Travel is good for the soul. Good for the mind, Great for the heart. But every weary traveler needs somewhere to rest their head at the end of the day. We were left longing for that home from home sleep in the near perfect Louis hotel, Munich. We had travelled to Munich in the Bavaria region of Germany to experience the magical Christmas markets and sample one of the stylish design hotels which looked so good on paper.

  
The view from our balcony over the market below was an impressive start. With over twenty Christmas markets in Munich, you will struggle to visit them all! Our check in was swift and efficient. There was a great buzz about reception with people mingling around drink in hand, possibly waiting to be seated at the adjoining Japanese modern eaterie – Emiko. The Louis hotel has a stylish and somewhat elegant feel to it. We soon snuggled up to the cosy bar next to reception after check in, eager to sample the impressive gin selection on offer. The plethora of Japanese small plates and sushi to graze on was very nice too.  Two happy guys! 

  
 
Our weekend was shaping up perfect. Christmas was in the air. Good food, great little bar, markets on our doorstep and the location overall was fantastic. What could be better? Alas there had to be something, and there was. Wether your paying a premium for a design hotel, or on a tight budget, the bed is the main reason you need a hotel. Take everything else out of the equation. The designer furniture, the stylish lobby, the service provided. Strip it all back and start with the bed. THE most important part of ANY hotel. The Louis seems to think that a flimsy sponge mattress the depth of you’re hand on a hard frame is luxurious bedding.  On both evenings we slept terribly and woke very early each morning with sore stiff backs. On further investigation it seems that every room has this type of bed. Design and style before substance it seems. Very disappointing, especially for the premium price you are paying. Five star prices, four star surroundings and with hostel type bedding. It really is that bad, and on later reading reviews, we are not the first to mention this. Management are you listening?

  

The Louis is so close to being so good. The look, the feel, the stylish beautiful people that adorn and frequent it. We really liked the hotel. The beds however will ensure we won’t be back. Visit the Louis hotel, but for the sake of your back and a good nights sleep, don’t stay the night.  

 

Luciano Pavarotti once said ‘ One of the very nicest things about life, is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ‘ Ok, so you may have to wait maybe several months to get a weekend table at Ireland’s latest Michelin star adorned eaterie but boy, your attention will surly not wain once seated.  Belfast based Ox is most certainly worth the wait. When we arrived early Saturday evening, our dining guests had yet to arrive, so we were ushered next door to Cave, the adjoining wine bar. Chic and sexy, both places ooze  sophistication and class. I stopped and thought about that last line, can a restaurant be sexy? If what they serve to you over the course of the evening is anything to go by then yes, yes it can! 

  
After a quick sample of the exceptional wine selection on offer in Cave,  our fellow guests arrived and we got seated quickly upstairs overlooking the bustling dining area below us. We all opted for the seven course tasting menu with paired wines. The element of surprise in letting the kitchen send us our meal of their choosing, along with our sommelier choosing our wines for the evening was too good to pass on. 

  
 Ox is owned by two long term friends, both with a lifelong passion for food and using seasonal local products along with the best of locally reared meat and fresh local fish. And it shows in the finished product. You are in safe hands with locally born Stephen and Britany native Alain. 

 

My favourite course of the evening had to be the sublimely cooked duck. Photographs do no justice to any of the food that was on offer, but believe us, the culinary journey that you will take over your three hours or so in wonderful Ox is one to savour. Exemplary service from start to finish with the freshest finest foods on offer locally, and served to you each time as a complete work of art. The fabulous Ox, try it. We guarantee you will love it.