Just in time for the start of an exciting Munich summer season with concerts by various superstars and a series of matches as part of the European Football Championship at the Allianz Arena, the first German Zuma pop-up opened its doors at The Charles Hotel last month.
The pop-up is open daily from 1pm to midnight and can be experienced until August 31. “Typically, the German food and beverage scene is about schnitzels and sausages, sauerkraut and hops, which is great but we chose a culinary experience that the Middle East recognises and loves,” Florian Steinmaier, General Manager of the Rocco Forte Hotel – The Charles Hotel, Munich, tells TTN Middle East’s Publishing Director, Kim Thomson, in an interview. “The majority of the team organising the pop-up here have been flown from Dubai because they know the clients directly and also the level of service they expect.” The Charles Hotel already receives guests from the Arab world with Munich being such a popular destination. “There is also a strong link to medical tourism, medical treatments and this includes rehabilitation afterwards. One of the advantages we have is the weather, clean air, abundant nature with mountains and lakes, and so when it comes down to rehabilitation, we see clients stay longer, up to six and eight weeks,” the general manager tells us. Steinmaier talks about the recent and ongoing refurbishment at The Charles Hotel, Munich. “We have invested two million euros renovating the top four floors of the hotel from fourth floor to the eighth floor using the time over Covid-19,” he says. “We are going to invest a further five million euros into the property to include refreshes to our lobby, restaurants and 62 suites with park views. As it is the peak season for us until October, this investment is still under planning and will be executed from November this year to April 2025.” Set within the verdant Lenbachgärten quarter and close to the historic Königsplatz, the effortlessly elegant Charles Hotel in Munich is where contemporary style meets traditional Bavarian hospitality. “What we have done in our hotel is opted for brighter colours, whereas some of the new and newly refurbished properties entering the market feel more masculine when compared to our hotel,” the general manager explains. Saudi Arabia’s PIF has invested a 49 per cent stake into Rocco Forte Hotels. “With this, we now have a very strong partner who will help us also in the way forward, getting our foot into the Middle East Market. Sir Rocco and his son Charles are looking into opportunities and we will soon announce something soon in regards to Dubai and I am sure in Saudi too.”