Second time staying at the Mandarin Oriental, and it was average. For every great thing, there was a negative, for every "yes" there was a "but...".

A special day, just proposed and it was her birthday. Front desk upgraded us to a "room with a view" (per the AMEX travel amenity) and then explained our other AMEX benefits; late check-out, free breakfast, spa credit. He then tries to up-sell me a suite-room, the benefits being (besides a suite); late check-out, and free breakfast. Thanks, but I'm already getting those. Just very tacky and not handled well.

The room was nice enough, large bathroom, nice sitting area, and reasonable view of the water. Was a bit disappointed that they still have CRT televisions in the rooms. I thought everyone has flat screens now.

The hotel did send up a nice little snack of chocolate, fruit and biscotti before dinner which was much appreciated and very good.

Dinner at CityZen was good, the food wasn't the best we have had there, but the service is always outstanding. If you have never tried it, do so, you won't be disappointed.

My fiancee went to the spa the next day for a massage and said it was okay, nothing great. She did have a bear of a time spending the $75 spa credit (again, from AMEX). You are not allowed to use this toward the massage, so you have to buy products. Everything she wanted was out of stock (the CD), or they only had the giant size versions (bath salts). So we have a lot of bath salts now.

The next morning breakfast at Cafe Mozu was nice, again, nothing mind blowing, but very good food. The brunch looks amazing, I will have to try it sometime.

Overall, a nice trip, but when you are booking at the Mandarin Oriental hotels, you anticpate a certain level of luxury, which I dont' think was provided.

Visited in June of 2008 and had a wonderful time. No complaints from arrival to departure.

The room was small, but well laid out, with a very nice bathroom and shower. The spa (pool, amethyst steamroom, dry sauna, experience shower and plunge pool all included) was very relaxing, and mostly empty the weekend we were there. The general spa staff (we had no treatments as this was a short visit) is highly attentive, and not at all overbearing.

We had drinks in the Empress Lounge, where I sat for a few hours reading, and had an excellent late dinner at Cafe MoZU.

I highly recommend the hotel and look forward to returning for more relaxation.

This should be the last place you stay before you die because every place afterwards will be a letdown. Let's see, what does this place have going for itself?
* Location, Location, Location
* Unbelieveable service
* Gorgeous rooms
* Magnificant view
* Great food

Now the bad, expensive (but worth it for special occasions) or if you can find a special rate. Kinda tricky to get to from the metro although it is only 2 blocks (maybe I am just not good with directions). Hmmm, those are the only 2 bad and I am being really picky here. A couple things I have to add: The fitness room and spa is nice and should be taken advantage of. Lastly, they don't nickel and dime you for every little thing like most nicer hotels do. That is my biggest pet peeve for staying at upper scale places.

There is nothing really wrong with the MO DC. Nothing really great either. It could deliver more, but I would generally agree on the general tone of the previous reviews, that the overall attitude is too relax. In a nutshell, this is a resonably good place, but thise expecting THE Mandarin Oriental experience, that is the likes you get in Singapore are boung to be hugely disappointed. This nowhere close to the Asian standards of this company.

RESERVATION was made on the hotel website. Room classification was somehow confusing. Reserved a Mandarin Water View for 4 nights, with the Seasonal rate ($635+ nightly). Some enquiries about car rental were met exceedingly fast, but not at full extent. Concierge did not really answered all my questions, and could have been more helpful.

LOCATION is weird, but convenient. Looks like the whole area was dump, but has been heavily built-up. Mostly office buildings, making for an extremely quiet neighborhood, especially at night. We felt totally secured walking to the Smithsonian at any time of the day/night, a quick and easy 10-minute walk away. Wa also parked on a parallel street. Nice savings on the rip-off valet parking ($40).

CHECK-IN was a little long, especially after a transtlantic flight. The private chack-in in the Tai Pan lounge was not an option, apparently. Upon my questionning, they confirmed I was getting my Water View. They sent us to a room, with a beautiful view of the Washington Monument, that is after a huge parking lot, with a ridiculous amount of Water View to a corner of the window. This was confirmend by bellman, when he promptly delivered the luggage. This was the occasion of getting down to reception, and get things sorted out, eventually. But this started on a bad note ; I do not like to be fooled around by hotel staff, especially when i am paying big dollars. To be faired, they had initally slightly lowered the rate, as a City View.

ROOM on the 9th floor was somewhat smaller than expected. View was finally ok, not awsome : first a freeway, then the water, then the Potomac, and finally Roland Reagan Airport. very quiet. Good AirCon. Furniture start to show some ageing signs. Bed is extremely comfortable, same kind as Four Seasons or HeavenlyBeds. Flat TV both in the room and the bathroom. Good bathroom, with separate shower stall, but no separate toilets. Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, nice but scarce. They expect 2 pax to use a small bottle of gel a day. Good water pressure.
Housekeeping could use some training to do a better job, like dusting behind the TV set.

BREAKFAST is adequate. Nothing outstanding. The staff is extremely welcoming, and really go the extra mile to be prompt and helpful and smiling. We were an a B&B fare, but it looked adaquately prices, for that kind of place. We did not use room service. Breakfast at Tai Pan lounge was the same as downstairs. I did not experience an inferior fare, contrarily to previous reviewers.

CONCIERGE was helpful, and made some great recommandations and reservations.

TAI PAN lounge is nice. Not huge, and poorly staffed. Only one girl to attend to all, open the door, serve drinks. She runs, but the issue should be dealt with. All soft drinks are foc, and alcohol should be paid for. May be a rule in the US ? They will also take chairs outside for you on he huge balcony, would youlike to smoke. There you can enjoy the view.

CONCLUSION : I have staud previously at the Four Seasons in Georgetown. Each location has it advantages and drawbacks. At some extent, the same amount of travel will be necessary. The FS also affords disppointing freeway views. But I think the room and service there cannot be beat.