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45 reviews for Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Mandarin Oriental is exquisite. The Pan-Asian level of service completely blows away most of the American or European hospitality industry.
I didn't know what service was until I traveled to Asia on business and stayed in hotels there. If you want to be treated like royalty, enjoy amazing views, room service and generally feel like a pimp, look no further.
First of all, this isn't a 5 star hotel. The Mobil award on the wall in the lobby is 5 years old. Also, I stayed here before after the rooms had been remodeled and they are looking shabby again. If you pay more than $500 a night for a hotel room, shouldn't the upholstery on the furniture be free of stains, the carpet clean and the bathroom up to date?
A couple of annoyances were that they only put two towels and not enough toiletries in the bathroom every night. Secondly, the "welcome" tea that you get when you check in didn't come until after an hour when my guest and eye checked in --- because I called and asked where the hell it was.
That said, I went to this hotel because of the view. I always get the bridge to bridge room which is a corner room with views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge.
From now on, I'll stick with the Four Seasons and St. Regis when staying in SF.
I know that Mandarin Oriental is one of the best Asian hotel chains around. But seriously - one night of stay at the San Francisco establishment of this five-star hotel chain got me thinking that they take the concept of 'Asian hospitality' a bit too far.
Never during the entire stay did I come across a non-oriental hotel employee (concierge, front desk staff, waitstaff at Silks restaurant, and so on and so forth). Not that there's anything wrong with it - the service was flawless. I was just making observations.
Pulling up in front of the lobby at 9.30AM would typically mean having to wait about 4 hours before the room is ready and you are allowed to check in. Not so. They promised a room in half an hour, upgraded no less, and I was ushered to Silks to have breakfast and tea while I wait - the dining room screams nothing but poshness, those who were up early enough to have breakfast was talking to each other in quiet, hushed tone, I settled into one of the comfy booths and had FT Weekend presented to me.
When asked for the bill, the lady who was obviously the manager on duty said that everything is on the house (which made me regret not ordering that pancakes with maple syrup and fruit cup, but anyway). Impressed, I made my way to the Bay View King room (400 sqft with, as the name suggests, extraordinary view of the Bay Bridge).
Everything came with a price, naturally, and given that the annual SF marathon was happening on the same weekend, I may have paid 50-75% more than what a normal weekend rate would have been.
Which, come to think of it, made the breakfast on the house seemingly inconsequential. Still, it was a nice gesture and certainly one that would ensure my return in the future.
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Almost everything was wonderful. The view, the bathroom, the bed (especially the duvet) and the service. However, a hotel that has the reputation of the Mandarin, should not have old scratchy towels; nor should its cable system be lacking AMC causing guests on Sunday evening to miss Mad Men.
You know....not even the exhaustive presence of the vainglorious popinjay could put a damper on my experience here.
The skywalk has the most amazing view I have ever seen. As anxious as I was to get to the room, this stopped me in my tracks. But the view from the room was equally stunning. Binoculars were provided but I tend to get a bit intimidated by such new-fangled devices. (rimshot)
The service is impeccable, and I DO mean impeccable. Regrettably, I spent a good deal of time away from the room and it's cushy comforts but I can attest to excellent room service (anytime there is genuine silver involved I am positively thrilled) and a superb concierge. This is one of those places that knows what I want about twenty minutes before "I" even know I want it.
Nice gym. Plenty of cardio and free weights, space to stretch, although I wish I had checked out Equinox (with whom the Mandarin is affiliated) across the street for a yoga class/spa appointment.
Other highlights- the tea service upon arrival, eggs benedict for breakfast, dreamy linens,nice car service....ugh! Me likey.
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Amazing rooms, amazing view and amazing service. The concierge service at the Mandarin is probably the best I've ever experienced, and I've stayed in a lot of great hotels.
Extra kudos to Michael Dunlap, concierge extraordinaire!
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just did a spontaneous night here and i must say it's more impressive than i had anticipated. why spend 300 for the night when you can be home in 15 minutes? i have no idea. sometimes you just do things. no reason. you just do'm. this is one example. midnight and done for the night. go home or stay at this hotel right here? why ask why? sometimes things just seem way more elicit when they are done in a hotel room, right?
anyway, i don't think the rooms start till you get up pretty high. i can't remember my exact floor but i think it was higher than the 30th floor so if you stay here you're assured a very nice view. the rooms aren't huge but they aren't small either and they are decked out with molton brown products, swanky robes, TV's that pivot so you can watch from bed or the desk area, and a palacial bathroom for washing away all the sins you're commiting while being there.
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Arriving at the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, I was immediately greeted by a friendly doorman before stepping into the lobby of the hotel. The front desk attendant checked me in and proceeded to bring me up to my room to show me the amenities. I had a Queen Bay View Room, located on the 41st floor, which allowed unparalleled views of the Transamerica tower, Coit tower, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Hot tea and cookies are presented shortly after arrival. Two different options for bathrobes: one terrycloth, one waffle weave. Slippers and elegant turn down service nightly, along with bottled water presented bedside. Molton Brown toiletries were excellent. Concierge was amazing and the fresh apples by the elevator were a nice touch, as was the impeccable service, which even extended to the cleaning staff.
The views from the room make the stay worth every bit of the cost (which drops drastically if you stay any nights between Friday and Saturday as it's primarily a business hotel). I find this location very convenient to Union Square, the Farmer's Market at the Embarcadero, and everything else in the city. Mixed with the superlative quality of the views (and the envious looks you get when you mention where you're staying) make it a must to stay here!
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We just got back from a weekend at this fabulous hotel. Everything was most excellent from the greeting upon arrival, to the cosmo's at the bar to the most fantastic view of the city that I had ever seen! We had the bridge to bridge view room. It was true that we could see the Golden Gate, the Richmond Bridge and the Bay Bridge. It was awesome. The room was spacious and very comfortable from the bed to the constant temperture. The staff was really friendly, with only one exception (Cassie at the front desk). However, Cathy made up for it. What a sweetheart! The bartenders were fun, engaging and friendly. Garrett from room service brought our breakfast both mornings and was delightful and kind. The food was fantastic! We felt very at home at the Mandarin Oriental and will definitely be back in the future.
Can I put an asterisk on the end of that 5 star rating to say that the hotel really deserves a higher than 5 star rating? The views of the SF are breathtaking. Staying here made me feel like I was on top of the world.
Though the stay will set you back a pretty penny, I recommend it to really impress on those special occasions. For those that stay in places like this as a matter of routine, well, we all hate you.
Can't wait to stay here again!
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If you want impeccable service, outstanding views and a world class hotel..stay here.
Calvin the Concierge is outstanding.
Federman the doorman is great
Cassandra the night manager is wonderful.
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Wow! I mean...wow! I was definitely impressed. I wanted to stay here a lot longer but we had to leave the next day. *sigh* The service was exceptional, everything from the room, lobby area, etc. was so tasteful and creative from furniture to the walls and ceilings. I wasn't expecting to get a nice window view of the city, but I was wrong! Picked a good choice of a room and was surprised by the sweetest things that were done when I first walked into the room. Romantic? I would come back. Seriously come back for a weekend away from home and spend it with someone special or just with girlfriends for a weekend of shopping, cocktails, and fun!
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Great service, great views from your room or the sky bridge. Some rooms have windows by the bathtub. No reason to stay anywhere else.
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Beautiful decor and killer views from nearly any room. I love the elegance of this hotel and the spa is great as well. The rooms are really small but well done. Still very old school and classic.
Stayed here the last weekend in April. Booked a Golden Gate Mandarin King room with a breathtaking view overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge (what else?).
One of the best features of this room is the bathtub-placed next to a floor to ceiling window overlooking the GG Bridge, parts of San Francisco.
The hotel even has binoculars for you to look out from.
The service, as usual and expected from a MO is outstanding. Discreet, unassuming, not annoying or out of the way, but if more like someone is "there" when you need something.
When I'm traveling, I usually like to book the latest flight home, and the MO staff politely offered a late check-out until 5pm, when we would have to leave to SFO to make it in time for our flight.
One thing to note is that since the hotel is located in the Financial District, things can be rather quiet (meaning you have to travel travel) on the weekends.
No matter, the wonderful hotel literally offered my companion and I access to the hotel car for our entire stay.
The concierge is great and very professional. Booked us tour tickets to Napa, a wine tasting package as well as dinner reservations at The French Laundry.
Definitely would stay again when I visit San Francisco again.
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What do these things have in common: the golden gate bridge, coit tower, alcatraz and the san francisco bay? All things I could see from my hotel room perched way up high in the clouds. There is even binoculars in the room.
The staff is amazing, service is impecable, rooms are comfortable and appointed in an asian theme.
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Stayed here the night of my birthday party and this is a very romantic hotel with awesome views.
I always wanted to stay here and it was definitely worth it, although I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend it with my honey (he was out of the country on a business trip and couldn't make it back on time...grrrr) so I got to enjoy the room myself.
The room was pretty big with a separate seating area and a huge marble bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub. From the east side of the room, I was able to see the Bay Bridge and the construction of Rincon One Tower which was pretty neat. On the South side of the room, I had views of the City, twin peaks and if I looked a little further to my right, a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I kinda wished I did something crazy in my room though (legal, of course) but I was pretty tired and buzzed after dinner and drinks so I slept well on the super comfy bed.
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Exceptionally, meticulously clean bathroom. Separate shower and bath. View of the city from bath. Surely that is as good as it gets.
The bed was plush, but my back didn't hurt in the morning.
Something I particularly like about the Mandarin is that the staff is helpful but not obsequious or patronizing.
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The hotel service was flawless, the room was immaculate (even the bathroom offered a delicious view of the SF city-scape), and the hotel itself was beautiful. I stayed here for the weekend of my cousin's wedding...
So for you soon-to-be-newlyweds scoping out a venue for your big day:
If you plan to have a small (100 guest or less) wedding ceremony, one of their terraces would serve as great place to hold the event. There are two terraces (both small and quaint); one boasts an unobstructed view of the Bay and Alcatraz, while the other, an expansive view of the city. The reception, which was held in the ballroom served 100 guests comfortably, and the bar/catering service was totally on point. I learned that the ceremony and venue rental were not cheap, but it was near perfection.
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Hands down my favorite SF hotel. Not because of it's impeccable rooms, flawless service, or delicious room service. Every nice hotel in SF can offer you that. This hotel is the best because of it's views. And I could kick myself for not remembering, but every room that ends in a certain number (is it 09?) has a corner view that wraps around the city so you can see both bridges at once. Ask when you're booking - they'll know what I'm talking about.
Hint: if you aren't staying there, you can still take the elevator up to the 40th floor and check out the views from the glass hallway.
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The best service I've ever had in any hotel. Unbelievable view of the TransAmerica Building peeking through the fog...
oh and DON"t stay in the one in New York. You won't believe it's from the same chain.
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The Mandarin Oriental has breathtaking views, an impeccable staff that treats everyone like they are royalty and a room where you might leave your heart.
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OMG. *Mandarin Oriental* luv 4EVA!!
That is my schoolgirl-like interpretation of my love for the Mandarin Oriental. When you first check in, they give you complimentary tea and wine with cute biscuits! How thoughtful :)
The rooms are absolutely fabulous (plasma screens, jacuzzi tubs, fluffy pillows, excellent view) and room service is to die for. I am actually such a big fan of my man Erik who delivered us breakfast and late night dessert everyday! Breakfasts are fantastic, but their dinner menu, I am not so fond of.
For my 6 day stay in San Fran, I couldn't have asked for a better hotel with better service. Even if the hotel bill ran up over 6000. Whoops.
* They also have a DVD basket that they can bring up to your room if you're in need of a night curled up in bed watching Bridget Jones Diary.
** And for some seriously breathtaking pictures, take the elevator up to the 40+ floors; there's a open glass walkway that has the most gorgeous view of all of San Francisco. You will NAHHT regret it, even with intense ear popping as a side effect.
*** Lucky for me, they are now opening up a Mandarin Oriental right here in Boston...it now gives me an excuse to "vacation at home."
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This is my favorite hotel in San Francisco. At one point in my career I was a frequent guest (two times a year for a week). Of course now the only way I am stay here is if I pay for it myself and I am not see that happen any time soon.
The rooms are large (one of my self important co-workers was telling everyone that he had a suite when in fact he had the same room as the rest of us). While I am not a bath kind of person the large soaking tubs are very attractive and just the thing after a long run around San Francisco. Every room has a view that is just spectacular.
My favorite part of staying at the Mandarin is breakfast in the morning. Pancakes or waffles covered with fruit. Tea made the proper way. I could go on and on. Too bad I will not be stay there again anytime soon.
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A nice place to hold a wedding reception. Great views and reasonable prices.
Dont expect to come here and commit capital fraud with a head full of acid while running from the law.
You will not succeed.
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This is a great hotel to stay at in SF. Been back here about 4 times
Can't go wrong. It will cost you. Views are unbelievable.
This International chain scores highly yet again with this property. The rooms are wonderful, the furnishings of excellent quality and the decor is sublime.
Known for gracious service, each of the staff are without fail, welcoming and warm. They're not trying to be your new best friend, just glad to have you as a guest.
There is not a better view to be had in the city. The hotel is located at the top of a skyscraper on Sansome Street, in the heart of San Francisco. I've stayed here on three occasions, the most recent being this past New Year's Eve (12/31/07-1/1/08). The rooms are tastefully and artfully decorated, with an obvious Asian influence. The bathrooms are beautiful and modern, with generous amounts of tiles and marble. Room service is quick and delicious, with plenty of traditional American dishes alongside some traditional Asian cuisine available. I can't stress enough how breathtaking the view is. There is a floor (I forget which, but they should be able to tell you), that has a section that is completely open to the city (behind glass, of course). It's enough to induce vertigo.
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Absolutely fabulous hotel. Exceptional service by friendly staff from front desk, door man to housekeeping, clean and fresh room upon return "home," breath-taking views.... I wish I could live there. The room we were in was gorgeous but not as wide compared to other hotels I've stayed at (we got just a regular room) probably because of space limitations. Also no comp parking for hotel guests.
All the amenities and services you'd expect from a deluxe property, with the added plus of a wall of glass in the bathroom that allows you to soak up the view while soaking in the tub. Pure bliss.
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This is a beautiful hotel, although when you step into the lobby you feel like everything is untouchable. It's not a cozy place, but a sophisticated one. I think the views from this hotel are arguably the best in town. The service is perfect. They know what they're doing here. I was upgraded to a suite. When I got to the room and unpacked, I took a bath in the amazing, huge tub and lived there for the next two days. I was a shriveled prune when I got out, but it was soooo worth it.
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wonderful hotel. except i wonder, what are y'all doing living in san francisco and reviewing hotels in san francisco?
does your spouse know?
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Fabulous hotel. Worst tea service in town. Embarassing.
I love the lobby here, there's a sense of comings and goings, business and social transactions, in a subdued tone. Any time I am downtown in the Fi-Di, I always use their restrooms. Very clean and spacious, plus real towels, and not one staff member has ever given me a suspicious look.
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The rooms are nice, but it's the view that will make you feel like a Playboy Bunny just waiting to reveal your exhibitionist side! It's a super nice hotel, clearly, as it is a Mandarin Oriental, but it's location makes it first class. Get a room with a view and do something crazy!
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I find the Mandarin Oriental provides the get-to-know-you kind of atmosphere I require. Terricloth robes, slippers, chamomile tea and cookies. And for only $350/night? It's a no-brainer when you don't feel like taking the 2 mile cab ride home.
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Our stay this past weekend at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel was absolutely wonderful. Our King Bay View room on the 46th floor had amazing views of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz and was very comfortable. I could have stayed in the room all weekend lounging on the bed staring dreamily out the window, ok in San Francisco, maybe not but it's that good. The bathroom had a great tub and separate shower, and the room was just large enough to be cozy and not too small. The service was impeccable, a very friendly staff, great food, and a chill bar adjacent to the lobby. My husband and I can't wait to go back and stay there again!
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Best hotel I've ever stayed in. I loved the glass walkways in between the towers. The view is incredible - even from your bathtub. The service was the best I've ever had. I also stayed in the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and was equally impressed.
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I sort of felt like the Lady from Shanghai walking through the lobby. Assuming the Lady from Shanghai wears flats and jeans instead of stilettos and a wasp waisted, tailored suit. I suspect the Lady has never heard of the former! That said, this hotel was a wonderful experience. We had a bridge to bridge view, and were lucky enough to be here over July 4, so we could watch all the fireworks. The staff was lovely and helpful as well!
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