Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
"How did it strike you on arrival?Rising to the upper floors of the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, the 38th-floor lobby is like a gallery to Tokyo's best angles. The lobby overlooks a massive, multi-story space in two directions—the check-in desk is backdropped by a eastern outlook through floor-to-ceiling windows, while the opposite frames Tokyo's western sprawl. Nice. What’s the crowd like?It's a mature, all-discerning crowd that loves a tip-top spa. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.No matter the category, the view is paramount. The Mandarin Grand Rooms perch between the 30th and 36th floors like a tranquil retreat in the sky; the frenetic financial district eases down below and, on cloudless days, Mount Fuji glistens in the distance. Interiors are massive, and rooms feel bigger than most suites, all outfitted in a neutral palette; light and clean-lined wooden bedside tables are built into the wall, as is a headboard that’s framed with hanging paper pendant lamps. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Beds are as supple as the sheets are slippery. And if you can't find a perfect pillow on the extensive "pillow menu," it's not the pillow—it's you. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?There’s a good reason that rooms come with binoculars because there is almost too much action to scope. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.A glass wall, a backdrop to the vanity, can be closed off with interior blinds at the push of a button. There's a walk-in shower, a separate tub, and a room for the toilet. Nozzles are designed with amber-like handles to warm up the granite surfaces, and the Bottega Veneta products, without question, are worth pocketing. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?The Wi-Fi is fast and free—but only if you book directly through the hotel and create a customer profile. Room service: Worth it?Room service can get expensive, but the menu itself is so long and varied (from macaroni and cheese to barbecued peking duck rolls) that it's worth a look. And yet, there are so many dining options, from an actual pizza bar to haute Cantonese—even a silver-lined French restaurant—that every in-house venue deserves a gander. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Sushi Shin by Miyakawa is perhaps the city’s most atmospheric sushi restaurant: A nine-seat L-shaped counter, made from a 350-year-old cypress tree, sits next to a floor-to-ceiling window that perfectly frames Tokyo Skytree. Dip sushi as the sun dips, too, and the city lights up by nightfall. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?Just around the corner from famous kimono shops, hallmark department stores, and a stroll to Ginza, the location is most convenient. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It may be a top-dollar booking, but the service alone is value enough." - Keith Flanagan
