Duke787

Ah completely forget about the Conrad Istanbul. Incredible sunrise views if you happen to be up. Have some amazing pictures of the sun rising over the Bosphorus from when I went back in 2014

mmdough

Just finished my incredible stay at Conrad Osaka. Upgraded to an executive corner room as a diamond. The room is huge and beautifully appointed. Hands down one of the best hotel (and the Conrad Tokyo too) I stayed in so far. And I've stayed in many many hotels in my life in over 40+ countries. It blows away other Conrad like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, etc. Haven't got I chance to try the one in Seoul but will tempt to do so in the near future per the good review of previous posters.

I understand that the OP does not find value in such type of properties. It's OK. We are all different in how we like to spend our money and points. If the OP thinks that staying at a Hampton Inn offers just as good a night stay at a Conrad, then the question in this thread ' are there any good Conrad' is the wrong question being asked by the OP.

BotB

I can understand the OP's comments, if not agree with them. Some people (i really don't mean this sarcastically) simply want a decent place to stay, quiet and the basics. They don't necessarily value the differences (subtle at times and not so subtle at others) between different hotel brands. That would actually be great if I was in the same boat but I'm not! (as it would ultimately be better for the wallet.) To the OP, best to just book Hiltons or HI if you can get them and save the money and enjoy whatever else you would rather do or spend the money on.

Generally, I'd say the differences (but not necessarily ones the OP values) are;

-a more opulent hard product (quality, variety of the hotel common areas and room)
-design elements (not just a lamp, that one is a design piece for example)
-better service as a rule (exceptions are obvious!)
-a choice of bathroom amenities (in some hotels 4 different brands and you can try all of them if you so desire)
-concierge app and service that should exceed the Hilton (exceptions exist)
-a far superior bedding and sleep (but some people can sleep on the floor so this is potentially a mute point)
-details (a stuffed animal, a rubber duck, an old fashioned alarm clock)...useful/useless...maybe but a difference!
-sterling silver tableware in some restaurants...its still a fork, knife or such but details...
-venue (location will be understated and placed where the affluent wish to be, not where it is most convenient to commuters or the average joe, contentious surely but true in my opinion.
-a proper brew (whether tea or coffee) not from the cheap and cheerful machines. If you just have filter coffee this may not matter.

I like the Conrad brand quite a bit and would generally always stay there over a Hilton or even a WA property. The WA's are different and appeal to others but are to ostentatious for my taste...I like the understated luxury of the Conrad brand but that's just me. (WA Berlin being an exception, which I would go back to).

Safe travels, interesting to hear others viewpoints, great to have diversity and long may that continue!

christianj

That's specifically why hotel chains like Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, etc. offer different brands which offer different things. When I'm on a business trip I want a clean decent room. When I'm on vacation I want as much luxury as possible so just a clean decent room isn't enough...regardless of if on points or if I pay. If the benefits of a high-end hotel are lost on you then don't stay there and continue to book that clean decent room without all the extras and luxury.

Hey! I didn't like the location either! That is why we stayed somewhere else in the Algarve. Who wants to be away from the beach in a place like the Algarve when you can book a beachfront hotel?

EsherFlyer

And to be clear we didn't either, hence me tuning into the OP comments on location of a couple of other properties. I really don't think they'd like the property even though it has a lot to offer.

i think the best hotels I've stayed in are either very remote, or well integrated with their surroundings. If not a good fit it jars.

AlwaysAisle

I think as some has said Conrad type of lodging is not for you. Like other upper scale hotels Conrad tend to use higher quality items in their hotels. Use better fabric in their bedding, use better quality woods in furnishing, etc. For you specifically those thing does not matter and does not make difference, but there are enough such demand out there where people do put monetary value in such items that such hotels can be successful.

Such concept exists in most businesses. As such there are polo shirts sells at $20 and same time at high end stores there are polo shirts sells around $250 -300. There are both polo shirts, but one uses better quality fabric, uses better design, etc. There are enough demand where people do see monetary value in such concept that there can be successful business selling $250 – 300 polo shirts.

At Conrad Tokyo I inquired for a dinner recommendation to a concierge. After few phone calls recommended a small intimate place at Ginza and made reservation for me. The concierge escorted me to street level entrance and told a bell cap to get a taxi for me. Then concierge walk over to the taxi driver and said: 「この方は大切なお客様です、よろしくお願いします。」 (This is our very important guest, please take care of the person) and confirmed with the taxi driver that the driver knew the restaurant.

I enjoyed the dinner very much. Next day while I was passing by the lobby, the same concierge walked over to me and asked how was dinner previous night. The concierge told me that he got a phone call from the restaurant and thanked him for introducing them to a nice customer.

I think such class act by employees do make difference and what make Conrad Tokyo different from Hilton Tokyo.

I understand that such thing is not for you, but that does not mean rest of the world put same monetary value to such concept as you.

RCTP

conrad Tokyo blew my socks off too. When LG launches their smartwatch, it was only available in Japan, Korea and USA. Since I was on holiday at Tokyo, I just dropped an email to the concierge asking if they know which shops I can buy it from.

During check in, the concierge came to look for me with a THICK folder containing all the info. And she had filed it accordingly to location and price! He told me she’s not done with the research and will try to get back to me in a day or two.

I was embarrassed as hell as it was just a small item. I told her I’ll just pick from her existing list and she called the few shops to check on availability. However most of them do not carry available stock as it was just recently launched, and will only be available after I’ve checked out and left Japan. She offered to help have it sent to Conrad Tokyo anyway and courier it to me.

It it was the same with dinner reservations. We had a craving for teppanyaki and she recommended this nice and small restaurant on Ginza and helped to make a reservation. It was the same with the cab although I don’t speak Japanese so I think she just informed the cab driver where I’m going.

Aventine

That's definitely service above and beyond. Great job Conrad Tokyo!

escape4

Disclaimer: post is for entertainment value only.

Thbe, I know what you mean, I hate when that happens. I even asked the doorman if he could give me a ride to the airport with the Ferrari because I thought the shuttle bus was uncomfortable, and he still said no

In addition, Conrad Tokyo is where I broke my champagne glass because I had too much to drink in the lounge. Actually it was their fault; if they only had cheap wine none of this would have happened.

Regarding Conrad Seoul, what a dump of a property. Everything is modern and electronic there. I was pulling so hard on the curtains but I could not close them. And what about their damn shower - there is no door and you can enter from both sides. How can I get some privacy? Given what I paid for, this is unacceptable. I am sitting on over 3m points in my Honors account so I like to use points whenever I can. However Conrad Seoul had a flash sale where I could pay 200k KRW per night for a corner suite so it did not make any sense to use my points. I was forced to pay hard-earned cash for the room so value is awful compared to Hampton Inns where I can use points rather than cash.

Conrad Macao? Why do I get upgraded to a suite every time there? If I pick a small room, it's because I want a small room. You have to respect my client preferences.

In HK I like Kowloon too, so why did they build the Conrad in Admiralty? That makes no sense. Hotel rooms are generally cheaper in Kowloon than Admiralty, so for a bottom of barrel brand like Conrad, why not build it in a cheap neighborhood? Kowloon will do, or since we are at it, Sha Tin would be just fine.

In BKK the Conrad is frequently cheaper than the Hiltons over there. This is not "good value"; it's because the Conrad is going down the tubes.

Conrad Singapore... don't get me started. You can have free alcohol in the lounge in the afternoon. Too many drunks there - they should limit to 5pm-7pm. At Hampton Inn we can get water which is healthier and people behave well.

Fortunately you did not mention many other Conrads in the world otherwise I would be typing all night. None of them are "any good".

===============

On a more serious note, when one just wants a bed then one should stay at Hampton Inn. That does not make Conrads "not any good"... Depends on the city and circumstances for the particular trip. I enjoy both and I enjoy having the choice between both of them.

Miesque

LMAO Well done , I especially enjoyed the Conrad Singapore comment

thbe

Btw: The true story was a bit different.

I've walked out with my daughter and was asked by the doorman, if we need a taxi. I've answered: "No, but I like to get the keys for that car." and pointed at the sports car. The doorman answered "OK" and turned around to the place where he has the keys. On half way he turned around again and laughed. My daughter and me were laughing as well and then the doorman called us a taxi. Maybe just a bit thing, but for me it's a good example for excellent service.

Actually I've experienced the Conrad Tokyo as exceptionally good, especially the staff.

And I never had even one stay at a Conrad, which I wasn't at least pleased with. Maybe I'm a Conrad guy.

Abidjan

Same here.

flapland

Considering a night at the Conrad Osaka early 2018 as it looks so good and we enjoyed the Conrad Tokyo a couple of years ago. If the rates were lower would stay for 4 nights but can't afford the stretch of a top hotel Tokyo(Princes Gallery) and also is Osaka/Kyoto for the whole trip.

s0ssos

But I think that illustrates Japanese culture more than the Conrad. In Asia many hotels are nicer, not just in terms of their facilities, but also service. And, correct me if I'm wrong, people actually want to work there. Even at a high-end hotel in America I'm not sure that it is a great job. They probably don't make that much, it isn't prestigious (you wouldn't want to introduce yourself at a party saying you work AT the ___ hotel), so the quality of personnel isn't as good (someone commented that in Western countries many times the best service you get is at restaurants. By college students).

IggySD

Teddy bears and rubber duckies.