Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Care: Mandarin Oriental, Munich Achieves GSTC Certification
Mandarin Oriental, Munich, an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city’s historic Old Town, has achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certification following a rigorous on-site assessment conducted by UCSL United Certification Systems Ltd, a GSTC-accredited certification body.
Housed within a historic Neo-Renaissance building, Mandarin Oriental, Munich seamlessly blends the city’s rich cultural heritage with refined luxury and contemporary design. UCSL’s auditors have independently verified its sustainability efforts across all four pillars of the GSTC framework: effective sustainable management, social and economic benefits for the local community, protection of cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility. The hotel successfully met all requirements of the GSTC Hotel Standard, the world’s highest benchmark for sustainable tourism, and demonstrated clearly defined objectives and strategies to support continual improvement across its sustainability performance.
Housed within a historic Neo-Renaissance building, Mandarin Oriental, Munich seamlessly blends the city’s rich cultural heritage with refined luxury and contemporary design. UCSL’s auditors have independently verified its sustainability efforts across all four pillars of the GSTC framework: effective sustainable management, social and economic benefits for the local community, protection of cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility. The hotel successfully met all requirements of the GSTC Hotel Standard, the world’s highest benchmark for sustainable tourism, and demonstrated clearly defined objectives and strategies to support continual improvement across its sustainability performance.
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“Mandarin Oriental, Munich demonstrates a highly mature and well-governed approach to sustainability, consistently applied across its operations. Guided by data-driven improvement, strong colleague engagement, and close collaboration with local partners, the hotel ensures progress is measured and strengthened over time. Congratulations to the hotel’s team, whose care and commitment extend beyond the property itself and establish a clear reference point for responsible luxury within the wider industry.”
At Mandarin Oriental, Munich, sustainability is approached with the same precision and long-term vision that define its luxury experience. The hotel operates under a fully integrated Sustainability Management System aligned with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s global framework, covering environmental, social, cultural, human rights, and risk management dimensions. Sustainability performance is reviewed through formal committees, defined KPIs, and annual targets.
Environmental stewardship is expressed through thoughtful design choices and responsible operations that quietly enhance the guest experience. The property has eliminated 99% of single-use plastics, introduced energy-efficient lighting and motion sensors throughout guest and back-of-house areas, and implemented water-saving technologies that treat resources with care and respect. Energy and environmental performance are continuously monitored through advanced digital tools, including the GreenView Portal and a central Building Management System, enabling measurable progress and informed action. In the kitchens, Winnow AI technology supports food waste reduction.
Environmental stewardship is expressed through thoughtful design choices and responsible operations that quietly enhance the guest experience. The property has eliminated 99% of single-use plastics, introduced energy-efficient lighting and motion sensors throughout guest and back-of-house areas, and implemented water-saving technologies that treat resources with care and respect. Energy and environmental performance are continuously monitored through advanced digital tools, including the GreenView Portal and a central Building Management System, enabling measurable progress and informed action. In the kitchens, Winnow AI technology supports food waste reduction.
Equally important is the hotel’s commitment to people, place, and cultural integrity. Mandarin Oriental, Munich works closely with local suppliers, artisans, and community partners, reinforcing its connection to Bavaria’s craftsmanship and culinary heritage while supporting the regional economy. The hotel works closely with local Bavarian suppliers for key food items including bread, cheese, eggs, honey, coffee, and fresh produce. Where products cannot be sourced locally, Mandarin Oriental, Munich ensures they are fair-trade or certified (MSC/ASC, FSC, Fairtrade), in line with its responsible procurement commitments. The hotel’s team plays an active role through structured sustainability training and ongoing local engagement initiatives.
These highlights offer a glimpse into Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s enduring commitment to sustainability. For more information about Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s initiatives, please visit the dedicated page.
These highlights offer a glimpse into Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s enduring commitment to sustainability. For more information about Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s initiatives, please visit the dedicated page.
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At Mandarin Oriental, Munich, our commitment to sustainability is an integral part of who we are. Guided by the values that define Mandarin Oriental, we strive to operate responsibly, with deep respect for our community, our cultural heritage, and the environment that surrounds us. Achieving GSTC Certification is an important milestone that reflects the dedication of our colleagues across every department, whose daily actions bring this commitment to life. The rigor and depth of the audit conducted by UCSL provided meaningful insight into our ongoing sustainability journey.
Mandarin Oriental, Munich joins a growing number of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group properties that have achieved GSTC Certification, reflecting the Group’s global ambition to lead luxury hospitality with purpose, integrity, and care for future generations.
About Mandarin Oriental, Munich
Quietly tucked away in a side street, yet centrally located near the famed Maximilianstrasse, Mandarin Oriental, Munich is an elegant gem, combining timeless, sophisticated charm with a contemporary, modern design and subtle Oriental accents. The hotel provides the highest levels of personalized service in the very city center and is home to a selection of stylish, elegant restaurants and bars, including Matsuhisa, Munich by world renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The hotel's elegant and spacious 48 guestrooms and 25 suites offer the finest in international luxury and, along with the stunning rooftop, feature views that stretch across the picturesque surroundings of the old town.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Each outstanding property reflects the Group’s dual Asian heritage, while proudly distilling the Essence of the Destination, reflected in every hotel’s own fan - carefully crafted by local artisans. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group’s mission is to craft time-enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 45 hotels, 12 residences and 35 exceptional homes in 28 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is an independent certification body, headquartered in the EU and operating worldwide. Proud to be one of the first GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we provide certification services that align with the highest standards in luxury hospitality, bringing unparalleled expertise to the forefront. Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading positive change within the tourism industry.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term GSTC Certification specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
Quietly tucked away in a side street, yet centrally located near the famed Maximilianstrasse, Mandarin Oriental, Munich is an elegant gem, combining timeless, sophisticated charm with a contemporary, modern design and subtle Oriental accents. The hotel provides the highest levels of personalized service in the very city center and is home to a selection of stylish, elegant restaurants and bars, including Matsuhisa, Munich by world renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The hotel's elegant and spacious 48 guestrooms and 25 suites offer the finest in international luxury and, along with the stunning rooftop, feature views that stretch across the picturesque surroundings of the old town.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Each outstanding property reflects the Group’s dual Asian heritage, while proudly distilling the Essence of the Destination, reflected in every hotel’s own fan - carefully crafted by local artisans. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group’s mission is to craft time-enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 45 hotels, 12 residences and 35 exceptional homes in 28 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is an independent certification body, headquartered in the EU and operating worldwide. Proud to be one of the first GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we provide certification services that align with the highest standards in luxury hospitality, bringing unparalleled expertise to the forefront. Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading positive change within the tourism industry.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term GSTC Certification specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
January 21, 2026