Best International Hotels

[amirm]

I find that finding good hotels internationally is hard. I still remember the time when I checked into a multi-star hotel in south of Germany and the one listed as the best in the town, only to find it to be a huge dump, with a dark room, a rotary phone (I kid you not) that would not dial anyone but the front desk, a tiny bed, etc. And this was $150/night in 1991 or so.

So I thought I start a thread where folks post their favorite International hotels for reference for others in the future.

 

[amirm]

Best hotel in Tokyo

As some of you know, I travel a ton of Japan. Probably been there 50-60 times over the last 20+ years. While I have not tried anywhere close to all the best hotels there, I have found one that I think ranks as one of the best in the world, let alone Japan.

And that is Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/

Picture this (pun intended): when you check in, they ask you which side of the city you want your room to face? Why? Because the room start at something like 30th floor, and each has a 180 degree view of Tokyo! The views are breathtaking.

The decor is classic modern with warm hues. No NY "W" style here. There is an oriental touch to be sure but it is mixed with Grohe rain shower head and such.

Technology wise, each room has a Sharp 50 inch LCD, being driven by multi-channel feed with good number of English speaking channels such as Fox movies, and the usual slate of CNN, CNBC, BBC, etc. There are also many other languages represented so if you get bored, you can tune into one of those!

Service in Japanese hotels is always a few steps ahead of the west but here, and Mandarin takes it to the limit. Two of my colleagues needed help getting a visa for China while in Tokyo and had no clue what to do. A call to Concierge took care of most of the work, including picking up their passports from the Chinese embassy.

If there is a disappointment it is with the restaurants there. Mind you, the standard here is exceptionally high as far as quality. But I miss having a high-quality sushi restaurant which exists in every other western hotel but lacking here. On the other hand, room service is incredible. My set menu was so picture perfect I wanted to just look at it and not mess up the beautiful plates. And the taste, which included Sashimi, was the best of any in-room service in Japan.

I can't tell you how relaxing and stress free it is to stay there.

Of course, high-end hotels can be incredibly expensive. But if you have a corporate rate, and travel now during the slower economic times, the rates can be quite competitive, dare I say cheaper than hotels in Manhattan (many of which wouldn't hold a candle to Mandarin).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

[amirm]

The Shilla Hotel in Seoul/Korea

I don't travel to Korea nearly as much as Japan. I have been there maybe 8 to 10 times (usually to visit Samsung, but sometimes LG and Microsoft office). We usually stay at one of the downtown hotels. They are pretty high class but not special.

In the last two trips, I got to stay at Shilla Hotel: http://www.shilla.net/en/seoul/index.jsp

The rooms are comfortable and nice. Not Mandarin Oriental level of nice but nice regardless (probably 60% the size). What is great about Shilla though is the food. They have a buffet restaurant that is one of the largest I have seen in Asia. Mind you, the buffet restaurants in Asia can be quite big. But this one is one of the largest. Now being large is not an asset if it is all left over food prepared poorly as the big buffer restaurants are in US. This one has gourmet style food from all different cuisines. From freshly roasted duck to snow crab legs, everything is excellent and fresh.

Why is the above important? If you are like me and don't believe in trying to get adjusted to local time zone so that when you get back, you don't get jet-lagged, you are going to get up early in the morning, thinking it is lunch time and crave good food not some runny eggs . And boy, does this place do justice to it. We are talking 6 fresh juices from cucumber to watermelon. We are talking Japanese rice and natto (fermented soybeans) which is common in Japan but rare outside, to dim sum and eggs and stirfry Chinese, it is all there with fresh quality.

Another memorable thing is the chandeliers in the lobby. We are talking precision hung crystals that wave gently with the breeze.

Finally, service is attentive (again one step below Mandarin above) and helpful.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

[SORAsound]

Both hotels you mention in seoul and tokyo are very good.
When in tokyo, i normally stay at the westin ebisu garden place, or the excel hotel in shibuya...both great areas...westin hotel rooms are the best and biggest of any westin hotels i have ever stayed at. once i was there around 3 or 4 months and they treated me even much better...
lately seems like i stay more at the excel hotel because of its very central location (shibuya) and pricing which is pretty good for tokyo, and given the quality you get..i love their bath/showers with the view of the city (thankfully the city does not have a view of me).
in seoul, i like westin chosun very much...very good location also...
in the last few years when i travel i have been focusing on design hotels/boutique hotels...i have been very happy with all my choices...i tend to use WallPaper guide books as my reference since they are a design/architecture oriented magazine and guide book..

 

[brianherlihy]

Amirm - over the last 5 years i have spent 80%+ of my time on the road, so you can imagine i appreciate this thread. i travel mainly in Africa, Middle East and some in Europe. i must say of any hotel i have ever been in (bar some vacation hotels) the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo is by far my favorite (is this where they filmed 'Lost in Translation'?). it is the epitome of what a hotel should be. for the most part, i try to stay at Mandarin Oriental's in cities they are available. the service is always excellent, the hotel is usually spectacular (although the rooms in London are getting old). they are certainly pricey, but the thread is about the best.

 

[Nicholas Bedworth]

For high-end business hotels in BKK, there's the Regent, and over on the river, the Sheraton Orchid, and of course the Oriental.
In Seattle, the Bellevue Club is basically a boutique hotel, built around a gigantic athletic club with a big pool, basketball and tennis courts, the works. Beautfiul interior decoration, each floor different, and the rooms have a private home, rather than hotel feel. Probably many forum colleagues from Microsoft have never stayed at the Bellevue, as they live nearby but it's about 20 minutes from Redmond.
In New York, where else but the Carlyle? And the Regency is certainly good, as well.

 

[amirm]

Thanks for seconding Mandarin Oriental . Can't wait to go back there again.

... the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo is by far my favorite (is this where they filmed 'Lost in Translation'?).

No, they shot that at Park Hyatt hotel. It is another hotel whose first floor is in the middle of a high-rise and as a result, has great views. Park Hyatt btw, was the hotel all hollywood stars and studio executives used to stay at because they worry about "security." These hotels do not let random people get to the lobby of the floor and hence, the rooms giving them privacy. I suspect this is the reason it was used for this movie.

I have had many meetings in Park Hyatt and dinners. The rooms are also lavish there including hot tubs and such. Issue I have with Park Hyatt is that I have never been a fan of any of the restaurants there and location is kind of isolated. Yes, it is 5 minutes to Shinjuku but where it is, is nothing but office buildings. Overall, I never get the warm and nice feeling I get at Mandarin.

 

[rrr]

Thanks for seconding Mandarin Oriental . Can't wait to go back there again.

No, they shot that at Park Hyatt hotel. It is another hotel whose first floor is in the middle of a high-rise and as a result, has great views. Park Hyatt btw, was the hotel all hollywood stars and studio executives used to stay at because they worry about "security." These hotels do not let random people get to the lobby of the floor and hence, the rooms giving them privacy. I suspect this is the reason it was used for this movie.

I have had many meetings in Park Hyatt and dinners. The rooms are also lavish there including hot tubs and such. Issue I have with Park Hyatt is that I have never been a fan of any of the restaurants there and location is kind of isolated. Yes, it is 5 minutes to Shinjuku but where it is, is nothing but office buildings. Overall, I never get the warm and nice feeling I get at Mandarin.

The Park Hyatt rooms are nice with details like heated toilet seats, etc. The lobby bar is pretty nice!
In Asia, I find it hard to beat the Oriental in BKK, very comfortable with one of the highest levels of service anywhere. Recently I stayed at Amanjena in Marrakech which is a beautiful facility with excellent service. Very impressive resort: http://www.amanresorts.com/amanjena/home.aspx

 

[Ki Choi]

Hi Guys:

I realize this is What's Best forum but I think it would be interesting to discuss what we thought was the best valued hotels. My day job requires me to spend many nights at strange hotels as well. Although I have not stayed at all the nice hotels in Japan, some of my favorite hotels are Hotel Okura (chain) especially the one in Kobe and the ultimate - Royal Park Hotel Yokohama (half price at Toshiba group corp rate...). Royal Park Hotel Tokyo at the Hakozaki Station (TCAT) is also one of the most convienent hotel to stay for one's first visit to Tokyo but not as nice as the Yokohama one, IMO.

 

[amirm]

Hi Ki. I think it is a good idea to also list the high-value hotels. I think I have had meetings at an Okura hotel but otherwise, no experience with any of them you listed.

While I am typing this Hotel Brighton in Kyoto is nice even though it is a lousy location and there is nothing British about it despite the name. Their Japanese chef fought in Iron Chef TV program and (I think) won. I have stayed at fancier hotels there but the service and atmosphere was not as nice.

 

[mullard88]

Just got reminded my daughters told me that Four Seasons Chinsanzo was the best hotel they've stayed in in Tokyo as the housekeeping staff there made sure their room's TV set was always turned on to the Cartoon Network whenever they returned to their room.

 

[Ki Choi]

It is rare I get to enjoy any of the hotels I would stay in my travels but last week, I was in Singapore and was able to check out the new Marina Bay Sands and its Sky Park facility at the top of the 57th floor... There are better hotels but the view from the Sky Park pool was spectacular!

Only thing missing was a pair of near field monitors on tripods playing reel to reel tapes...

 

[amirm]

Wow. What a view and pool! Quite remarkable.

 

[Mary]

Four Seasons Hotel. The best hotel chain i've ever tried

 

[jazdoc]

Katakies in Santorini

View from the dining balcony at King George in Athens:

 

[amirm]

Boy, I was so close to visiting Santorini but the trip got cancelled!

 

[jazdoc]

Hotel Adlon in Berlin:

View of the Brandenburg Gate from the dining room. Best hotel dinner I've ever eaten!

 

[amirm]

Speaking of Berlin, what a great city when it comes to architecture. I could take pictures there forever! The only thing horrible about the visit was the Germans dressing as Americans at Checkpoint Charlie. Was one of the oddest things I have seen. Surely there are enough Americans there to play the role for the same money....

 

[jazdoc]

Just got back from Turkey and can highly recommend the Four Seasons Istanbul. Centrally located within walking distance of the Haiga Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topaki Palace and the Bazaar.

 

[jadis]

It is rare I get to enjoy any of the hotels I would stay in my travels but last week, I was in Singapore and was able to check out the new Marina Bay Sands and its Sky Park facility at the top of the 57th floor... There are better hotels but the view from the Sky Park pool was spectacular!

Only thing missing was a pair of near field monitors on tripods playing reel to reel tapes...

Hi Ki,

Awesome sight. I heard about the Sky Park Pool and your pictures gave me an idea what a great pool it is. WOW! I'm scared of heights so if even if I were there swimming, I wouldn't be getting close to the edge of the pool to see the view. My family did tour the hotel grounds of the Marina Sands and it is the most awesome hotel I have been so far. Inside is a super mall, with casinos, foodcourt, live show theatres, and linked to a museum. Fabulous hotel. If we stayed there for a couple of nights, I'd be thinking of how many good records I could have bought instead.