, hand soap and body lotion. The quality was good enough for a short stay. The mirror lighting was excellent for shaving or makeup. Wi-Fi was stable, and sockets near the bed were convenient. The TV was basic, and I missed Netflix or Prime access. I liked the small galley areas on each floor with free tea and coffee, an iron, ironing board and a vending machine for snacks or forgotten items. That feature was genuinely useful.
Ruby Lilly Noise and Temperature
Tram and street noise
The location is convenient, but it comes with traffic noise. In lower rooms facing the street, I heard trams and cars at night. With the window closed, the noise was lower, but it did not disappear completely. With the window open, the tram was loud. Rooms facing the back or on higher floors were better. Light sleepers should request a quiet room on an upper floor.
Bar, events and neighboring rooms
Street noise was not the only issue. On nights with after-work events or larger groups, music and crowd noise from the bar area carried late into the night. That may be fine for a leisure trip, but it is bad for a business stay when sleep matters. I also heard neighboring rooms when people played music or spoke loudly. Ruby Lilly is not a hotel I would call strongly soundproofed.
Heating and air conditioning
Heating and air conditioning were acceptable in many rooms, but not in every room. In one room, the air conditioning made strange noises every few minutes. In winter, rooms with large glass fronts can be cold. The bathroom can become especially uncomfortable without its own heater. For winter stays, I would avoid a corner room with too much glass.
Ruby Lilly Breakfast and Bar
Breakfast price and food
Breakfast was 24 euros per person on site and 22 euros when booked in advance. The buffet had bread, rolls, pretzels, cheese, ham, yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea and, on some mornings, scrambled eggs, white sausages and Bavarian items. Coffee was one of the highlights. Cappuccino and latte were good, and the breakfast staff handled coffee orders well. Bread, cheese and spreads were also good, and there were vegetarian spreads and clearly marked vegan items.
Breakfast downsides
The breakfast was good, but not always strong enough for 24 euros. I wanted more hot food and more vegan options. When many guests arrived at the same time, seats became limited and I had to wait briefly. Food was usually replenished, but peak times were not relaxing. I recommend going early if breakfast is important to you.
24-hour bar
The bar is one of the strongest reasons to stay at Ruby Lilly. It is open 24 hours, spacious and stylish, and it attracts both hotel guests and locals. The cocktails were very good, although not cheap. Coffee was also good. The bar staff gave helpful recommendations and made the evenings better. When the room felt too small, the bar was the best place to sit.
Ruby Lilly Staff and Service
Front desk
The front desk staff were usually friendly, relaxed and helpful. They helped with check-in, local recommendations, luggage and room questions. Late check-out until 1 p.m. was possible when available, and one practical parking issue was handled without fuss. Communication was weaker when it came to non-refundable booking changes and special cases. I would not rely on flexibility if booking a discounted non-refundable rate.
Bar and breakfast staff
The bar and breakfast teams were often the best part of the hotel. Coffee came quickly, cocktails were well explained, and the team kept a friendly tone even during busy periods. The bar staff made the stay feel more personal.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping was usually polite, and I saw staff working around the floors daily. Still, there were issues. A do-not-disturb sign was ignored once, even though personal items were in the room. That should not happen. The bedding and bathroom issues in some rooms were also serious enough to mention. If anything is wrong, ask for another room immediately.
Ruby Lilly Parking and Transport
Parking garage
Ruby Lilly has an underground garage, which is a real advantage in central Munich. Spaces are limited and cannot always be reserved in advance. The garage is narrow and has tight turns, so it is not ideal for a large car. With a small or medium car, it works. With an SUV or an unfamiliar rental car, public transport is easier.
Public transport
Public transport is one of the biggest strengths of the hotel. Tram stops are close, the U-Bahn is within walking distance, and Munich Central Station is about ten minutes away on foot. The Old Town, Karlsplatz, Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz and the Pinakothek museum area are easy to reach. Most visitors will not need a car here.
Ruby Lilly Pros and Cons
Pros
The main pros are the location, bar, comfortable beds, friendly staff, stylish rooms and useful floor stations with free tea, coffee, iron and vending machine. For a short Munich hotel stay, a city trip or a business trip with light luggage, Ruby Lilly works well.
Cons
The main cons are the open bathroom, small rooms, possible tram noise, possible event noise, limited workspace and breakfast value at 24 euros. Some room-cleaning problems, cold glass-heavy rooms in winter, a tight garage and difficult booking changes also stood out.
Would I stay again?
I would stay at Ruby Lilly again, but I would book carefully. I recommend it for solo travelers, couples, short business trips and Munich city breaks. I do not recommend it for friends or colleagues sharing one room, very light sleepers, or travelers who want a fully private bathroom. Next time I would choose an upper-floor quiet room, a flexible rate and the advance breakfast price.
Ruby Lilly Location and Nearby Access
From Central Station, Stiglmaierplatz and the Old Town
Ruby Lilly sits north of Munich Central Station toward Maxvorstadt. From the station, the walk takes around ten minutes, but with heavy luggage the tram is easier. Stiglmaierplatz and Theresienstraße are nearby, so both tram and U-Bahn access are convenient. Karlsplatz, Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz and the Old Town are easy to reach, and the Pinakothek museum area is also close enough for a daytime visit. Restaurants, cafés and bars are available around the hotel, so dinner outside the hotel is simple.
Check the hotel location on the map
Hotel Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews