Hotels in Munich

Rockavaria 2016?
https://www.muenchenticket.de/guide/tickets/10bav/Rockavaria+2016+Festivalticket.html

"Any ideas why hotels so expensive the week of May 29-Jun 1st?"

Is this for one person? Two? Eight? Hotels in Munich are somewhat expensive, particularly if you only go for the big name ones, lots of stars, or use booking websites. However, $262/night for one or two people seem excessive to me. BTW, stars awarded by DEHOGA in Germany are based on the hotel's amenities (hours of front desk, room service, size of rooms and beds, etc) not on the quality of the hotel. All hotels, to have any stars, must meet the same standards of cleanliness and maintenance, and I have found that non-star hotels in Germany meet the same standard. It's just a German thing.

May 29 is a Sunday. The Thursday before, the 26th is a holiday, Corpus Christi. Perhaps they are celebrating it as a long weekend.

Have you tried any of the hotels often mentioned here - am Viktualien Markt, Blauer Bock, Pension Lindner, Muenchner Kindl, inside the Altstadt - Royal, outside? They aren't 3*** and they probably don't have A/C, but sounds like you can't be picky anymore.

If it is that event that filling up hotels, it's north of town, so you might try something to the south of town.

As for places near the airport, I've found that hotels right at the airport tend to be very pricey. The town of Freising is 20 minutes by bus from the airport and somewhat less, although still on the high side. Here is a listing of places to stay in Freising. You probably want something within walking distance of the Bahnhof/ZOB (bus station). I would suggest Bayerischer Hof or zur Gred. You might find other places you like on the Freising listing. Most places have URLs and email. If you have the evening free before you fly out, you can walk (or take a bus) up to the brewery at Weihenstephen and have dinner at the Biergarten.

These places will be simple hotels, without hot and cold running maids and shoe-shine machines in every room, just simple accommodations, but clean and economical. I've only stayed in Muenchner Kindl. It was OK and convenient to Marienplatz, but four or five stories high without an elevator. A few people here (not me) have stayed at zur Gred and recommended it. I know nothing about Bayerischer Hof, but the map shows it within walking distance of the Freising ZOB.

We are staying in Munich (Hotel Schlicker) May 26-29 for about $179/per night. This was booked at the end of December, so it seems more of an effect of getting close to your travel dates than a holiday.

This thread is why hotels are so pricey:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/munich-the-week-of-may-30-event

There is a big conference in town that week with over 100k attendees and they all want hotel rooms.

DJ

If it is something at the Messe, which is on the east end of town, look for accommodations on the west end (Pasing?).

Try looking within an hour train ride outside the city if you need a cheaper hotel. There are lots of threads discussing nearby alternatives like Landshut, Rosenheim, Tegernsee, etc.

DJ

Thanks to all who responded to my post. I have changed my dates in Munich and got a much better hotel at a much better price. Thanks again to my fellow Travelers!

Does anyone have experience with the KING's HOTEL First Class near the train station. We will be traveling immediately after Oktoberfest and are finding some hotels lacking availability or exceptionally high rates for the first day or two. This is an available option.

We were on a tour that normally stays at the Kings First Class but instead were put up at the Kings Center one nearby. If it's similar but a little bit better (based on the pricing) it should be fine.

We loved the breakfast, the location was pretty convenient (you can walk to the Marienplatz in around 15 minutes), right near the train station, a good beer garden in pretty location (Park Cafe), a grocery store a block away to stock up on supplies. The street we were on wasn't all that amazing picturesque, don't know if the "First Class" street is much prettier.

Biggest complaint was being there during record heat wave and the AC not working, then were given a fan that didn't turn, before getting one mediocre fan. (Realize that we Americans love AC too much but the heat wave had them talking about the highest temps in recorded German history!) Hopefully the 'First Class' one has better ventilation or you won't need it as much.