2 nights in Munich

I like Pension Lindner, just off the newly-pedestrianized Sendlingerstraße, and convenient to both Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt. It is just across the street from the Munich City Museum and the Jewish Museum and synagogue. It's recommended in Rick's Germany guidebook.

I'll second the Sendlinger Tor area for character+location at a decent price. I've stayed at the Hotel Herzog Wilhelm. Decent small hotel with an excellent restaurant (Der Tannenbaum) down stairs. There is also a MotelOne near Sendlinger Tor which is a great value for what you get but may or may not fit your definition of "character" as it is an up and coming hotel chain.

DJ

If you stay close to the main train station you can pop on a train and get to the Marienplatz in minutes, or pop on Tram 17 and hit two of the best beer gardens, Augusteiner Keller and Hirschgarten. I usually stay at Hotel Uhland. Other than the beer garden in the Viktualienmarkt, I don't know of any really good beer gardens near Marienplatz.

For 25 years I had a favorite hotel in the outskirts of Munich, but it recently got turned into an apartment building, so I have been searching for a new place. The last time I was in Munich I stayed at Münchner-Kindl, between Karlstor and Sendlingertor. It was OK and did have character, but lacked a lift. I haven't stayed at Lindner, so I can't recommend it, but I really like the location and the price. I will probably stay there next time.

I did visit the Bier Garten at Weihenstephan in Freising. It was a fun experience, but maybe a little too far out of town.

Another vote for Pension Linder! Perfectly located about a 3 minute walk to the Marienplatz. I'm not sure if it fits the "character" part of your description, but the rooms are large and very clean. We stayed in the double en suite and thought it was a great value.

I contacted Linder and they want me to send them my credit card info over email. Is that safe?

Robert,

We did what Tom suggested when we booked at Pension Lindner. I sent two emails back to back with the credit card number split between the two emails. That worked just fine. If I remember right though, Marion just used the card to hold the room - we paid in cash when we got there.

Spoke to her today, she sounds great. I will send her the info tonight. Thanks so much for all the advice. Any places you all love to eat?