Hilton Garden Inn Munich City West {DEU}
So after six weeks post-opening I was able to stay one night here last weekend. A brand new building an new opening easily call for some inconsistencies as the hotel staff yet has to gain routine and some works might not yet be fully accomplished.
We arrived by S-Bahn station "Donnersbergerbrücke", served by all S-Bahn lines from Hauptbahnhof and by S1 and S8 from Munich Airport. Take the exit outbound (not towards direction Hauptbahnhof). There are lifts but the very last portion to bridge level has seven or so steps. So, going there by public transport is easy, with heavy luggage those seven steps could be a little tricky. Eventually you will see the hotel building to the left and only few minutes walk will take you there. It is a double hotel building combining the HGI and the Hampton. For the entrance you have to walk the bridge (or street) all down and circle around the building. The entrance is in the back yard.
The hotel has six levels (if I remember correctly), some rooms will show to the rail and indirectly to the traffic on the bridge, some rooms will show towards the main railway station (two stops away) and a newly built apartment building, some rooms will show to the courtyard looking at the sister hotel Hampton's entrance. The HGI is entangled with the Hampton by architecture. There are shut doors between both at each floor, only to be opened by staff or in case of emergency. The HGI restaurant goes literally into the Hampton ground. - In Krakow there is a double hotel by Doubletree and Hampton and between the lobbies of both there was something which I framed the "time tunnel". Passing through there you ended up in a different hotel world. Here, it looks more separated from each other but in terms of operations they are most likely not.
The lobby is small, the adjacent bar area very welcoming with a lot of airy and cosy space behind. The restaurant, however, looks a bit dark. We had a took with the F&B manager who is a very motivated and efficient guy building up a relaxing atmosphere. In general, staff appeared to be very motivated, at reception, at breakfast and house-keeping. The latter might be hired from a third party as many hotels do.
I asked for a room showing to the railway station, because I enjoy to see the sky and a wider horizon. The room itself was a bit on the small side. I think they are mostly of equal size but differ in layout. Right behind the door there was a table with to small armchairs. Then the desk-board with TV and fridge and a mirror completed that side of the room. To the other side there was the bathroom (shower only) which was on the small side and the king bed. The room had two windows which could be opened partly. The air condition ran well. The location of the table with arm chairs was rather unwelcoming, because it was just behind the door. And when sitting there you looked into the bath room if the door was not shut. The hotel reminded me very much of a newly opened Hampton. The bathroom nearly was a 1:1 copy and the room size might have been a little larger but there are striking similarities.
Breakfast was ok, not overwhelming. But of course with more choices than Hampton breakfast would offer although some items looked rather identical. The man at the egg station was overwhelmed, however, with all the orders he received. Nevertheless, breakfast staff was great and tried to do their best.
It was a good hotel stay and it was most interesting talking to staff when still being in the start-up. I wish them every success! Last not least they add to the local Hilton hotel family.