I like the MO because it is elegant, understated, great rooms and great service - this experience was no different.

We arrived during Hurricane Sandy and the staff were exemplary. For a start we had accidentally booked the wrong dates but this was quickly rectified and the same room type was found for us as smooth as silk. Our daughter's university visits had been cancelled due to the hurricane but the gentleman at reception took the trouble to find out which unis we had wanted to visit and sent up info packages on each to our room.

Both room and bathroom were spacious with lovely amenities (although I personally am not keen on their blood orange range). Great stay and great staff.

The Mandarin is a lovely hotel. The service is amazing. Everyone is helpful and extremely conscientious. We were celebrating two special occasions. I really wanted our celebration to be special and the hotel was amazing. We were upgraded and our room was huge. It was located next to the elevator which I normally do not like, but the room is so well laid out that I did not hear any noise from the elevator. The bathroom was absolutely gorgeous! It might be the best bathroom I have ever encountered. I would definitely stay again.

I scheduled several spa treatments and everyone at the spa was remarkable. All our treatments were excellent and the spa is fantastic. I would definitely go again and would encourage everyone I know to go to the Mandarin Spa. It would be perfect if there was a coed waiting room.

I really think that the only shortcoming is Asana. The food is only okay. For dinner, the presentation was unimpressive and the food was only okay. Though our allergies were listed, they were ignored and I was served a course that included one of the listed ingredients. The service and food at breakfast was sorely lacking.

On arrival we were upgraded to the Dynasty Suite (amazing). We stay in many first class hotels, often in large luxury suites, but this suite was absolutely over the top.

It features a functional office, kitchen, dinning room for 8, living room for 12+, huge bedroom, high tech bathrooms, a dressing room the size of a hotel room, $30K ferrari sound system, fireplace, the list goes on.

As for the hotel itself, the location is great for exploring the city. Asan (sp?) Restaurant on site had a wonderful menu and was a great place to have a late night dinner after a late check-in. All dishes that we tried were skillfully prepared. The restaurant had a buzz for a Saturday night, so no point going elsewhere outside the hotel (we tried, but ended up returning to the hotel for dinner after seeing that this was likely the place to be).

Room service in the morning for breakfast was prompt and tasty. Missed out on the lobster omlette as it was sold out, apparently a hit at the hotel.

If you are considering this hotel for a special occasion, do yourself a favour and book the Dynasty Suite. It is sure to Wow even a seasoned snob!

I rate this only based on my experience, since I can honestly say I do not stay in luxury hotels so I cannot compare it to others.

I really enjoyed my stay; most of my travel is for pleasure and I only stayed at this luxury hotel because of a conference my company sent me to, and brought my husband along for the experience. Although I’m sure there are people who expect and enjoy this type of service, this is not something I would pay for, but the higher price is justified based on the level of service and the high quality of the room. The room was spacious, with both a desk and a loveseat. The décor was upscale and well maintained. The bathroom was large with a choice of a waterfall shower or traditional multi pulse showerhead. The bed was very comfortable, high thread count sheets. An honor bar was in the room, overpriced as usual, but convenient if you just do not want to go get something. Our preference is for a frig and microwave (I did not check if that was available), but we were able to move some things out of the honor bar to place a couple bottles of soda and juice.

Upon arrival they provide complementary tea service (hot or cold). Each night they turn down the bed, and provide a linen cloth where they place the hotel provided slippers (or your own if they were by the bed). There was also provided a plush bathrobe and several complimentary items in the bathroom over and above the usual, I do not remember all the items, but it came in a pretty wood box.

The hotel was decorated with museum quality Asian art and was a pleasure to walk around.

The attention to detail and the service was unexpected. When you check out or check in the staff comes from behind the counter to personally hand you your keys/ receipt. We valet parked our car and the doorman remembered our name during our stay (we were there for 2 nights, but came in early and left later in the day). There is a free car service to anywhere within a couple of miles (you are on your own to get back) which was a nice touch when we went out to dinner.

There was a spa, which I did not use. However, I did use the fitness equipment – the usual except laid out with different rooms for the various machines making it feel more spacious.

We did not eat there, except for the lunch I had that was part of the conference. It was very good, sandwiches but with the extra touches that make it more than a sandwich. Fried pickles were especially good.

Only two things: with as much as the hotel was per night – they charge for Wi-Fi. They said they had very fast access, I did not see the difference. And the other is something just to get used to, although I suspect if we had been there longer they would have anticipated our need. You have call to get ice, there are no ice machines accessible for guests. But this I expect is the service that those who prefer luxury hottest expect.