History

You don’t become one of the world’s leading hotels overnight. Here, you can find out more about the history of our establishment.

 
 
 
 
 

1839

King Ludwig I. expresses his desire for a first-class hotel to Joseph Anton von Maffei. Maffei then commissions Friedrich von Gärtner, the king’s favourite architect.

 
 
 
 
 

1841

The Bayerischer Hof opens its doors on 15 October. Maffei remains the hotel’s leaseholder until his death.

 
 
 
 
 

1897

Herrmann Volkhardt purchases the Bayerischer Hof for the sum of 2,850,000 Goldmarks, buys further properties and expands the hotel.

 
 
 
 
 

1909

Herrmann Volkhardt passes away on Christmas Eve. His son Hermann takes over at the helm and steers the hotel through wars and crises. Meanwhile, son Wilhelm takes over the family wine business, which was established in 1903.

 
 
 
 
 

1944

The hotel is almost completely destroyed by bombs in the small hours of 25 April, with only the hall of mirrors left unscathed.

 
 
 
 
 

1945

Falk Volkhardt returns from the war and helps his father rebuild the hotel. In October, Munich’s first post-war restaurant opens in the hall of mirrors.

 
 
 
 
 

1955

Hermann Volkhardt dies. His son Falk becomes the third generation of the family to take over the hotel on Promenadeplatz square and the wine business.

 
 
 
 
 

1969

Palais Monteglas is added to Hotel Bayerischer Hof, with Falk Volkhardt also buying Kitzbühel’s Hotel Zur Tenne in the same year.

 
 
 
 
 

1972

Renovation work on Palais Monteglas is completed in time for the Olympic Games and the building celebrates its grand opening.

The hotel becomes a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

 
 
 
 
 

1974

The Hotel Bayerischer Hof is the first German hotel to be named amongst the Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

 
 
 
 
 

1992

Innegrit Volkhardt takes charge of the hotel as the fourth generation of the family and draws up a modernisation plan. Refurbishment and renovation work has been going on ever since, with the total volume of the investments now standing at €150 million. Hotel Zur Tenne in Kitzbühel has also been modernised, as has the wine business in Pasing.

 
 
 
 
 

2005

An extra storey was built onto the hotel in 2005 and Andrée Putman completes the Blue Spa above the Munich skyline. The sliding glass roof is the hotel’s crowning glory, enabling our guests to enjoy a bath and relax near the pool during every season. The Dachterasse offers breathtaking views over Munich and its landmark “Frauenkirche”.

 
 
 
 
 

2009

The renowned interior designer Axel Vervoordt takes over a hotel project for the first time in his career and designs the restaurant Garden and Atelier. Already in the first year after its opening, the restaurant Atelier is awarded with a Michelin star and 17 Gault Millau points.

 
 
 
 
 

2011

The hotel’s very own cinema, the astor@Cinema Lounge opens and our guests get to experience the show on cozy lounge sofas. With 38 seats, the Cinema Lounge is also a unique venue for press conferences, film screenings, presentations and private events. Also designed by Axel Vervoordt, the cinemas design is kept in decent and earthy tones.

 
 
 
 
 

2013

The design duo Sanjit Manuk, which has been working together successfully for years on well-known projects in Paris, Tokyo and Singapore, now takes on one of the fines projects in Munich- the roof top garden and lounge at the hotel Bayerischer Hof.

 
 
 
 
 

2016

The Palaishalle and the nearby Alkoven are renewed by the Belgian interior designer Axel Vervoordt and transformed into a multifunctional event hall with a timeless Patina. The perfect location for concerts, exhibitions, receptions and dinner events.

 
 
 
 
 

2017

Head chef Jan Hartwig and his team turn culinary perfection into fine art and thereby are awarded the third Michelin star. The design by Axel Vervoordt, exudes the luxurious and tasteful flair of an artist’s atelier combined with an intimate atmosphere and makes dinner a true experience.

 
 
 
 
 

2018

After 17 months of construction work the new south and north wing are opened at the beginning of the year. A total of 29 new rooms were created, including the "Penthouse Garden Suite". With a size of 350 m² it represents the highlight of the new part of the building. The terrace spanning three sides, is planted with greenery and equipped with elegant furniture where guests can enjoy the breathtaking view over Munich. And there are already plans for more innovative projects.

 
 
 
 
 

2019

With the renovation of the restaurant Palais Keller, a piece of tradition has been combined with the presence. The Belgian interior designer Axel Vervoordt lets the historic vault shine in new splendour without changing its unique charm and creates a place which invites guests to stay a little longer.

 
 
 
 
 

2020

The renovation of the event rooms in our Palais Montgelas is now the seventh project implemented by the renowned Belgian interior designer and art dealer Axel Vervoordt in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Each of the 14 rooms inspires with its individuality, which has been artistically combined with the unique history of this magnificent building. The elegant design offers the perfect setting for every occasion - whether business meeting, private celebration or festive wedding. Discover our new Palais Montgelas in a virtual tour.

 
 
 
 
 

2024

The Atrium is now the eighth project in collaboration with the renowned Belgian interior designer and art dealer Axel Vervoordt at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, and it immerses the heart of the hotel in a vibrant, bright light that allows guests to immerse themselves in a relaxing and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.

© 2024 Hotel Bayerischer Hof