Euro Youth Hotel: Lobby
Backpackers on a budget will find a fun spot to crash at the 194-bed Euro Youth Hotel.

Thumbs up for the clean rooms and shared bathroom facilities (two notes worth mentioning: the hostel boasts one shower per 4.5 beds, and all of the bathrooms have been completely replaced and renovated in the last two years). Large common areas with a homey atmosphere, an on-site bar, laundry facilities, free tea and free wireless Internet are other pluses.

Dorm beds in the bigger rooms, like the 22-bed room separated with a wall partition, start at about 12.50€ in the low season (read: the dead of winter), 15€ in the summer, and 35€ for big events like Oktoberfest. In the smaller dorm rooms (three-, four- and five-beds), rates start at 15€, average about 18€ to 22€, and can hit about 45€ during peak times. Private single rooms start at 29€, and private doubles - quite nice for a hostel, I might add - start at 39€. Call or check out the web site for more accurate rates. All-you-eat-breakfast buffet is available for 3.90€.

YMCA: Lobby
For a basic hostel bed, the local YMCA, known here as CVJM-Jugendgästehaus, has 85 of them on offer in single, double and triple rooms.

The rooms, shared bathrooms facilities and common areas are clean and, from the looks of it, well-taken care of. Some rooms are set asides for families, with a crib/playpen set-up for infants and toddlers. On the downside, because it’s the Y and tied to Christian values, unmarried couples are not allowed to bunk together and must stay in the single-sex dorms.

Hotel Müller: Hotel front
Small, but charming would sum up Hotel Müller. The three-star hotel's recently-completed room redesign plays up the coziness factor. Special details in some bathrooms, like stone trim around the mirrors, add a nice touch, too.

The 44 rooms are divided between singles, doubles and three-bed rooms. Prices vary by season and what's happening in town. Singles generally cost 79€ to 349€ per night, and doubles start at 109€ to 369€. A breakfast buffet, comprised mainly of organic food products, is 13€ per person.

Carat Hotel: Patio
Looking for a comfortable business-class hotel near downtown? The three-star Carat Hotel may meet your needs.

While it’s a good option for most travelers, its 70 rooms provide all the amenities you need for an office away from home. A W-Lan connection, phone and soundproof windows on the street-side room.

The rooms were undergoing renovation in 2008, and were doing to be completed by year's end

Although prices vary by season and the city's event calendar, singles rooms range from 79€ to 369€ per night. Double rooms go from 89€ to 389€ per night. A breakfast buffet is 12€ per person. The company also operates nearby Hotel Müller, also reviewed by WHN.

Hotel Cocoon: Bedroom
Hotel Cocoon certainly makes an impression with its olive green and tangerine orange motif. That’s exactly what owner Johannes Eckelmann had in mind when he opened what he calls his "lifestyle" hotel in May 2008.

Aimed squarely at young urbanites, Cocoon steals a page from stylish boutique hotels popping up in other top European and American cities, and if Eckelmann has his way, will start a trend here in Munich.

And, why not? The concept is easy enough to embrace. Who could resist the dangling pod chairs in the lobby, egg-shaped chairs in the rooms, flat-panel TVs, and revamped, totally-wired workspace? Even the sinks and showers are cool (although, personally, I'm not a big fan of the full-length mirror on the wall opposite the doorless shower stall, but, if it floats your boat…)

Hotel Astor: Entrance
With each room slightly different, this upscale four-star hotel serves up comfort and relaxation.

Centrally-located and walking distance to the main Altstadt attractions, it's a good jumping off for exploring the city. Back in the room, there's free W-LAN Internet access, satellite television, a radio and a mini bar to help you chill.

Prices vary by season, and singles run about at 85€, and doubles 105€. Breakfast included.

U-Bahn: U1, U2 Hauptbahnhof

Belle Blue Hotel: Front View
Living up to its name "Beautiful Blue," the Belle Blue Hotel's colorful motif give it sense of modern style and sophistication not too common in Munich.

Inspired by her travels abroad, owner Irmgard Leiminger took over the renovated the former family Schillerhof-hotel in 1992 and renovated the building. She redesigned it with smoother lines, subtle elegance and creative details in mind (how many hotels have you come across with under-the- floor and behind-the-bathroom-mirror heating?)

Hotel Goethe: Hotel front
With a simple, yet subtle, sophistication Hotel Goethe is an option if you want to be close to the main train station and city center.

The 30 rooms have nice wood touches that make it comfortable for a short stay. All rooms have W-LAN Internet, satellite television, a mini bar, telephone and a shower.

Singles start at 65€, and doubles and twin-bed rooms at 85€, with breakfast buffet included.

U-Bahn: U1, U2 Hauptbahnhof

Hotel Schweiz: Entrance
For simple rooms with not a lot of pretension, try Hotel Schweiz.

The 58-room hotel, in the busy and sometimes seedy neighborhood around the train station, is centrally located to most of Munich's major sights. The staff is friendly, rooms come with TV and there's W-LAN Internet access.

Singles go from 64€ to 200€, and doubles start at 94€ and can reach 300€ during peak season and Oktoberfest. Continental breakfast buffet is included.

U-Bahn: U1, U2 Hauptbahnhof

Litty's Hotel: Entrance
Fairly new on the scene, Litty's Hotel is breath of fresh air.

The hotel, which opened just prior to Oktoberfest 2007, adds a stylish, modern-day look to the Munich hotel circuit and tosses out the notion of same-old, same-old. Living by the mantra "Cheap & Cozy," Litty's is also raising the competitive bar for the hotel-packed neighborhood around the Hauptbahnhof train station.

It houses 35 airy and brightly-painted rooms, with a variety of configurations. There are singles, doubles, triples, some with full in-room bathrooms, some just with shower and shared toilets, and others with shared facilities. And, there's free wireless Internet, to boot.

Hotel Deutsches: Dining room
Around Munich's central train station, hotels are a dime a dozen. But, Hotel Deutsches Theater, with its friendly staff and decent prices, stands out among the crowd.

Within easy walking distance to city center and, of course, the Deutsches Theater (hence the name), the hotel brings together Munich's warm hospitality and away-from-home comfort. The rooms are furnished in Laura Ashley style and equipped with a large writing desk, in-room showers, hair-dryer, mini-bar, cable TV, direct-dial phone and high-speed W-LAN Internet access.

Hotel Brunnenhof: Entrance
In the heart of Munich not far from the main train station, Hotel Brunnenhof is a pleasant surprise.

Run by a husband-wife team, the hotel has 56 simple but charming rooms spread over five floors. It earns high marks for offering something uncommon on the Munich hotel scene: rooms with handicap-accessible bathrooms and beds. Families, too, will find a second home here, as there are a couple rooms that can accommodate up to five people.

Another quirky claim to fame: Before the building, which was constructed in 1897, was converted to a hotel in 1981, it housed Rolf Putzinger's gym on one of the upper floors. Ring a bell? That's where California governor and Terminator superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger trained and worked as a bodybuilding trainer in the late-1960s. Things you learn along the way.

Hotel Hauser: Entrance
Hauser Hotel is similar to many of the Munich three-star hotels: family-run, moderately priced and plenty of amenities. In addition, it's got a great location going for it. Bordering the student Maxvorstadt and upscale Schwabing neighborhoods, there's lots to within walking distance from the Schellingstrasse hotel.

Family-owned for 70 years, Hauser has 33 single, double, triple and family rooms, complete with air conditioners, in-room bathroom facilities, cable TV, phone, radio, W-LAN access and soundproof windows. There's even a small garden terrace in the back.

Hotel Astoria: Double room
Some may argue this, but I say there are few things better in Munich than the Englischer Garten. And, if you can have it as your own backyard for a short time, even better. That's one thing that makes boutique Hotel Astoria an appealing option. It's practically touching the sprawling park along the Isar River.

Although it's off the city's main artery, Leopoldstrasse, Hotel Astoria's quiet street has a style and romance all its own. Being close to the thoroughfare has advantages as well: there are plenty of nearby restaurants and bars; the Schwabing shopping district is a stone's throw away, and subway connections are just up the street.

Best Western Hotel: Reception and Lobby
For a dose of comfort and charm, head to the Best Western Hotel König Ludwig in the Schwabing neighborhood.

The 50-room, three-star hotel sports a variety of rooms, offering singles, doubles, doubles with twin beds, and suites (with terraces). All rooms have a bath or shower, cable TV, radio, mini bar, hairdryer, phone and W-LAN access.

Prices run the gamut depending on the room and year. Weekday and weekend rates also vary. Single weekday rates start at 105€ during low season, and for trade shows and major events, the base price is 140€. Doubles start at 125€ during the week and at 170€ when there's a major conference or event. Breakfast buffet is included.