Mandarin Oriental Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan 

The hotel lobby is fabulous. I was not sure if I should go here or to another hotel, but I decided to check out MO. The hotel rooms are probably better at the Peninsula Tokyo but the bar, the ambience, the service at MO is absolutely fantastic. The best contemporary chic designed hotel.

There have been so many wonderful reviews for this hotel, I am a little hesitant to repeat them again, but just having returned from a week in Tokyo, I have to share this experience. A family of three, we spend a lot of time travelling all around the world. This was however our first trip to Japan. I choose the MO because of all the great reviews. Therefore, our expectations were extremely high. Premisis - About the building , the entrance, the lobby, spas , rooms , bars etc, all I can say is that I was flabbergasted. I have worked before on several hotel building projects, and I have a tendency to look at the quality of craftmanship in the design and fitting. I try to see where they have cut the corners, or made a small mistake. After spending a week at the MO in Tokyo, I found nothing! Although it seems not possible to me, they did not cut any corners! They have simply taken the best materials available, and applied them in an absolutely fantastic solution. I am not talking about one part of the hotel, I mean everywhere. From the entrance door to the bathrooms, it is perfect. (Small tip - have a look at the floor in the elevators or the stairs going from the lobby down to the bar. It is a black marble, but look for the blue highlights which shimmer in the day light. Amazing touch!) Service - This is by far the best trained hotel staff we have ever encountered. I cannot say enough about the front desk and concierge team. As in a previous review, we have been surprised by their friendlyness and competence in making our stay most enjoyable. From a fast check to a perfect check-out it was great. (Tip- the counters of the reception are beatifully lined in leather. small but nice touch. Also, if you are presented a pen to sign your bill or anything else. No flimsy plastic pens, but substantial writing pieces.) The concierge team has organised a guide, recommended and book restaurants, organised train tickets, recommened shopping tours etc. We could not have been more pleased. But to top it off, it was not the perfect rooms, the great spa, the wonderful views, great room service etc, that mattered, it was the true feeling that they care about you as a guest. This is something which begins in the traditional Japanese culture, but is perfected in the selection and training of the staff at the MO Tokyo. Example - we had booked a private guide for two half-days. This was a wonderful lady who spoke great english and took us to the places which were of our interests, and not only the ones in the guide books. After spending time with her she obviously learned about our interests in Japan and the history, culture , etc. After the second tour, on the day of our check-out, I received a small package from the concierge. I gift. I don't want to get into details here, but it was not a gift of high monetary value, but one of extreme kindness and consideration on part of the concierge team. After showing this small present to my wife, she practically started tearing-up in happiness. It was exactly what we have been wanting to bring back from Japan, and even better it was made for and about our family. In a situation like this, saying thank you seems too little, but is is all you can do. This was the so called "icing on the cake". After spending a week in Tokyo, we went on to Kyoto for few days. We stayed in a very nice hotel, the Hyatt Regency, and upgraded to a very nice room, but after staying at the MO you just become too pampered, and anything else is a bit of a let down. Upon returning to Tokyo before our flight, we spent one night at the MO and felt as if we were returning home. Of course, we were greeted with the welcome back, and how was your trip to Kyoto. Wonderful! If you have the time and means to spend at the MO in Tokyo, please do not hesitate. It goes well beyond five or six stars in our eyes. Of course it all comes with a price attached, but for similar money you can also get so-so service. So don't make that mistake and stay with the MO Tokyo, perhaps the best hotel in the world!