Alpenhotel, Germany

Although this stylish 40-room hotel is technically speaking in a slightly less salubrious area near Munich's main railway station, it is still perfectly respectable, as are the streets around it - think multi-ethnic Bayswater. It is about a 10 minutes walk with buggy from the main shopping centre and related attractions, so a fantastically central location. The hotel itself has fabulous service and is very family friendly, with teddies and Gummi bears awaiting the kids on their pillows, toys and children's books in the dresser in the lobby, baby equipment available on loan and wonderfully accommodating staff who can't do enough to help. They have family rooms that easily sleep four. The restaurant is terrific and the children's menu consists of simple Bavarian/Italian gourmet food cooked from fresh that the kids wolfed down. Breakfast buffet was also super, and apparently the best hot chocolate the kids have ever tasted. Nice place to base yourself for sightseeing, or visiting Munich Zoo, then to have dinner in the restaurant before putting the kids to bed and returning to the bar for yet another German beer (take a baby alarm though, or use iPhone app). Downside is that the rooms can be a little bit hot in summer, so bear that in mind when planning your trip schedule. However all in all, a real find.