A Year of Thoughtful Travel with Mandarin Oriental
Photography and words by Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Some years are made for collecting stamps. Others are for collecting moments. As 2026 begins to take shape, we invite you to settle into places that reward lingering, where service feels intuitive, and every setting encourages you to be fully present.
Across Europe and Asia, these destinations are less about checking boxes and more about how it feels to wake up there, wander the neighborhood, and return at day’s end to spaces designed with care and calm.
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona
Spain’s Cultural Rhythm
Spain has a way of balancing old-world beauty with modern life, and its cities are best experienced at street level.
At Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, mornings begin with light filtering across Passeig de Gràcia, followed by days spent among Gaudí landmarks, markets, and the Mediterranean shoreline. The hotel’s rooftop offers a quiet perch above the city, while dining by Carme Ruscalleda brings Catalan flavors into sharp focus.
Inland, Madrid feels warmer, both in spirit and pace. From art-filled mornings at the Prado to shaded strolls through Retiro Park, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid places you inside a restored Belle Époque icon, where elegance feels lived-in rather than formal. Thoughtful dining by Quique Dacosta and a serene spa complete the experience.
A Mediterranean Arrival in Mallorca
A new chapter opens on the Balearic coast with the debut of Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca. Set near Puerto Portals, the resort leans into Mallorca’s natural beauty, pairing sea views with understated design. Days unfold through personalized island experiences, wellness rituals, and a culinary program rooted in place, all set to the rhythm of the Mediterranean.
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.
Italy, from City Style to Lakeside Calm
Italy rarely asks you to choose between energy and ease; it offers both.
Mandarin Oriental Milan sits just steps from the Duomo, blending fashion-forward design with a sense of quiet refuge. Michelin-starred dining at Seta, an urban spa, and elegant rooms make it an ideal base for summer days spent shopping, museum hopping, or lingering over espresso.
Farther north, the mood shifts entirely at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Surrounded by botanical gardens and lake views, this retreat feels unhurried and cinematic. Afternoons drift by on the water, followed by evenings defined by wellness rituals and candlelit dinners beside the lake.
Mandarin Oriental, Vienna
Vienna, Seen Through a Softer Lens
With the December 2025 opening of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, the city gains a new perspective on hospitality. Housed in an early-1900s Art Nouveau building near the Ringstrasse, the hotel preserves historic details while offering warm, modern interiors. Vienna reveals itself slowly here, through museum visits, café mornings, and quiet walks that feel timeless in any season.
Enduring Icons: London and Paris
Some cities never lose their pull.
Overlooking Hyde Park, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is within reach of royal landmarks and theater nights, balanced by peaceful park views and refined dining by Heston Blumenthal.
In Paris, Mandarin Oriental, Paris offers a sense of calm just off the city’s grand boulevards. Courtyard gardens, elegant suites, and Michelin-starred restaurants create a gentle counterpoint to the energy of the streets beyond.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Bangkok and a Milestone Celebration
On the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok marks 150 years of hospitality with a series of thoughtfully designed journeys. From heritage-inspired stays that echo the romance of early river travel to bespoke experiences that include private yacht visits to Wat Arun, each option reflects the hotel’s deep connection to place and history. The anniversary experiences invite you to become part of a story still unfolding.
Looking Ahead
Whether your travels lead you to sunlit Mediterranean shores, storied European capitals, or the vibrant pulse of Asia, our friends at Mandarin Oriental have curated settings that encourage curiosity, comfort, and connection. As plans for 2026 take shape, these journeys promise not just beautiful destinations but memories that stay with you long after you return home.