Mandarin Oriental, Munich

The Mandarin Oriental is housed in a seven-story neo-Renaissance building. Erected in 1880, the building once served as Munich's opera house, and was converted into a hotel in 1990. The interiors have a discreet, refined ambience. The lobby is a blend of antique and contemporary styles, decorated in tones of gold and bronze, with high ceilings, white pillars, carved details, and heavy wood pieces all adding an unmistakable touch of class. The stylish lobby lounge, with a fireplace and circular granite-topped bar, is a popular gathering spot, as is the seasonal rooftop swimming pool offering 360-degree views of the neighboring Alps and the city's red rooftops from the deck. The adjacent alfresco lounge serves cocktails in an inviting space with wicker chairs, orange-cushioned sofas, and Asian-inspired statues. With its wealth of amenities and central location near shopping and attractions, the hotel draws well-heeled international travelers, including couples, families, and those in the city for business.

Other superlatives aside, this hotel also has an excellent central location in Munich's Old Town, within walking and biking distance of several attractions. Numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs are in the immediate vicinity, and the Maximilianstrasse, with its high-end shopping, is a two-minute walk from the hotel. The famous Hofbrauhaus am Platzl beer hall is less than a two-minute walk from the hotel as well, and the daily farmers' market is a five-minute walk. The Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church), Marienplatz Square, and New Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel are about a five-minute walk away, as are the Bavarian State Opera and Munich Residenz royal palace. Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), which offers terrific views of the city and Bavarian Alps from its towers, is about a 10-minute walk. The hotel is a two-minute walk to the Tal bus stop, a five-minute walk to the Marienplatz U-bahn station, and a seven-minute walk to the Isartor S-bahn and light rail station. It's about a 10-minute trip by S-bahn or car to Munich Central Station. The southern end of the English Garden, Munich's largest park, is about a 10-minute trip on the light rail. Munich International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the Mandarin Oriental, or 40 minutes away by S-Bahn from Isartor station.

The 73 rooms, which include 25 suites, have luxurious -- but restrained -- decor, with cherry-wood Biedermeier-style furnishings, white-cotton bedding with decorative throws, and a few pieces of Asian art on the otherwise bare walls. It's a look that blends vintage style with couture details, much like the rest of the hotel. Most rooms have a cream-gold-and brown color palette. High ceilings are the norm -- some as high as 18 feet -- and elegant details include parquet floors, rosewood paneling, silk curtains, Oriental rugs, and Asian antiques. Some suites have sofas and French doors opening onto balconies.

Rooms are spacious, ranging from 327 square feet (30 square meters) to 545 square feet (50 square meters); suites range from 545 square feet (50 square meters) to 3,498 square feet (325 square meters), and a few have terraces. Beds come with goose-down duvets, thick mattresses, and cotton linens. All 73 rooms and suites come with twice-daily housekeeping, turn-down service, desks, safes, Nespresso machines, and free bottled water, welcome fruit baskets, and minibars with a few free items that are replenished daily. The stereo systems and flat-screen TVs are Bang & Olufsen, but guests have complained that some are set on the credenzas at odd angles, which can make it difficult to watch TV in bed. All rooms feature butler service upon request. Wi-Fi is free under certain booking conditions.

Marble bathrooms are spacious and well-lighted, and have heated floors and towel racks, bidets, premium bath products, and bathrobes. Walk-in showers are separate from the deep bathtubs. Some bathrooms have TVs. While the abundance of marble is certainly luxurious, the bathrooms don't feel quite as airy and elegant as might be expected at this category.

There are a number of features at this hotel, many of which aren't common to have in central Munich. The seasonal rooftop pool offers 360-degree views of Munich and its red rooftops, along with an adjacent bar serving inventive cocktails and a menu tinged with Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern influences. There's also a small fitness center with personal training sessions available (for a fee), a kinesis wall that gives computerized assessments, a Turkish steam bath, Finnish wood sauna, and full-service spa and salon with a wide range of massages and beauty treatments for a fee. 

The hotel's acclaimed restaurant includes a live cooking counter and serves Japanese-Peruvian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood -- 24-hour room service is available. The stylish bar serves dishes from the restaurant and also pours classic cocktails. The breakfast buffet offers a wide range of high-quality fare and comes at an additional charge. The lobby lounge offers a selection of coffees, teas, pastries, and international snacks, and hosts an afternoon tea on the weekends. 

The Mandarin lends bicycles at no extra charge. The hotel also has a dedicated concierge, bell staff, doorman, meeting rooms, a business corner with a computer and printer, limo service (for a fee), and valet parking (for a fee). Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is only free for guests with certain restrictions and conditions.