Announcement

**KeithMEL** · 18 October 2007, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by jhm View Post

After two recent stays at the Sheraton Miyako Tokyo (located near Meguro on the JR Yamanote line), I have to say that I think it's a great hotel - apart from the location.

Yes that's where I was booked due to very many positive comments before I worked out where it actually was. I misread someone's post on FT that the property is near Shinjuku when he actually meant convenient for getting to Shinjuku due to the proximity of the Yamanote line (and even then you need the free hotel shuttle to get back and forth from the subway?). The taxi fares are indeed also comparable to Melbourne's but I get by here on a monthly metcard for trams/buses/trains.

As I'll be traveling for almost 2 months I want to make sure I budget myself properly.

I agree with your observations about the other 3 hotels. I especially concur with your positive experience at the Westin Osaka - a hotel I'd definitely recommend to anyone visiting Osaka.

**KeithMEL** · 13 January 2008, 12:47 PM

The Hilton Tokyo

Tokyo is a massive city, and as such location is very important. I wanted to stay in Shinjuku and alas none of the Starwood properties were anywhere close. And as I have HH as my secondary hotel program, the Hilton in Shinjuku was a no-brainer.

The hotel is served by the NRT airport bus service which cost JPY3000 each way. They also have a courtesy shuttle to Shinjuku station. It is fairly well located with lots of restaurants and a big department store within a 20 minute walk. The Hyatt across the road is probably better located as it is just outside the MTR station - but the Hilton had double points promo going on so something has to give I guess. Most importantly the hotel is quite close to some of my usual hangouts on ni-chome, about a JPY790-800 taxi ride away.

As HH Gold I was upgraded to an Executive floor room with access to the Executive lounge. Maybe I'm easily pleased but I think this is pretty darn good for a mid tier status! There is also free broadband internet in the Executive floor rooms. Breakfast was served in the lounge 0630-1000 (or 1100 on weekends and public holidays), and happy hour ran from 1800-2000 every night. It was a rather pleasant lounge, though I didn't spend all that much time there.

EDITED TO ADD: Full bar service during happy hour, including cocktails and Piper Heidsieck NV.

This seems like a very old hotel as the facade looks rather jaded. However it has been renovated and so feels pretty new. My room was very modern with a good sized plasma tv; the decor fits my desire for something stylish and minimalist. The bed was very comfy, however the quilt was a little on the thin side.

The bathroom was extremely small, with a combined shower/bath. It was well-stocked with amenities from Crabtree & Evelyn, and some Japanese brand.

The service at this hotel is pretty efficient, for example my request for an adapter was responded to literally seconds after I've got off the phone. The staff are very friendly and always eager to assist, with particular kudos for the very resourceful concierge staff. Somehow I felt more at ease with the staff here than at the IC Tokyo Bay where I stayed in Feb - the staff were polite in the usual Japanese manner at the Hilton but it didn't feel like they were being over the top, whereas the IC had lots of surplus staff milling around aimlessly and whose only job is to bow and greet guests.

The rate is also quite reasonable unlike the Conrad, and is extremely good value for what you get. I'm one very satisfied guest thus far and will happily return to the Hilton Tokyo on future visits.

**HUGE AL** · 14 January 2008, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by jhm View Post

After two recent stays at the Sheraton Miyako Tokyo (located near Meguro on the JR Yamanote line), I have to say that I think it's a great hotel - apart from the location.

As a SPG gold, they upgraded me on both occasions to a nicer room (not a suite) and the staff were pretty friendly, e.g. the chatty girl who helped me with my luggage to my room.

The location isn't a huge problem if you're happy to pay taxi fares in Tokyo - e.g. about 1500 JPY back from dinner in Roppongi - which isn't so bad if you're used to London taxi prices. The hotel also runs a shuttle bus every 15 minutes to either Shinagawa or Meguro JR station (taking about 10 minutes for the trip) from early in the morning until 10pm.

For some really odd reason, I completely missed this post. The Sheraton that jhm is talking about is one of the hidden gems of Tokyo. If I'm not at the PHT, I always stay here. An added plus is the pastry shop a block away!

But I understand why KeithMEL wants to be near Shinjuku.

If you've got a late morning going on (after 11am), take a walk from the Hilton over to the PHT (< 10 minutes) and have some croissants at their pastry shop just before the hallway to the elevators (to the left immediately when you enter the main doors at valet) -- better than Paris!

**phaleesy** · 24 September 2008, 02:57 AM

Originally posted by KeithMEL View Post

Breakfast was served in the lounge 0630-1000 (or 1100 on weekends and public holidays), and happy hour ran from 1800-2000 every night. It was a rather pleasant lounge, though I didn't spend all that much time there.

EDITED TO ADD: Full bar service during happy hour, including cocktails and Piper Heidsieck NV.

Keith, did you get breakfast vouchers as a Gold? Can the vouchers be used for breakfast in the lobby instead? How was the breakfast spread in the lounge compared to the lobby?

Do they serve canapes etc during happy hour? Do they serve cakes/tarts etc outside these hours?

Sorry about the focus on food.

**KeithMEL** · 24 September 2008, 06:47 AM