I'm contemplating a genuine trip to Japan -- not a mileage run, but an actual vacation! Am planning at least some time in Tokyo and at least some time not in Tokyo -- and am making good progress re what to do when not in Tokyo. ( http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cove/5750/examplejrpass.html is very helpful, for example.)

Having stayed briefly in Tokyo once before, I'm a little uncertain as to what to do for a hotel, though. Obviously this is a pricey city, so some unusual expense is to be expected. Expedia Hotels reports ~$140 for what they consider a 2-star hotel. Any better options? Am open to western or traditional accomodations; appreciate a central location (or near the subweay); don't need anything too fancy; have Gold status with both Starwood and Hilton (but too few points with either to get a free stasy). Two people, probably for four nights in March.

Guidance much appreciated. (Wish I could credibly reciprocate for someone coming to BOS sometime soon...)

I'm a little biased being a Hilton fan, but the Tokyo Hilton-Shinjuku is only 1 block away from a subway stop and also has a very regular shuttle that runs the 8 minute route to/from Shinjuku station. Both options facilitate "easy" transfer around Tokyo.

If you do a search in the Hilton section of FT you will come up w/much more detail on this property.

[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 01-10-2002).]

I also planning a trip to Japan. I booked New Otani Inn Tokyo using UA 50% off cert which costs around JPY11500/room/night (USD$88) for 2 adults. I think its pretty good rate - you may be able to get UA miles on this hotel stay. Of course, you can use it for Hilton or Starwood brands hotel, but they are very expensive (USD$200+), even with UA50% off!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Expedia Hotels reports ~$140 for what they consider a 2-star hotel.</font>

You should be able to do better http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif People have been reporting specials in the $85-100 range for singles in non-centrally located ***-**** hotels such as the Holiday Inn in Ikebukuro or the Tokyo Dome hotel. While doubles do cost more, the difference is not that great.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Am open to western or traditional accomodations </font>

Not much in the way of middle-of-the-road traditional accomodations in Tokyo. They would be either the most expensive rooms in Japanese *****, or low-end ryokans such as those: http://members.aol.com/jinngroup/
Nothing wrong with those ryokans, but they usually have shared facilities, and the ones in Tokyo don't seem very centrally located.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> appreciate a central location (or near the subway)</font>

Virtually all hotels are near subway stations. You will pay more than average for hotels in high-rent areas (Ginza, Marunouchi, Akasaka, Ebisu, etc.), and less in more pedestrian areas (Ueno, Ikebukuro, etc.)
I usually think of the Shinjuku area as a good compromise between convenience (very good), price (fair), and flair (lacking).


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> have Gold status with both Starwood and Hilton </font>

This won't help much in this case since the Starwood and Hilton hotels in Tokyo hardly ever go below Y18,000 even on their weekend web specials. The Westin for one prices itself above other US ***** in Tokyo.


Here is a (not too relevant) page with some info that could help understand the Japanese hotel industry, and recognize some of the names you might run across during your search:
http://www.hotel-online.com/Neo/Trends/Andersen/2000_JapanHotelFuture.html

monahos, thanks for the pointers to the ryokans. I stayed in one the last time I was there, and I agree that they can be fine.

sxchan, $88/night for the New Otani Inn seems excellent to me -- far better than anything I can come up with on my own! Any thoughts on how I might find a UA 50% Off certificate? I get plenty of AA "upgrade to best available room" certs (and similar for cars, etc.), but don't fly UA in general, so I have no stock of these.

That rate for the New Otani is excellent. New Otani is a first class full service hotel in a very good location. You won't find anything comporable at near that price.

Personally, I don't really recommend staying in Shinjuku for a pleasure stay (unless you're really interested in exploring Kabukicho...the sleaziest area of Tokyo). I think Akasaka (where New Otani is located) or Ginza are the best areas for a leisure stay. You may find a good rate at the Akasaka Tokyu or possibly Capitol Tokyo.

Yes, the New Otani in Akasaka is a first-class address... If staying there, I recommend getting a (free) New Otani Club membership, good for a small discount and sometimes a bit of an upgrade.

The New Otani Inn in Shinagawa isn't quite the same beast, however...

If you need UA 50% off, I can get you some because I have plenty and dont use often.
Just send me an email.

Just FYI, there are 2 New Otani properties in Tokyo area. The one has cheaper price is called "New Otani Inn Tokyo". The other one called "New Otani Hotel" is much higher rate!!

I've been investigating the UA 50% off cert possibilities -- as that seems clearly the most desirable way to proceed here. (Basically, rack rate seems to be closer to "what folks actually pay" for hotels in Japan than in the US. So 50% off the rack rate is actually a valuable discount in Japan, while not so in the US.) But it's not as easy as it might be -- the new UA certs are not combinable (and each is only valid for two days), meaning that the 50% discount is seemingly only possible for a stay of two days in duration (with subsequent days at full rack rate or whatever small discount I could find), unless I did the check-out-and-check-back-in game which I'm hesitant to try. (Although I'm travelling with a friend, so with two nights of reservations in my name and two in my friend's, it might be OK.)

So I'm thinking about ryokans, many of which are in a neighborhood I like (Ueno) (having been there before) and which have a certain kind of appeal. Can anyone recommend any in particular? (monahos, thanks for the pointer to http://members.aol.com/jinngroup/ -- which is very helpful in this regard.)

bedelman,

Some more ryokans links here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2029.html

I have never stayed in a ryokan in Tokyo, but am partial to them when travelling in Japan on vacation; I had very good experiences in Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima ryokans.

monahos, thanks for the link. I may yet stay at a ryokan in Kyoto too. Any general or specific suggestions?

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 01-22-2002).]

An update on this -- with certs from sxchan (thank you! thank you! thank you!), I booked at the New Otani Inn a "Single Double" (yes, that's seriously what they call it -- a room with what americans would call a queen size bed) for two people for 8500 yen/night. (That's 50% of the regular 17000 yen rate.) Originally I had been quoted 6500 yen/night (half of 13000), but between when I received that quote and when I replied to confirm, the 13000 yen rooms sold out for the nights I needed. Still, at 8500 yen/night, this is an absolutely incredible bargain.

A special thanks to sxchan and everyone else who provided such helpful advice.

bedelman,

Don't worry - you CAN combine these UA certs (e.g., 2 certs for 4 consecutive nights). http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bedelman:
An update on this -- with certs from sxchan (thank you! thank you! thank you!), I booked at the New Otani Inn a "Single Double" (yes, that's seriously what they call it -- a room with what americans would call a queen size bed) for two people for 8500 yen/night. (That's 50% of the regular 17000 yen rate.) Originally I had been quoted 6500 yen/night (half of 13000), but between when I received that quote and when I replied to confirm, the 13000 yen rooms sold out for the nights I needed. Still, at 8500 yen/night, this is an absolutely incredible bargain.

A special thanks to sxchan and everyone else who provided such helpful advice.</font>

Don't forget to sign up for the New Otani Club membership on-line. It's free! In addition to reduced rates (which won't apply because you're using the cert), you have discounts in certain restaurants and Japan's notorious service charge won't be added to your bar tabs. The biggest savings for me, I'm not that much of a drinker, is the free breakfast which at the Otani will probably run about $25 per person.

BTW, great DL seatmap!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FTraveler:
Don't forget to sign up for the New Otani Club membership on-line. ... free breakfast which at the Otani will probably run about $25 per person.
</font>

I actually had thought of this myself. When I signed up the New Otani site specifically warned me that free breakfast was only available on "qualifying rates" or some such. And when asked about this at check-in, the woman told me my rate was too low. ("This very low rate, the very lowest we have, no breakfast with this," she said quite clearly.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
BTW, great DL seatmap!
</font>

Thanks! (That's http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/edelman/dlseats , part of http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/edelman/travel , for anyone interested or confused.) If you're buying tickets through delta.com, please consider clicking through the links on my page, as this ultimately gives me a couple dollars of commission now and then, and that helps me better justify spending time on creating more such resources in the future.