Name: Michael Ziemer
Title: General manager
Company, city: Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Number of employees: 650
Recent project: Concept changes for two restaurants: from formal French to all-day dining, and from a Cantonese to a Chinese restaurant serving specialties from around China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
First job: Hotel management trainee in Sydney, Australia
Little-known fact about you: I truly enjoy the simpler things in life!
Your Business
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years?
As automation and technology take over routine tasks, authentic face-to-face service will become rarer and increasingly valued by guests. This shift means hospitality professionals must preserve and refine interpersonal skills—especially when engaging younger travelers who may expect digital-first interactions. We will need to invest more time and training into meaningful communication, ensuring staff can combine modern efficiency with genuine human connection.
Best career advice you’ve received:
Every morning when you look in the mirror, believe in what you see and be true to yourself.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field?
Take your time and embrace every experience, positive or challenging. Be prepared to make sacrifices, learn from setbacks, and remember those who helped you along the way. As you grow, give back and mentor others—hospitality thrives on shared knowledge and generosity.
Michael Ziemer as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: Hiring a car in Leeds, driving through the Yorkshire countryside to York and Whitby, and experiencing the atmospheric British moors.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Pack room for an extra fold-up bag—you never know what you’ll pick up on the road.
Best advice for business travelers: Trust your hotel’s laundry service; they’re experienced and reliable.
About Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
What can premium travelers expect from a stay at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei?
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei delivers refined luxury, attentive service and thoughtful design at every touchpoint. From reservation to departure, guests receive polished, personalized care. The hotel offers 256 guestrooms and 47 suites—the most spacious in the city—starting at 590 square feet. Each room combines classic inspiration with contemporary details, featuring up-to-date technology, elegant marble bathrooms and walk-in closets. Suite guests enjoy access to the Oriental Club, which provides a Champagne breakfast and evening cocktails in an exclusive setting.
Rooted in the brand’s heritage and inspired by local wellness traditions, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei offers tailored treatments aimed at restoring balance and vitality. Therapies are designed to relax the body, calm the mind and refresh the spirit, with bespoke journeys created for each guest.
Tell our readers about the hotel’s dining concept.
The hotel presents six distinctive dining venues, each with its own character and culinary focus. The Jade Lounge is renowned for afternoon tea; the Mandarin Cake Shop provides delicate sweet and savory selections; and M.O. Bar is a vibrant destination for cocktails and fine wines. Designed by acclaimed designer Tony Chi, the three main restaurants blend exceptional food with elegant atmospheres. Ya Ge highlights authentic Chinese cuisine, using seasonal, high-quality ingredients and refined presentation. Café Un Deux Trois offers a relaxed all-day experience with international dishes, while Bencotto serves hearty, traditional Italian fare in a convivial trattoria setting.
What does the hotel offer for meetings and events?
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei provides sophisticated event spaces that combine luxurious interiors, inventive cuisine, modern technology and attentive service. Event planners can count on the hotel’s experienced team and the trusted Mandarin Oriental reputation to create memorable and seamless occasions.
The Grand Ballroom spans 10,000 square feet with a 24-foot ceiling, accommodating up to 1,200 guests and easily subdividable for smaller functions. An adjacent pre-function area is ideal for coffee breaks or cocktails. The Mandarin Ballroom offers 5,000 square feet for gatherings of up to 550 guests, while five Oriental rooms can be configured for groups from 10 to 110. The spectacular Grand Salon on the eighth floor, distinguished by a dramatic 68-foot-high dome, provides an exceptional backdrop for weddings, fashion shows and product launches.