Tokyo Luxury Hotels (consolidated thread -- older thread, now closed)
Oct 27, 2016, 4:35 am
#856
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 442
Does anyone have Mandarin concierge email address? Been trying to email for restaurant reservations in December.
Oct 28, 2016, 12:39 pm
#858
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Wrapping up a stay at Aman Tokyo today. Overall, it's a great hotel and I'd gladly come back. There are a few tiny things that can only be considered first-world problems:
- Despite asking a few times, I haven't seen the GM, Marc, at all during the stay.
- They charged me for stamps to mail two postcards! I think this was discussed elsewhere in the forums too. I asked if I can have them for free and they said no.
- I did not receive a welcome drink or anything. They said it was an oversight and sent up a basket of fruit in the evening.
- There's no afternoon tea service.
- They do not sell bottles (720ml) of sake for room service or in the restaurants. When asked about it, they said that they don't have a liquor license so they cannot vend whole bottles. This doesn't make much sense because they have bottles of wine, champagne, and even whiskies for sale.
- They say most of the room classes are not available for upgrade through FHR. I'm not sure if this is true or not.
- They don't have Amanjunkie t-shirts.
- I asked for a tempurpedic-type pillow and an hour later they showed up with a box of tampons. FYI, I'm a man.
Haven't had a chance to explore the rest of the hotel but I'll do that today. Lastly (mostly as a note to myself), staying in the suite as a solo traveler on business really is excessive. Walking into the empty dining and living room is rather lonely.
- Despite asking a few times, I haven't seen the GM, Marc, at all during the stay.
- They charged me for stamps to mail two postcards! I think this was discussed elsewhere in the forums too. I asked if I can have them for free and they said no.
- I did not receive a welcome drink or anything. They said it was an oversight and sent up a basket of fruit in the evening.
- There's no afternoon tea service.
- They do not sell bottles (720ml) of sake for room service or in the restaurants. When asked about it, they said that they don't have a liquor license so they cannot vend whole bottles. This doesn't make much sense because they have bottles of wine, champagne, and even whiskies for sale.
- They say most of the room classes are not available for upgrade through FHR. I'm not sure if this is true or not.
- They don't have Amanjunkie t-shirts.
- I asked for a tempurpedic-type pillow and an hour later they showed up with a box of tampons. FYI, I'm a man.
Haven't had a chance to explore the rest of the hotel but I'll do that today. Lastly (mostly as a note to myself), staying in the suite as a solo traveler on business really is excessive. Walking into the empty dining and living room is rather lonely.
Rather frustrating and hilarious at the same time!
I'm heading to stay and inspect Aman in December and everything you've mentioned above is helping me manage my expectations. Thank you!
I suppose the good news is that most of the list are all very fixable soft issues...hopefully, in time.
Oct 28, 2016, 3:46 pm
#859
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
You get used to that, but it never becomes comfortable. It is WAY worse at Summer Palace. I've spent days at that place and not seen another human other than the bartender. ... and I had to wake him up.
Oct 28, 2016, 5:31 pm
#860
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NYC, SEA, TPE
Programs: BR Diamond, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 436
I had similar issues with Aman SP a couple months ago. What annoyed me there was that they kept asking my name and room number at the restaurants, gym, front desk, shops even though there was only a handful of guests.
Oct 28, 2016, 8:49 pm
#861
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
I know this is a luxury thread but when I'm alone in Tokyo, I like to go into a neighborhood Ramen shop and eat with the locals...if it helps, you can bringing your own truffles 
Oct 29, 2016, 8:29 pm
#862
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,542
My husband and I and my 30-year-old son and his husband are all going to Tokyo during Thanksgiving week. I've already booked 4 nights at the RC (club level) and one night at the Disneyland Hotel (my son works for Disney)....looking for another FHR hotel for the first two nights we arrive. Recent suggestions? Also, any restaurant suggestions -- no one in the group (except for me) eats fish 
Oct 29, 2016, 8:35 pm
#863
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,434
Oct 29, 2016, 8:37 pm
#864
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,434
Also, I think that the Mira Costa offers a better luxury experience than Disneyland Hotel, especially if you will be visiting Disneysea.
Oct 29, 2016, 9:32 pm
#866
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
My husband and I and my 30-year-old son and his husband are all going to Tokyo during Thanksgiving week. I've already booked 4 nights at the RC (club level) and one night at the Disneyland Hotel (my son works for Disney)....looking for another FHR hotel for the first two nights we arrive. Recent suggestions? Also, any restaurant suggestions -- no one in the group (except for me) eats fish
You might also try Union Square Tokyo, and other restaurants within the Midtown complex.
It's a pity that everyone else in your party does not eat fish, but there are of course plenty of good restaurants nearby. The concierge will help you find whatever you are looking for.
For another FHR hotel, I recommend Mandarin Oriental. It's close to Tokyo station by taxi if you arrive via N'Ex train, which is convenient.
Oct 29, 2016, 9:39 pm
#867
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,434
Oct 30, 2016, 1:06 am
#868
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
If unfamiliar with Tokyo, there could be an advantage to FS Marunouchi's meet and greet service at the station. S-L provably offers the same if I am not mistaken.
Oct 30, 2016, 11:39 am
#869
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
I'll be in Tokyo for four nights in December, and am primarily looking for the best food-connected concierge team. Reading through this thread, seems to waver between FSM and MO, correct?
Another benefit would be a good spa, but I don't know that that is critical. Restaurant readies are of primary concern.
Another benefit would be a good spa, but I don't know that that is critical. Restaurant readies are of primary concern.
Oct 30, 2016, 12:30 pm
#870
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,542
No availability there, it was our first choice. We were lucky to get the rooms we found, I think.