Mandarin Oriental invites guests to immerse themselves in culture with curated experiences available to book through select properties across three continents. Guests will be able to engage with the destination’s local communities and traditions in an authentic and meaningful way through hands-on workshops, bespoke tours and exclusive activities.
Here is a selection of some of the cultural experiences available to book exclusively through Mandarin Oriental:
Among the range of offerings available at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum is the "Cooking Class and Turkish Ceramic Workshop" in the village of Sirince. Guests are invited to a hands-on cooking session under the guidance of skilled chefs. Following this, guests will be taken to the Turkish Ceramic Workshop where they will craft intricate pottery pieces inspired by centuries-old techniques.
Guests staying at Mandarin Oriental, Doha, can discover Msheireb Downtown with a complimentary and private experience led by the hotel’s concierge team. Guests will learn about the traditions of the historic neighborhood and learn about Qatari heritage and modern innovation. Additionally, they can enjoy a personalized and complimentary guided tour of The Carpet Cellar. This collection has some of the finest examples of carpets and textiles produced for the elite of the Mughal empire. Guests are welcomed with a fragrant Kashmiri saffron tea known as “kahwa.”
Art and culture enthusiasts will adore Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul’s bespoke tours of the city’s galleries and museums. Additionally, they can enjoy a bespoke tour, “A Journey Through the History of Turkish Art.” Participants can peer inside the minds of Sultan Suleiman and Rustem Pasha at the Ottoman-era Rustem Pasha Mosque, which is adorned in emblematic Iznik tiles, and learn about the symbolic history of Turkish carpets at the Carpet Museum. They can even try their hand at creating something, with a carpet-making or Ottoman miniature-painting workshop.
Guests can explore one of Milan’s richest art collections housed within a 19th-century mansion, just steps from Mandarin Oriental, Milan. This private experience led by the museum director or curator will guide guests on tour through the collection of cultural treasures, including Renaissance paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Piero della Francesca and Andrea Mantegna. The tour will also showcase a private collection of netsuke, Oriental art, clocks and watches. Tip: The museum can also be privatized for the entire visit.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei offers guests an exclusive culinary opportunity with its Xiao Long Bao making class. Xiao Long Bao are famed for their thin, tender skin encasing a filling of meat, seafood or vegetables in a rich broth. During the 90-minute class, guests will learn the artistry of crafting these delicate, soupy dumplings under the guidance of the hotel’s chef de cuisine of Ya Ge, the Chinese restaurant awarded by the Michelin Guide with a one-star rating since 2018. They will then enjoy their creations as part of a set dinner menu.
Guests staying at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo can learn the ancient art of washi paper making at Ozuwashi’s studio. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, they will learn to transform raw materials such as mulberry fibers into delicate sheets of washi. After the class, participants will take home the washi paper they have created. Additionally, guests can embark on a day trip to Gora Kadan, an onsen retreat in Hakone, a stone’s throw away from Tokyo. Guests can relax in the therapeutic waters of natural hot springs, surrounded by lush landscapes and views of Mount Fuji.
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