Why wasn't HKDL Hotel.........

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

Whenever I stay at the Grand Californian, I always request a view of the Grizzly Peak area. In my opinion, it's much better than the tacky Paradise Pier view or the Downtown Disney view. While I think the Grand Californian is a great hotel, it's still no MiraCosta.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

I must add that what makes staying at the Hotel MiraCosta so incredible is its location. You truly feel like you're staying in a Mediterranean Harbor. I can't even begin to desribe the immersiveness I felt. Hearing the beautiful background music pour in from the outside, seeing the gondolas row across the lagoon, watching Mount Prometheus erupt, or watching the lagoon shows from my room (with a perfect view I might add) elevates the MiraCosta beyond any other hotel experience I've ever had. That is, among several other things, what makes the MiraCosta so amazing and the reason why I think the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel will not be able to compare. Don't get me wrong. The location is not the only thing that makes the MiraCosta stand out; it's also the extreme attention to detail and beauty.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Miracosta rocks!

I'd love to stay there someday, but it's sort of hard to justify staying in a hotel just 10 minutes from your house.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

Well, I stay the Grand Californian even though it's within an hour's drive.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

The Miracosta does seem like a lovely hotel, but the TDLH is yet to be finished, so it will be hard to tell.

They may be putting more public space in, or a bigger pool. I am interested to see the finished product.

I do have to say though, the style and views of the MC look like they would be pretty hard to beat. If there is another quality hotel coming, then we will be spoint for choice, and whoknows, it may become easier for us to get a room in the MC.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

Hopefully, it will take some stress off the MiraCosta. Making a reservation is extremely difficult. You definitely have to call 6 months in advance to get the harbor view rooms and rooms with balconies or terraces.

From what I've been told by Japanese friends, the MiraCosta is famous for its views and location. Many feel it is the ultimate romantic getaway in terms of luxury and opulence. It will be interesting to see if the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel affects its popularity.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

I think it might to a degree. I suspect more families will go to the TDLH and more couples will go to the MC. Personally the victorian themed hotels of Disney do very little for me, but they are hugely popular around the globe and draw the highest price points.

And if it makes it easier for me to get a room at the MC, I'm in favour. Then I will most likely have a meal at the TDLH.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

I don't think the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel will charge higher rates for its rooms; the MiraCosta's rates are already incredibly high! I paid $942 for my first room, $665 for my second room, and $615 for my third room. If the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel's rates are any higher (and keep in mind it has nowhere near as superb a view as the MiraCosta), then I doubt it will attract many guests. The MiraCosta is definitely the most picturesque and photogenic as far as Disney hotels go, at least in my opinion. Oh, and you would be surprised at how many families I saw during my stay. Many families enjoy the privileges of staying inside a Disney park and being able to observe the magic and excitement up close. Couples like the hotel because it feels like a 5 star Italian resort on the coast. Very romantic, especially hearing the background music from Mediterranean Harbor.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

>>The Miracosta does seem like a lovely hotel, but the TDLH is yet to be finished, so it will be hard to tell.<<

Truth be told we can never really "know" til they open the place, right?

It sort of reminds me of DisneySea, actually, because believe it or not I watched the construction for years and knew a LOT about the place but was utterly lukewarm on the concept before I set foot in the place.

It just didn't "grab me"...and I thought it sounded lame. Then I entered the park and my jaw dropped. The rest is history.

>>They may be putting more public space in, or a bigger pool. I am interested to see the finished product.<<

From the looks of construction when I pass by, it sure is a TON bigger. It's going to DOMINATE the whole entrance area when they're done...and that's whether you are arriving by car, bus, or train.

As for the pool or whatever, hard to say since they (MOST hotels in Japan I mean including MiraCosta) charge like $20 or so extra per day for the privilege of using the pool/spa/workout facilities...I recently asked a friend about the Brighton pool (also $20 extra per day, so even though I was a multi-week guest there I never checked it out), and he said "it was lame". MiraCosta doesn't look all that special in that regard either (even though they charge accordingly, I think!), though the rare pics I've seen look very nice and detailed and all that (here's an idea, how cool would a JACUZZI view of the harbor be!!??).

Does the Ambassador even HAVE a pool?

Oh wait...I think I saw a pictorial (can't imagine where it's located though, must be hidden in the back by the parking lots maybe? with a big wall?).

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

>>Many feel it is the ultimate romantic getaway in terms of luxury and opulence.<<

I find this a touch ironic.

Sure, it's pretty maxed out when you look locally...BUT, for close to the same price (assuming the have to travel to stay there...travel being a big expense in Japan)...

They could actually go and stay at THE MOST luxurious and opulent hotel in the world, which is located in nearby Hong Kong (NO, NOT the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel ;p).

<a href="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury_hotel/hong_kong/the_peninsula_hong_kong" target="_blank">http://www.fivestaralliance.co
m/luxury_hotel/hong_kong/the_peninsula_hong_kong</a>

The Peninsula Hotel is widely regarded as the finest hotel ON THE PLANET...with rates comparable to the Mira Costa.

And, no disrespect to DisneySea, the views of Hong Kong Harbor overlooking the most amazing skyline on Earth simply blow away the lovely (but themeparkish) DisneySea views.

So, it's all about persective right?

And TDRFan, regarding your earlier comment (that was you right?), I would say I'd rather save up and stay at the Penninsula in exotic Hong Kong than stay in the hotel MiraCosta down the street from my place.

BUT...if I were living elsewhere and travelling to Tokyo Disney, MiraCosta would CERTAINLY be my second choice in the area (after the Brighton).

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

**I paid $942 for my first room, $665 for my second room, and $615 for my third room.**

Per night??

This is for 2 nights each room, right?



(if not, the Peninsula is FAR cheaper!! lol)

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Mr X- is the Penisula suppoesed to be better than the Burj Dubai? That was an awesome place.

Also, do you know what the New Otani hotel is like in Tokyo? We may swap some of our Marriott points in to stay there when we come to see you, I mean TDL in a couple of years.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

I've stayed at the New Otani in Makuhari Messe (much closer to TDL and also closer to the airport) and it was absolutely first rate!

In fact, better than the Brighton in ALL aspects except for the bathroom (the Brighton just has these freakin Amazing tubs...you just HAVE to take a bath or two per day! ).

New Otani is an excellent choice all around (I can only assume the Tokyo one is just as top notch).

And when I say "excellent", it's not just about the rooms (they are nice)...it's the level of service and, yes, opulance you receive (this was my very FIRST experience in Japan...and the minute I arrived and saw 3 pretty girls bow towards my bus I knew "I HAVE ARRIVED!"...it's pretty maxed out, anyway.

As for the Dubai hotel, I have no idea how it stacks up but all these "best of" reviews vary...I've read that Peninsula is "the best", but I'm sure you could find another reviewer to claim the Burj Dubai as number one, and someone else will say the Ritz Carlton NY etc...

However, I did do some extensive reviews (I'm a geek ) and the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong definitely cropped up a LOT as the "number one hotel", so that's the story I'm stickin with!

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

And also, looking forward to seeing you and the Baloo family at Disney, AND the Makuhari New Otani (that's a very nice area but we need to talk before you plan...pretty far from Tokyo so it might not work...maybe New Otani Tokyo is better after all)...real soon!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

No doubt we will talk Mr X - it's a little while off yet, but we have started saving. Probably going to come out for 3 weeks via HK, and check out see you and yours (a MUST), Tokyo, a few days (4) at MiraCosta, Mt Fuji, A number of temples and old towns e.g. Nara in rural Japan inc. a stay in traditional Japanese accommodations, Bullet Train to Osaka incl. Universal Studios. Any other recommendations - Nagoya? Okinawa? Hiroshima? We don't want to kill ourselves, but Tokyo, Nara, TDL and USJ are a must (after seeing the X family ;-)

But I suspect I may even be on the phone to you on the run up, plus I need to start learning Japanese.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Gotta say I'm jealous....it was nearly 10 years ago that I stayed at the New Otani for a couple of weeks, and I can honestly say I haven't stayed at a finer hotel before or since!! (except for the Brighton bathrooms...oh and the Pacific Terrace in San Diego was pretty awsome too with the beach views...but New Otani is OPULANT and AWSOME, definitely!)

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

<<< is the Penisula suppoesed to be better than the Burj Dubai? >>>

Interesting question. The situations where I've seen the Peninsula rated as #1 are from surveys of well-traveled individuals, not an evaluation by someone claiming to rate every hotel objectively. So, I suspect that the Peninsula has the benefit of having hosted far more guests among the typical "well-traveled" clientele than the hotel you mention in Dubai. Based on what I know about the Burj, it does offer a higher level of service than the Peninsula, but I can still see how the Peninsula would be regarded as the #1 hotel in the world.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

When you start talking about the finest hotels in the world, how much does the level of service really differ? I mean, they all pretty much do whatever is asked of them right? What more can they really do besides actually pick up your fork and personally feed you or have two scantily clad chambermaids tuck you in at night?

(I was going to say something about "happy ending" massages...but I think I'll skip it )

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

<<< (I was going to say something about "happy ending" massages...but I think I'll skip it ) >>>

You might as well go ahead and do so, as I already mis-read "tuck" the first time.

<<< When you start talking about the finest hotels in the world, how much does the level of service really differ? >>>

Level of service is only one thing. There's also the quality of the common facilities and those in the room. But talking about service, I think the Burj may have personal butler service. The Peninsula doesn't, at least in the regular rooms. Also, some of the very high end hotels will pick up every guest at the airport in a limo. Some will unpack and pack your luggage for you. Some will send someone out on the town to buy something that you need if they don't already have it. There's all sorts of things that a super-high-end hotel can do that most hotels don't, even those with otherwise outstanding service.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

^^ SD, Burj Al Arab effectively offers whatever you want. Having recently stayed there I was amazed at the level of service. But then it is $3,000 per night for a standard room. It is a phenomenal hotel from the restaurants and bars to the common space and the touches in the room.

There is little doubt that it is the greatest hotel in the world. It literally caters to your every whim including a helipad on the roof. No trip to Dubai would be complete without a stop off to at least see the hotel (although it is often closed off to non-residents or non-diners).