Mandarin Oriental, Munich – Germany’s Best City Hotel 2024

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of fancy hotels in Munich, but the Mandarin Oriental just hits different. You walk into that lobby and there’s this immediate sense that someone actually thought about every single detail – not in an over-the-top way, but more like… well, like how you’d want your own home to feel if money wasn’t an object. The staff doesn’t hover or put on that fake hospitality act you get at some luxury places. They’re just genuinely good at what they do, which honestly makes all the difference when you’re dealing with jet lag or trying to figure out dinner plans.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to feel distinctly Munich without going overboard with the Bavarian theme stuff. I mean, you’re right in the heart of the city – you can actually walk to Marienplatz in about ten minutes, and the Frauenkirche towers are practically outside your window depending on which room you get. The location is kind of perfect because you’re close enough to everything that matters but tucked away from the tourist chaos. Pro tip: if you’re there during Oktoberfest season (which, let’s be honest, starts way earlier than October these days), book way ahead because the whole city goes absolutely mental. But even during the madness, coming back to the hotel feels like stepping into this calm bubble.

The rooms themselves are spacious in a way that’s rare for European city hotels – you can actually open your suitcase without having to climb over it to get to the bathroom. And speaking of bathrooms, they’ve got these deep soaking tubs that are perfect after spending a day walking around the Altstadt on cobblestones. The beds are ridiculous in the best way possible, though I’ll warn you that checkout becomes genuinely difficult. You know what surprised me most though? The sound insulation is incredible. Munich can get pretty lively, especially on weekends when people are bar-hopping through Schwabing, but you’d never know it from inside. I’m someone who usually travels with earplugs, but I didn’t need them here at all. The whole experience just feels effortless – from the moment you walk in until you’re reluctantly heading to the airport. It’s the kind of place that makes other hotels seem like they’re trying too hard, if that makes sense.

The concierge service in Munich can arrange exclusive castle tours, secure reservations at traditional beer halls, and organize day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps.

Facilities