Highlights: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

•The Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. Hotel is located just four blocks from the National Mall--far enough away from the bustle to feel like a respite from the crowds

•Friendly, well-spoken, and attentive staff makes guests feel at home

•“East meets West design” creates elegant and comfortable guest rooms, lounges, and restaurants

•CityZen, the hotel’s Mobil Four-Star restaurant, furthers Eric Ziebold’s reputation as one of America’s most highly regarded chefs

•Mobil Four-Star Spa offers individualized, pampering treatments that combine a range of Asian therapies

Amenities: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

• 400 rooms. Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, two bars. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

The four blocks between The Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel and the National Mall provides easy access to the District’s attractions and just enough distance from the tourist hub to offer a respite from the crowds. The hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a garden, the Washington Marina on the Potomac River, or the Jefferson Memorial, creating a sense of openness. The Asian art and Zen-like touches add to the upscale and serene feel. The Mandarin Oriental Washington DC Hotel has constructed a path, including an elevated walkway, from the hotel to the Tidal Basin, a convenient touch for guests.

The grand lobby, a 35-foot rotunda ringed with walnut and oak pillars and a marble floor, echoes the design of the Jefferson Memorial but also adds a touch of formality to the reception. This, along with 400 guest rooms, helps mark this property as a business or family hotel, and less so as a romantic retreat.

The décor mixes Western and Asian influences perfectly. A pair of contemporary Mandarin jackets sewn with swirls of white pearls hangs behind the reception desk, and a fanciful painting of the last Empress floating on a swing above the Washington’s skyline adorns one of the lobby’s walls. The hotel worked with the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries to create more than 200 replicas of Asian art in their collections, many of which hang throughout the hallways on guest floors.

The L’Enfant Plaza Metro Rail stop is a manageable walk from the hotel, providing access to the downtown business corridor, Capitol Hill, uptown shopping, and other popular areas in the city. Especially on weekends, families take advantage of the property’s locale and reduced rates. Through February 28, 2007, the Mandarin Oriental, in conjunction with the International Spy Museum, offers Little Fans (child guests) an “I Spy” package that includes four museum passes. At check-in, kids choose an alias and receive a top-secret file from “Agent Green” at the concierge desk. The file’s handbook gives children a head start on sleuthing techniques to use at the museum to solve their cases. After children complete their mission questionnaires at the Spy Museum, the budding agents receive a gift from Agent Green.

Young hotel guests will also like the 50-foot, heated indoor lap pool (during appointed hours, of course), a nice spot with sunlight streaming in from a skylight, as well as the children’s room service menu.

(+) Location and Asian décor ideal for business and getaway travelers
(-) Limited amenities for romantic travelers

Guest Services: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

Upon my arrival to the Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel, I was warmly greeted and my baggage was taken care of. Even though I did wait in line at the front desk, check-in was handled well. As the front desk agent walked around the counter to hand me my keys, I felt as if the staff was genuinely happy to see me. My bags arrived to my room within ten minutes. The bellman, who did bring me ice, did not point out anything unique to the room.

Throughout my stay the service was good except for a few shortcomings. It took me three phone calls before I could reach the concierge because no one answered the line. When I did reach him, he provided several restaurant recommendations, but didn’t suggest that I stop by the desk to peruse menus or obtain a map or directions.

Although daily housekeeping was performed well, with the linens replaced and the wastebaskets emptied, the complimentary toiletries were not replenished.

My messages and faxes were handled confidentially, and my laundry items were picked up and returned to me in good condition and expertly pressed, although it took longer than promised to have them delivered.

The hotel provided a friendly and efficient departure service. The bellman arrived in my room within five minutes of being called, waited with my luggage at the front desk while I checked out, escorted me to a taxi, and wished me a safe trip.

(+) Exceptional service from friendly staff
(-) Concierge and housekeeping services weren’t as flawless as expected

Guest Rooms: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

Of the 400 guest rooms in the Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel, there are 347 deluxe rooms and 53 suites, including one Presidential suite occupying 3,512 square feet. All of the rooms offer a good-sized desk with ample room for working. Most of the rooms have either a view of the Jefferson Memorial or of the Washington Marina on the Potomac; the remainder have city views. Feng shui principles are upheld--desk chairs never have their backs to the door and mirrors are never placed near the door.

The East meets West décor continues with draperies inspired by Asian patterns, silk covered couches or chaise lounges, and headboards of hand-woven Thai silk. Hanging on the wall above each bed is a tapestry of Thai silk. Most rooms feature a burnt orange and pale green décor, but the seventh and eighth floors use red, burgundy, and beige. The HDTV rests on a tansu, a piece inspired by a Japanese-style chest.

All guest rooms feature luxurious Fili d’Oro linens, high-speed Internet access, three dual-line telephones with voice mail and data ports, and an in-room safe large enough for a laptop computer. In addition, each room has a private bar stocked with premium liquors, soda and other refreshments, as well as a CD/DVD radio stereo system, complimentary overnight shoeshine, and twice-daily housekeeping.

(+) Elegant guest rooms feature blend of Asian and western décor

Facilities & Activities: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

At the Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel fitness center, light streams in from the windows, creating a pleasant place for a workout on a variety of high-tech equipment, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, and other cardio equipment, all with their own televisions. Headphones, water, and fresh fruit are also provided.

The hotel’s Mobil Four-Star 10,500-square-foot spa pampers guests with a variety of treatments that incorporate aspects of Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese, and Thai therapies. Along with aromatherapy, deep tissue, shiatsu, Reiki, and other types of massage, the spa specializes in Time Rituals. These therapies, which take a minimum of two hours, are booked by time instead of treatment so that the therapist can suggest the services that best suit each guest’s needs.

Since the Mandarin Oriental is situated near the National Mall, it’s easy to visit Washington’s many museums and memorials. Georgetown and Capitol Hill are easy cab rides away.

(+) Spa therapies are individualized and soothing; location allows easy access to DC’s many attractions

Dining & Lounge: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

The Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel offers two restaurants, including Café Mōzu, which has a sushi kitchen and cuisine that blends Asian and European influences, in a beautiful room with a contemporary feel and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Washington Marina. Café Mōzu serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The other dining option is Mobil Four-Star CityZen, one the DC’s top restaurants under the aegis of Chef Eric Ziebold of Napa Valley. He describes his fare “Classic American with a twist.”

Just off the main lobby, the Empress Lounge, with its wall-size windows overlooking the garden and a soft beige color palette with accents of Asian screens and other oriental art, is a soothing place to relax. The lounge serves an exceptional variety of liquors and wines.

(+) Fine dining at Mobil Four-Star CityZen; the Empress Lounge serves an exceptional variety of wines and liquors

Business Services: Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

The Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel has a fully staffed business center open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At other times, guests can go to the front desk to request that the business center be opened. Four flat-screen computers as well as a printer and a copy machine are available for use. During my visit, my messages and faxes were handled confidentially.

The light-filled Empress Lounge just off the main lobby has views of the lawn and, in places, the Jefferson Monument. Since the lounge has wireless Internet, this is also a good place to do some work.

(+) Staffed business center designed to serve variety of needs