Peninsula Tokyo

 

With its white gloved valet and bellhop welcoming every guest that arrives at the Peninsula Tokyo, service and luxury begins at the doorstep. We go through the revolving doors and at once are escorted to the check-in desk. The Peninsula brand has definitely made its name from their excellent hospitality and service, but the Peninsula Tokyo takes on an innovative approach to stand out from other luxury hotels in the area. Aligned with the Japanese fascination of technology, the Peninsula Tokyo embraces this very character in the guest rooms. The room has every touch of high tech and luxury amenities that make our stay very special.

The walk-in closet is spacious especially by Tokyo standards. Any hotel that adds in important details, however seemingly trivial, for female guests has a special place in my heart. At the dresser in front of the mirror is a cushioned seat for makeup application. An in-built nail dryer is also present at the side for her to paint her nails before a night out in town. As if not not pampering enough, there is also an in-built radio controls at the dresser for me to select my entertainment while I apply my makeup. Listening to a mix of J-pop and American music before a night out at Ginza- I think that's a win situation. In the closet drawer is a set of comfortable yukata (Japanese robe) for us to change into once we're back in the hotel and want to get out of our clothes.

 

In the morning, we open our valet box to retrieve the newspapers delivered to our room, an accompaniment for our Lavazza espresso made from the machine in the room. There's a 2-seater dining table already laid with silverware and plates that we sit at every morning.

 

The room, bathroom, and bathtub have in-built electric controls in the wall for lights, radio, and TV. In the shower, we have both rain shower and handheld shower. When the toilet bowl is not used after awhile, the seat cover automatically comes down to cover the seat. As someone approaches the toilet bowl, the sensor senses it and the seat cover automatically comes up. As part of the toilet bowl controls, one can choose if the seat itself be lifted up with the seat cover or not, once again taking into consideration if the user is female or male. There's always a fascination among T and I with how even toilet functions embrace the Japanese' love of technology. The Peninsula Tokyo takes the technology and combines it with luxury that is offered to its guests.

Our bed area and sitting room are spacious for a deluxe room. The light switch on the wall illuminates when we approach so that we can actually see the switch itself when it's dark or dim. At night, the alarm and light switch on the bedside table also illuminate with dim glow when we touch the table or put something on the table. Every evening when we return to our room, we are welcomed by the already completed turn down service with bedroom slippers and bottled water on each side of the bed.

The hotel is directly connected to the Hibiya metro station via Exit 6A and 7A, hence there is no need to go outdoors to and from the train on a cold day. The JR Yurakucho train tracks are only a 2-3 minute walk away and under the train tracks are countless of izakayas, eating and drinking establishments that are popular among salarymen. The running route around the perimeter of the Imperial Palace that is popular among local runners or joggers is literally across the street from the hotel. When we want to splurge on style and fashion, it's just a short walk away to the Ginza shopping area.



--
Peninsula Tokyo
1-8-1 Yurakucho
Chiyoda, Tokyo

St Regis Osaka

Hotels are interestingly diversified places in what people see them as. Some people love them and see it as a getaway place to relax and rejuvenate. Others see it as only a place to go to sleep at night when traveling away from home. When traveling, guests may miss the familiarity of home whether he or she realizes it or not. When a hotel and its people successfully create a space that feels like home away from home, I think that's when the hotel has achieved success. My feelings on the day of check-out from St Regis Osaka probably reflects how much I really love this home away from home. I say to T, "Oh, I'm sad, why can't we stay here forever..." Alas, short fantasies like that are best kept as stints so we appreciate them more. At a St Regis hotel anywhere in the world, one expects wonderful, wonderful service. Add in the Japanese hospitality and the service becomes exceptional.

 

We arrive at the hotel and are greeted by the helpful bellhop. We take the elevator up to the lobby. The personal service begins here. Instead of standing at a counter for check-in, guests are assisted at the sit-down check-in desk. Thanks to T's SPG upgrade passes, we are upgraded to the Hagis suite. The lady who assists us informs us that our suite is not ready yet. She politely apologizes for our wait and invites us to the St Regis Bar for a complimentary drink.

After a drink at the St Regis Bar, we head up to our suite with Osaka skyline views. Within 10 minutes, our butler arrives, introduces himself, and very politely asks if he may take some time to explain the functions found in the living room and bedroom. He takes the moment to make sure we feel comfortably at home. Timothy, our butler, shows us the bedside controls for the lights, curtains, and door signs. He informs us that if the feather pillow is too soft for our liking, we can request for another type from their pillow menu that has 12 types of pillows.

We have a butler box located next to the main door of our suite. The butler box is accessible by us through a sliding door from inside our suite while the butler has access to it through a secured mini door from the outside. Newspapers are put in the box every morning. We send pieces of clothing to be pressed and leave them at the butler box. The butler comes to retrieve them and then leaves our pressed clothing in the butler box when ready. There is no hassle of him ringing our doorbell to return our clothing.

The mini bar has a Nespresso machine which means we are able to continue with our daily Nespresso drinks as if at home in Chicago. The walk-in closet is certainly a win for any woman's heart (it is for me!). The bathroom has the most pampering shower with 5 sprays and water shooting out from different angles. Every evening when we return, turndown service is already completed by housekeeping with lights dimmed, soft music playing from the TV, and yukata laid on the bed for us.

Timothy gives us printed information and directions to our dinner reservation which we had requested the hotel to assist in making, about a month prior to our visit. While speaking with us, he inquires about our earlier lunch reservation that day which the hotel also assisted in a month ago. He asks me if the restaurant remembered not to put shrimp in our meal due to my allergy. How thoughtful of him to remember and check in with us on this although the last time we informed them about my allergy for reservation purposes was a month ago. The people at St Regis Osaka care and they find ways to show that they care. They make it a home away from home for us, and very much a personal touch of experience.


St Regis Osaka is conveniently located just next to Honmachi Station. To access the hotel, use Exit 7 and then take the elevator or escalator up to street level. Turn right and walk around the corner to the hotel entrance.


--
St Regis
3-6-12 Honmachi
Chuo-ku, Osaka

The St Regis Bar, Osaka

 

Hotel bars almost always don't get enough of a recognition that they deserve because well, most of them are just hotel bars with passable drinks. Once in awhile you come across a bar at a hotel that earns a spot in your list of favorite places and then you think to yourself why can't other hotel bars be this special? The St Regis Bar in Osaka deserves every mentionable praise especially when combined with the hotel brand's of hospitality and Japanese graciousness.

We are early for check-in in the afternoon and head to the bar for a round of drinks. At this time, the only other guests inside is a group of suited businessmen seated at a table. The room is very inviting with the comfortable armchairs. We forgo this and head straight for bar seating. The very lovely female bartender becomes one of the friendliest bartender we meet. An absolutely sweet lady, we watch her prepare drinks in a manner that is so smooth and suave yet without any forced energy when it comes to shaking up cocktails or pouring liquor. She tells us about the St Regis Bar layout and that many pieces of art on the walls have a purpose, which is to represent and reflect traditional Japanese elements. The impressive piece of painting that acts as the backdrop for the bar is a visual representation of the city of Osaka with the St Regis hotel drawn in along with other popular Osakan landmarks. Another traditional Japanese pictorial element on the wall include a mask used in theatrical drama of kabuki; the other is an art piece on the mirrored wall that symbolizes Nippon or Nihon (Japan in Japanese) as the "Land of the rising sun."

 

This first afternoon we decide to save the signature St Regis Bloody Mary for the next night and so we peruse the sake selections. Indecisiveness takes over and the bartender suggests we try two matsu sake; one dry and the other sweet. Matsu is the traditional way of serving sake in a wooden box and the sake is sipped from one of the corners of the box. We enjoy the sake with conversations between us and the bartender. We talk about Japan, food, and drinks. Building a relationship with the bartender is always something we like to do to show appreciation of their craft.

When it comes to drinks, the essence of a drinking place, they shine in Bloody Mary. Known to loyal St Regis guests all over the world is the hotel's initiative in creating versions of the Bloody Mary drink with a twist that is unique to that city while incorporating localized elements into the libation. St Regis Osaka's very own version is the Shogun Mary made with wasabi, shoyu, fresh celery juice, tomato juice, yuzu and tabasco. Around the glass rim is powdered wasabi. Bloody Mary versions from other cities can also be and the bartender prepares for us a Red Snapper, the signature of the St Regis New York. This version is made with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, tabasco, cayenne pepper, and black peppercorn. We compare the taste and flavor of Shogun Mary and Red Snapper and become impressed at how closely they are made to reflect each culture's taste. The Japanese is known for making incredible cuisine that focuses on very delicate and pure flavors. The Shogun Mary reflected just that- the cocktail is light and delicate. We take a sip of the Red Snapper and at once notice the difference in intensity of a bold taste.

The bartender asks us to name some favorites drinks of people in Chicago. She takes out a notepad from her pocket and is ready to take notes. She says that she wants to try and make them. That could be quite a tough one since people's tastes are so diverse. We tell her about the Pickleback. She absolutely must know about it! Well, it's really because we absolutely love it and in recent months it has become the favorite drink among bartenders. It started in NYC and now of course trendy bars in Chicago are offering it. Pickleback? She looks confused. Oh, it's easy, we tell her. You don't need a recipe for that. Just take a shot of Jameson whiskey (it has to be Irish whiskey, at least, as other types of whiskey won't work) and then followed by a shot of pickle juice/brine. The after taste is umami, we tell her.



--
The St Regis Bar
St Regis Hotel
3-6-12 Honmachi
Chuo-ku, Osaka

Westin Vendôme - Paris

We arrive at the Westin, get off the taxi, and are greeted by the friendly bellhop as he assists with our bags. "Bonjour, madame", he enthusiastically greets me. "Bonjour, monsieur. Ça va?" I ask. He smiles with a reply, "Ça va bien." Finally, we're in Paris.

We make our way to the check-in counter and follow the sign for Platinum check-in though it becomes a tad bit confusing here. There's a sit-down desk on one end and check-in counters to the side. We figured the sit-down desk might be part of the concierge and waited at the check-in counter where we hear other Platinum members also checking in (later during our stay we find out that the sit-down desk does provide Platinum check-in services). We overhear another employee behind the counter asking a hotel guest standing next to us how her stay has been. The guest replies, "This is actually the nicest Westin I've been to."

The Westin in Paris is located in a historic building which previously housed the InterContinental Hotel. Prior to our arrival, we wondered if this Westin was perhaps a hotel with faded glory. The grandeur of the hotel is reflected pretty well today and it is maintained to fit in with its location in the well-heeled area of 1st arrondissement of Paris.

 

Staying at the one-bedroom corner room suite means we have views of the Eiffel Tower regardless of whether we looked out the south or west facing windows of the suite. Yes, they are working windows that actually open out! Waking up and going to bed to morning and night views of the Eiffel Tower make our stay in Paris seem like a dream. Jardin des Tuileries is closer to us and a little more east is the Musée du Louvre.

Inside the suite is a separate sitting room and bed room; the sitting room with couches and a desk, the bedroom with two queen beds. Both rooms each has a TV. The closet is located in the foyer by the entrance. Turndown service is always a nice added touch and every evening we return to find our beds "turned down" and curtains drawn. Chocolates and the TV remote control are also left on our pillows. Hotels today know the way to a woman's heart through wonderful toiletries and at the Westin Paris, Hermès toiletries are provided in the suites (regular rooms receive the signature Westin products).

 

We appreciate very much the thoughtful gesture of T's dedicated Starwood Ambassador who arranged for a bottle of red wine and a box of delicious Jean-Paul Hévin chocolates brought to the room for us. It is wonderful to kick back and relax on the couch with a glass of wine in hand on the couch. 

The Westin Paris is situated nicely in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Runners or joggers can join locals doing so every morning at Jardin des Tuileries just outside the hotel. Luxury shopping along Rue Saint-Honoré and at Place Vendôme are around the corner. A Pierre Hermé location is 2 blocks from the hotel for our daily dose of macarons. It is less than a 10-min walk to the Musée du Louvre which is a huge plus if you want to to go early and beat the crowd to the Mona Lisa. The hotel is in between two metro stations- Tuileries and Concorde, both of which are less than a 5-min walk away so when we're not enjoying the view from our room we are conveniently out and about exploring Paris.

--
Westin Paris
3 Rue de Castiglione
75001 Paris 

Four Seasons Las Vegas

Anyone looking for a lovely 5-star hotel experience in Las Vegas without the hustle and bustle of a typical hotel on the Strip, Four Seasons is the answer. Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental are purportedly the only true 5-star hotels on the Strip and this time we decide to give Four Seasons a try. The property is located on the top floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and to be precise, Four Seasons occupies floors 35-39 of the Mandalay Bay. There is no indication of the presence of Four Seasons when walking or driving along the Strip and there is no towering signage for the hotel like one would expect of every hotel on the Strip clamoring for grandeur and attention. Perhaps the hotel is deliberately aiming for an understatement. Just as the taxi pulls into hotel driveway, we see the driveway entrance signage of the Four Seasons hotel. The hotel has it own separate entrance, concierge, taxi drop-off, lobby, and elevators from the Mandalay Bay. The Four Seasons elevators will take you straight to floors 35-39, lobby (where the pool is), and the C level (here you conveniently connect to Mandalay Bay).

The hotel is tranquil and serene. It does not have a casino which also means that it is a non-smoking hotel unlike other casino hotel resorts. If you're looking for a tranquil change from the usual Las Vegas hotels, Four Seasons offers a reprieve. As expected, there are no spring-breakers here but the working professional crowd. This particular Four Seasons in Las Vegas aims to be family-friendly; we spot many families with kids but do not feel that the kids here take away the adult experience at the pool area which many people look for when coming to Las Vegas.

The pool is small but it is never completely full during our pool visits so pool chairs are usually always available. The pool itself offers a 5-star experience to hotel guests. We walk into the pool area, the attendant looks up our room number and name in the system. He grabs some towels for us and escorts us to the section we would like to relax at. He then sets up the pool wicker chairs for us and lines them with the towel chair covers. He comes back a few minutes later with a pitcher of ice water and plastic cups. One day, it is strawberry-flavored water and on another, it is lemon-flavored. At random times, one of the attendants walks around the pool area and offers complimentary mini ice treats to help the guests keep cool. On one day it is a frozen sliced pineapple on a stick; on another day it is a taste of peach smoothie. Sunscreen and newspapers are also provided at one of the water stations. An attendant comes by and asks if we would like some Evian spritz to be sprayed onto our faces to help us keep cool. Yes, please!

One of the plus points is that guests at the Four Seasons are allowed to use Mandalay Bay's pool facilities (but not the reverse). Moorea Beach Club (topless optional) over at Mandalay Bay is just a few feet away from the Four Seasons pool.

In true Four Seasons style, the hotel offers turndown service every evening. Complimentary shoe shine is also offered. Our room is clean and we enjoy the fluffy pillows. Admittedly, I'm a tad bit disappointed that this location does not offer L'Occitane toiletries like the other Four Seasons hotels but I end up really enjoying the scent of the toiletries brand offered here.

We order room service for breakfast one day- just a simple bread basket and soft boiled eggs- and they arrive timely. The weekend-only brunch buffet spread at The Verandah cafe is not as elaborate as the Wynn or Bellagio, but it is more than adequate with its selections of charcuterie, pastries, made-to-order omelet station, hot food, doughnut station, and a make-your-own Bloody Mary station. I'm an instant fan of the house-made peanut butter for my toast. After we recharge ourselves at breakfast, it is pool time again.

Wonderful 5-star experience all around and looking forward to return.

Retreating in Las Vegas

As part of our yearly ritual, we spent the last weekend in Las Vegas. As much as this 9th trip to Las Vegas was part our summer tradition, it took quite a different turn from our previous trips.

Firstly, walking the Strip, late night partying, Cirque du Soleil shows-- been there, done that. This time, we spent most of our time relaxing in the hotel and vegetating by the pool.

Secondly, we usually stay at different hotels during each visit to Sin City. Last year, we loved the Encore so much that we promised to return there on our next trip. And we did. Most of our time last weekend were spent on the grounds of the Encore and the Wynn. The Encore itself is such a gorgeous hotel and the added benefit of being a hotel guest at the Encore or the Wynn which allows access and use of amenities at either hotel is a fantastic selling point. Both towers are connected to each other and Steve Wynn must have envisioned to build a city within a city when the place was constructed. Even if you don't want to try your luck at the casino table, it is hard to stay away from the luxurious pool and world class restaurants on the hotel grounds.

This trip where we almost "did nothing" was one of our most relaxing moments, ever. Now we just wished we could live that fantasy life in Las Vegas just a little longer.

For a detailed review of the Encore, read the original review here.