Maria Diego
July 10, 2026
Getting to there:
Munich is a natural hub for many flight routings, and the city itself is deserving of a 2-night minimum stay for your connection. As a long-time travel advisor, Germany is an often-overlooked country within Europe, but the country as a whole is truly one of my favorites. The heart of Old Town Munich is about 45 minutes from Munich International Airport. Traveling through Frankfurt and you’d still like to experience Munich? It’s just a 3-hour 20-minute train ride.
If the Rosewood Munich is the glamorous newcomer drawing diplomats and celebrities with its buzzy bar scene, the Mandarin Oriental is the discreet institution that the city’s most discerning travelers have been quietly returning to for decades. Its intimate size ensures that every guest feels personally attended to from the moment they are welcomed with a glass of Moët & Chandon at check-in to the instant a doorman bids them a warm “auf Wiedersehen” upon checkout. There is no scene here to see and be seen in — and for many guests, that is precisely the point.
Accommodations
Rooms are individually designed with an East-meets-West aesthetic, and at 73 keys total, are some of the largest in Munich.
Rooms are soundproofed, many feature high ceilings, and private bathrooms are fitted with a Turkish steam bath, sauna, hair dryer, and plush bathrobes. All rooms offer 24-hour room service and premium bedding, with thoughtful extras like pillow menus and laptop-friendly workspaces — a nod to today’s modern traveler.
During my site visit, I was struck by the Tower Suite in particular: a separate living room in the building’s corner turret with a semicircular sofa, views over the city, and a main bathroom tiled in deep-veined white marble and black stone with a free-standing soaking tub and rainfall shower. The rooms feel curated rather than designed by committee — each one has its own distinct character.
This is where the Mandarin Oriental truly sets itself apart. Matsuhisa Munich brings the renowned Japanese-Peruvian cuisine of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa to the heart of Bavaria — a combination you simply won’t find at any other hotel in the city. It’s unexpected, world-class, and wholly memorable. For something more relaxed, The Lounge is the ideal spot for afternoon tea, cake specialties, and all-day dining with international options. And when the season allows, the rooftop terrace offers a full 360-degree view of the city with summer snacks and drinks that make for an unforgettable evening in Munich.
The spa and wellness center features a sauna, steam room, and a range of treatments including body wraps, massages, and beauty therapies. Guests can unwind at the rooftop pool and sun terrace with breathtaking views of the city — a seasonal but spectacular retreat above the rooftops of Old Town. The fitness center is available around the clock for those who like to keep their routine while traveling.
Its history, its scale, and its restaurant. Named Germany’s Best City Hotel in 2024, the Mandarin Oriental has earned its reputation not through reinvention but through consistency. The East-meets-West design sensibility, Nobu Matsuhisa’s flagship restaurant, and a staff that remembers your name set it apart in a city that now has no shortage of excellent luxury options.
The deeply personal service at this hotel is something you feel from the first moment. Guests consistently note that staff — from the bellman to the front desk to the restaurant team — remember names and anticipate needs throughout the stay. Paired with the Matsuhisa dining experience and the rooftop pool, this is a hotel that rewards guests who take the time to slow down and settle in.
Extras You’ll Get with Diego Travel
At Diego Travel, we are proud Preferred Partners with Mandarin Oriental, which means our clients receive exclusive Fan Club Amenities when booking through us — and trust me, these perks consistently outshine what you’ll find booking through any other channel. Fan Club benefits are designed to elevate your stay from the moment you arrive. Reach out through diegotravel.com/book to ensure your Mandarin Oriental Munich booking comes with everything it deserves.
Mandarin Oriental Fan Club
Daily breakfast
Room upgrades
Hotel credit
Welcome amenity
Don’t miss Matsuhisa for dinner — book well in advance as it draws both hotel guests and locals alike. And if you’re visiting in warmer months, the rooftop terrace is a non-negotiable sundowner stop with some of the best views in the city. As with the Rosewood, the hotel sits steps from Maximilianstraße — perfect for a morning stroll before the boutiques open and the crowds arrive.
My site visit to the Mandarin Oriental Munich left a strong impression. This is a hotel for the traveler who values intimacy over spectacle, legacy over novelty. It doesn’t need to compete with the Rosewood Munich — it occupies an entirely different emotional register. If Rosewood is the hotel that takes your breath away upon arrival, the Mandarin Oriental is the one that earns your loyalty over time, visit after visit, through flawless service and an atmosphere of refined calm. Munich is lucky to have both, and your choice between them really comes down to the experience you’re seeking.
