The Charles Hotel in Munich unveils a striking ground floor renovation, blending modern design with botanical elements inspired by the Old Botanical Garden.
The Charles Hotel in Munich has reopened its ground floor following a major renovation, introducing a new look inspired by the neighbouring Old Botanical Garden. The project, completed in May 2025, covers the lobby, restaurant, bar, terrace, and a new private dining space.
New Look, Familiar Faces
The redesign was led by Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels. The three worked closely to give the ground floor a more open, welcoming feel while bringing in natural materials, botanical references, and warm tones throughout.
Public-facing spaces have all been overhauled: the lobby, the main restaurant (now named Florio), a newly built bar called the Circle Bar, and the outdoor terrace. Each has its own identity but shares a consistent palette and design language.
A Lighter, More Open Lobby
The new lobby sets the tone. A long table sits in the centre, surrounded by sculptural floral displays and classic statues. Behind the reception desk, a curved plasterwork installation by French artist François Mascarello gives the space a focal point without being overly formal.
The aim was to make the entrance feel calm and informal, while still clearly high-end. Botanical elements continue across the space but aren’t overdone.
Florio Restaurant and Bar
The hotel’s new restaurant is under the guidance of Fulvio Pierangelini, Creative Director of Food at Rocco Forte Hotels. His approach is relaxed and ingredient-led. The setting matches this, moss green wallpaper, olive trees, and framed botanical prints make the space feel fresh but grounded.
Next to it, the Florio Bar carries over the same palette with rainforest green marble counters, green benches, and large potted plants. The bar uses Indian Rainforest Gold marble and dark wood to warm the space up.
Drinks focus on aperitivo-style options: wines by the glass, 1, spirits, and smaller dishes.
A Private Room for Dining or Events
Tucked just behind Florio is the new Private Dining Room. It can be part of the main restaurant or sectioned off by sliding doors. The walls are decorated with floral murals, and the parquet flooring adds warmth.
In the mornings, it hosts the breakfast buffet. In the evenings, it’s set aside for private dinners or small events.
The Terrace
The terrace now covers 200 square metres and follows the same visual direction. Furniture is in soft green wrought iron with mix-and-match cushions. There are parasols for shade and large floor lanterns for the evening.
Two new light sculptures from Haberdashery hang overhead, each made from 258 porcelain leaves, some with metal glazes. Suspended from fine threads, they shift in the light as the day changes.
Circle Bar
The Circle Bar is a new addition. Its name references the round shape of the room and a large steel ring sculpture by Mauro Staccioli outside the hotel. The bar draws loosely from Art Deco design, clean lines, symmetry, and a focus on materials.
1 is the focus, but there’s also a selection of patisserie, coffee and tea throughout the day. It’s open from mid-morning until early evening.
Hours
- Florio Restaurant: Lunch from 12:00–14:30, Dinner 18:00–22:30 (last orders at 22:00)
- Florio Bar: 12:00–00:00 Sunday to Thursday, until 01:00 Friday and Saturday
- Terrace: 12:00–23:00, weather permitting
- Circle Bar: 10:30–20:00 daily
The Charles Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Charles Hotel is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group and sits in central Munich between Karlsplatz and Königsplatz, next to the Old Botanical Garden. It has 160 rooms and suites, starting from 40 square metres, among the largest in the city.
The hotel is listed among the “101 Best Hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland” and is a member of the “Leading Hotels of the World.”
Rocco Forte Hotels
The family-run group was founded in 1996 by Sir Rocco Forte and Olga Polizzi. It includes 15 properties across Europe and offers a mix of city hotels, resorts, and residences. Each is designed to reflect its location.
Properties include Brown’s Hotel in London, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, and Villa Igiea in Palermo. Upcoming openings include The Carlton in Milan (2025) and a property in Costa Smeralda (2026), with others in the pipeline for Naples and Sicily.
Looking Ahead
This renovation gives The Charles Hotel a new sense of identity while keeping its reputation for comfort and service intact. The updated ground floor spaces are likely to attract both regular guests and new visitors looking for somewhere that feels connected to the city, but set slightly apart from it.
