Where to stay in Munich over Christmas?

I usually do not like staying too far away from the train station. There is a very recommendable 3 star hotel right across the street from the Munchener Hauptbahnhof...the Europaischer Hof on Bayerstrasse 31. It has a restaurant too, which I find very convenient.

Can't miss it, it faces the train station.

The tel.# is 089/551510; if you're calling from the US just start with 8, drop the zero.

Where ever you pick to stay, you might want to see what kind of offer they have for the 24th for dinner. Literally everything shuts down in Germany on the 24th after about 14:00. About the only thing going will be public transportation, taxis and nice hotels will have dinner offered, but most likely reservation only. Later in the evening, some bars or pubs may open around 9 or 10 for people to go have a relaxing glass of wine after the stress of being with the in-laws, etc. Plus folks want to spend that Christmas cash.

The next two days are official holidays, so check which ever attractions or museums that you want to visit as some may be open, some closed. Restaurants will be busy, but stores will be closed.

Why do you not like staying too far away from the train station? The train station is one of the seediest areas around beautiful Munich.

On that seedy note, what are the areas to avoid? What are the ones that are desirable? I don't really need to be near the Train, since I'll have a car. I'd love some advice of the good/bad areas of Munich.

I've been to Europe several times (Italy, England, France), and I've always felt safer over there than I do in the states, but I don't know much about Munich.
Thanks for the help!

On one Christmas trip we stayed at the lovely Platzl Hotel ( www.platzl.de , then click on English). It's a short walk to the Marienplatz, where the old clock tower is located and the Christmas Market will just be ending. Wonderful hotel, nice rooms, we stayed for 3 days and loved it.

The second time we were in Munich we stayed closer to the train station, but a far walk to the Marienplatz. The hotel itself was OK but the area was NOT pleasant to be in. We had to walk past sex shops and peep shows... and with kids in tow.

I sincerely doubt if you will find an open restaurant on Christmas Eve, except those in hotels catering to their guests, most likely reservation only.

Train station areas just look a bit sleazy, but they are not unsafe.

I was in Munich in July of this year, hadn't seen the place in 16 years; mostly I go to North Germany and the Eastern Germany. On the train station area being seedy, it's not that bad but not really great either. Anyway, it doesn't bother me.

Aside from my recommendation above, around the station area are a number of places to stay ranging from the independent hostels to three star hotels.

Also I don't travel by car in Germany.