The Charles Hotel, Munich, has unveiled its newly redesigned Monforte Royal Suite, led by Magdalena Onisko in collaboration with Olga Polizzi.
Perched on the top floor, the Monforte Royal Suite – named for the remote Italian mountain village of Monforte, set 2,500 feet above sea level and overlooking the picturesque Valle di Comino, an ancestral home of the Forte family – offers an elevated experience in both design and view.
The private outdoor terrace reveals breathtaking panoramic views of Munich’s architectural landmarks, rising above the remains of the Old Botanical Garden just across the way. The sense of height and beauty is deeply connected to the suite’s namesake.
Inside, the suite comprises a sequence of rooms, each connected by large double doors, creating not only a sense of openness and space, but a feeling of connectivity and fluid interchange.
The dialogue between each room’s design, colour palette, material selection and unique atmosphere, is central to the overall design intention, creating an exciting and immersive living experience.
At the heart of the suite is the dining room, featuring a 1950s dining table attributed to renowned French metalworker Raymond Subes. Crafted from wrought iron in elegant, curving forms and topped with thick glass, the table is paired in striking contrast with plush velvet chairs in a bold coral hue.
Many elements in the space feature organic shapes, echoing the suite’s architecture, which draws influence from the Art Deco style. The warm colour palette, in an ochre sandy tone, is related to the Italian influence on Munich’s architecture.
In contrast to this backdrop stands the newly designed bespoke bar cabinet, finished in black stone and wood, with refined touches of antique brass detailing. Mirrored wall panelling reflects light, enhances the overall aesthetic and highlights the room’s sense of grandeur and playfulness.
The suite’s curated art selection plays a vital role in the story and authenticity of its interior design. It serves as a bridge between Munich’s cultural identity, the local context of the hotel’s neighbourhood and its layered history – including the remains of the nearby Old Botanical Garden and the lost Glass Palace that was almost exclusively used for international art exhibitions and artist festivals. It also reflects the Italian and English heritage of the Forte family, uniting past and present in a thoughtfully composed artistic narrative.
