Nice but not 5 star

After reading the reviews here, I had very high hopes for this hotel. I live in DC, and decided to spend a night here to celebrate my birthday.

First the good things--the spa is over the top luxury and the best in DC. It is very private, and worth a visit in its own right. Food in the cafe was excellent as was the service.

The hotel part was less than expected. Upon arrival there no one to help with my bag, lines are long for check-in (not expected in a 5 star property), and my room was not ready despite a request for early arrival. It was not ready until 2pm. I too was "upgraded" to a water view suite and suspect as another reviewer wrote the premium room I reserved was sold out. While the room was very spacious and luxurious, the view was crummy and the water could only be seen from the bedroom or balcony. I too could not get the TV to work for DVD function and found it very confusing to day the least. I did not bother to call anyone and just gave up. Room service was very good and prompt. There are maid's carts and bags of dirty linens all over the the hall ways during the day--again not expected in a 5 star property where you usually never even see the maids come and go.

Lastly, and most annoying--on Sunday after check-out I decided to work out in the gym before leaving. the attendant on duty refused to give me a locker because I had checked-out. One would think that after spending $1100 for one night, I could at least get a locker. That would not happen at the Four Seasons.

Overall the hotel is nice, but too "busy" and lacks the service expected in a hotel of this caliber. I would not stay again, but will go back for the spa.

Five Star property with a two star staff

Stayed here for two nights in September. The property looks five star but the staff is not up to par. After some confusion with my reservation I was upgraded to a junior suite (I have a strong feeling that my premium water view room was sold out).

The room was very nice, but I had to call engineering three times to make the television work.Housekeeping was poor.The previous guest had used a glass as an ashtray (in a non smoking room) & left it on the balcony. There was a used butter knife left on the desk chair. One day housekeeping did not show up until 4:oo.At 5:30 a card was shoved under the door indicating that the maid had tried to do turndown service but I had the Do Not Disturb light on. When I called at 6:30 for turndown service I got an attitude from the maid. When I returned to my room at 10:00 the room still had not been turned down.

This was typical of the service during my stay. The staff says "I'm sorry" an awful lot. Maybe management should make a little more effort in training. By the way I complained to the assistant manager who did absolutley nothing about it. When I checked out I left my business card & a note for the GM. I never got a response.I'll be going back to the Ritz Carlton next time.

Over rated, and we really wanted to love it!

We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental for two nights this past weekend. After reading many of the reviews, we were very much looking forward to our stay here.

Sadly, we were very disappointed.

We had reserved a water view room, and while we could see the murky waters of the boat dock if we peered out sideways, and if we looked past the courtyard, and around the other side of the building, in the distance we could see the Basin. Not quite the view we were expecting.

Our television only worked when an engineer was called to reprogram it. This was highly inconvenient first thing in the morning, when you really didn't want a strange man in your room, and late at night, when all we wanted to do was crawl under the covers and watch a movie. On the second morning of our stay, after already having an engineer reprogram the television 3 previous times, we gave up and packed in silence.

While the room itself was very nice, we have stayed in much nicer at much better prices. I found the lack of complimentary morning coffee very annoying.

On the positive, the bed was very comfortable, and the bathroom was beautiful.

I am still puzzled as to why we were asked to fill out a preferences questionaire, that asked our temperature preference, # of pillows preference, welcome beverage preference, musical preference...None of these things were noted upon arrival. The room was quite warm, there were only 2 pillows on the bed, and we never saw anything in the way of a "welcome" beverage. We had heard that the hotel would have CD's for our use based on our "musical preference" but there was nothing. And that would have been nice to break the silence of the malfunctioning television.

We won't be staying here again. It's not worth it.

The only hotel you should stay at!

Forget the Ritz and the Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental is the place you should stay. The staff were great, and they were always making sure I had everything I needed. The rooms are amazing! Every detail is accounted for, and they spared no expense. I was even upgraded to a great view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the tidal basin. The spa is also top notch, and it's a must for your stay. The only negative, which isn't a major one, is that there is no public parking on weekends nearby. You'll have to pay for the valet parking, or get lucky with some street parking. Overall, the Mandarin Oriental is an amazing hotel, with good food, rooms, and hotel staff. I will definitely return for future visits!!

Amazing!

Stayed at the DC Mandarin from July 30-August 2. Just an amazing stay.... within 10 minutes my car was unloaded (lots of baby gear) and I was in my room. Room was awesome - plasma flat panel tv, super comfortable bed, lots of special surprises, bath tub over looked Washington Monument and could watch the planes fly into Regan/Dulles. Walk to the Metro was only 3 blocks, not bad at all. Had lunch at Cafe Mozu, worth a visit! Also, ate at Jenny's Asian Fusion - within walking distance of the hotel, on the bay side - food was more on the chinese side, but the quality and price were great. Yes the Mandarin is a bit on the pricey side, but they are running a great special now. My only complaint is the $30+ valet parking. Next time back in DC, I will be at the Mandarin.

Fantastic hotel

We stayed at the hotel for a mini-conference. Terrific amenities! Staff was great, a few minor problems that the manager more than made up for without us really having to complain. Soft bedding, glorious bath, attention to detail. Food excellent! A great weekend all in all! Highly recommended!!!

We didn't get time for the spa, but it looked inviting!

Sensational and Serene...

I have stayed at some of the best hotels in the world, and the Mandarin-Oriental Washington is definitely up there. I won't spoil your visit by revealing too many of the "little touches" that make this place sparkle. Suffice it to say that everything--from the energy-oil infused towels at the gym, to the Star-Trek programmed shower in the Spa, to the orchids and handwritten weather forecast on your pillow-is top notch and over-the-top. Food prices are also over-the-top. But, while that may deter you from room service, don't let it deter you from the café. My Kobe beef burger was sinful. The rooms are sumptuous, the beds are fantastic, and the bathrooms are as good as you can imagine in D.C. Still the real strength of this hotel is its serenity and service-two assets that make you forget you are in a city as serious and gritty as D.C. My biggest complaint has nothing to do with the hotel itself-it is just that the cab drivers in D.C. have no clue where this place is. My advice: tell them to take you to "the new one"-you'll get there a lot faster.

Will go back again...

Came here on business for a week. The restaurant is very good, but the star of the hotel is the spa. No where else in Washington (and I have stayed in the best hotels here) will you find a spa this magical. There is a pool and shower area in blue mosiac tile, the rooms are tranquil and beautifully lighted from rosy reds to deep violets. I stayed for a facial, foot treatment and massage. Excellent! The Four Seasons and Ritz don't even come close. I will certainly be back again!

What an experience!

Talk about service! The room was beautiful, and even though there was a train track nearby, I couldn't hear a thing, even when the train was going by. I had a massage in the spa, and I must say, it was THE best massage I've ever had. Beautiful hotel, excellent staff!

Asian comforts in DC

New hotel beautiful-elegant rooms and lobby-loved the restaraunt-really delicious asian influenced cuisine (another one is coming), room service very nice (even a a candle on my cart)spa not yet open....staff very eager to please. Location requires a cab (despite what I've read about walking) but overall quite happy here-