Detailed Review
The dramatic first impression of your arrival at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo will remain with you throughout your stay. Our extraordinary lobby surrounded by glass, has been voted the best in the world by first class travellers. Sped 38 floors up by private elevator you step out and virtually into a panorama of Tokyo city. That stunning sight is offered to our guests at every opportunity; bringing a remarkable sense of space to all our rooms and suites, serving as a spectacular backdrop to our restaurants and making a visit to our spa in the sky a journey to heaven. At street level, key destinations are within easy reach as our address in Nihonbashi is literally the centre of Tokyo.
Press Quotes
"The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nihonbashi, for one, has the requisite lobby-in-the-sky-here on the thirty-eighth floor with floor-to-ceiling windows-and some of its rooms have views of Tokyo Bay or Mount Fuji." Conde Nast Traveler 07
Independent Reviews
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"A cool location in the Nihombashi district and gorgeous views over Tokyo Bay and Mount Fuji make this luxury hotel a firm favourite."
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
By Caroline Major
Located next door to Mitsukoshi and a short stroll from the Imperial Palace, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has carefully considered the needs of the 21st-century sybarite. It’s very good-looking: seductive red silks on the walls, dark wood panelling and subtle texturing lit with arc lights. In the bar, fluffy lampshades, PVC cushions, shaggy rugs and pendulum style lampshades might well have been set for a Wallpaper photoshoot.
The design-conscious traveller will delight in recognising the numerous iconic pieces woven into the interiors; the rest of us will be impressed with the views over Tokyo from the check-in lounge suspended from the 48th floor, in an incredibly luxurious but homely space with outstanding service.
Down one floor on 47, the spa has also been granted prime views. Five suites, which are priced according to the view, complement the standard treatment rooms. The Mandarin Suite clocks in at 50 square metres and boasts a view of Tokyo Bay and old town Asakusa; another suite gives you 27 square metres and the opportunity to gaze at Mount Fuji.
Available to all is the spectacular bath circuit, where you must strip off to take the waters over Tokyo. The onsen bubbles away at a warming 39C, after which you steam in a room infused with the energies of an amethyst prism. Take a cooling drench under the rainforest showerhead and then head for the 90-degree dry heat of the sauna. When you can’t take it any more, an ice-fountain outside offers a quick cooldown before heading for another dip in the vitality pool. You’ll be glad you did.
The rooms
On the large size for a space-starved city, the rooms sport triptych floor-to-ceiling windows and the latest in electronic gadgetry. Blinds and drapes are operated from control panels, as is the lighting configuration and the service calls. The standard television is a whopping 45-inch Sharp flatscreen with 50 free channels and an abundance of pay-per-view options. There are more good high-tech touches: the leather boxed audio-visual kit contains cables to connect your laptop or video camera to the behemoth LCD; there’s an ethernet cable should you not want to use the in-room wireless; there are audio jacks for your I-Pod. Naturally there is the Tokyo standard washlet toilet and an LCD positioned for optimum bath-time viewing.
Aside from the wizardry, Mandarin Oriental has thought of most things that will delight. In the fridge, there’s a selection of several up-market waters, as well as Krug champagne. There are yoga mats in the cupboard and a bottle of aromatherapy oil on turndown. The fresh orchids come as standard and the hot water urn is complimented with a quality selection of teas for the hand-crafted pot. To ensure privacy, room deliveries are made through the valet hatch complete with a light to let you know you’ve received something. It goes without saying that the 450 thread count sheets, a selection of Italian and Japanese bathrobes and very now Aromatherapy Associates bath products will ensure a great night’s sleep.
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Condé Nast Traveller 2008 Gold List
