Hotel Blauer Bock

Boasting a central “Inside the Ring” location near the Viktualienmarkt, the newly remodeled Blauer Bock (“Blue Buck”) offers three-star rooms with “Bavarian country” style at great rates for the neighborhood.

The Blauer Bock’s friendly reception and lounge have a quiet, chalet-style warmth, with wooden paneling and cozy seating. Upstairs (there’s an elevator), the hotel’s 69 rooms were all renovated in late 2014, and are today in great shape, with hardwood floors, pine desks, and leather headboards. All are equipped with a flat-screen TV and telephone, and either look to the front or side street, or over a quiet courtyard shared by several buildings.

All but nine rooms have their own private bath, also newly renovated with marble and mosaic tiling, big showers, cosmetic mirrors, and plenty of counter space. (A few tubs are available.) Nine “economy” rooms share facilities in the hallway, and are certainly the best "cheapo option" at this sometime-pricey pick.

We love the Blauer Bock’s location, as it places you next to the city’s synagogue along cafe-lined Sebastiansplatz. Across the street, the “Schrannenhalle” is a bustling indoor market, filled with upscale food shops, restaurants and wine bars, while the city’s famous Viktualienmarkt is just around the corner.

A breakfast buffet is included in the room rate and served in the hotel’s large breakfast room, with windows opening to the street.