What is everyone suggestions?
Convenience
Service
Best Value for the Points
Hilton,Starwood or Marriott.

We will be there November 25 to Dec2nd
Anything Special going on?

And how long is a piece of string?

What sort of hotels have struck your fancy so far?

Which areas of Tokyo are you hoping to visit?

What kind of budget do you want to keep to?

Marriott points won't get you much in Tokyo.
For value from SPG points, I'd suggest you look at Le Meridien near Shinagawa Station (although you can stay in The Westin near Ebisu too) EDIT - I now suggest Sheraton Miyako
For Hilton. You can stay at the NRT Hilton on your last night... otherwise there are many good reviews of the Hilton near Shinjuku.
Have you actually checked ANY of these yet???

Without points and if there are two of you, IMO the best value hotel I know of (not the cheapest, but the one that offers the best facilities my yen can buy) is the Takanawa Prince (http://www.flyertalk.com/reviews/review.php?review_id=172), just next to Le Meridien near Shinagawa Station on the ultra convenient Yamanote Line. If you're linked to the US Government/Armed Services (and only if you have this link) best deal seems to be the Sanno.

You could also spend a couple of nights in nearby Yokohama on top of Japan's tallest building at the Royal Park Hotel - it occupies the highest stories of Landmark Tower. Expedia has good rates for this - about $150 per night for two.


Convenience? Convenience for what??? If a hotel is near the Yamanote Line its cheap and easy to get everywhere - you just need to return a little after midnight.

Service? It's Tokyo!!! Service is good everywhere!

I stayed at the Dai Ichi Hotel Annex which is just off the Ginza. Got a rate of about $125/night off Expedia. While the rooms are not large, they are adequate. Had fun going to the local public bath (ask the hotel desk for info-they are very helpful and hand out supersized local maps which really helped). The Japanese are said not to stare, but the guys at the bath couldn't help themselves! ;) Also great-hundreds of restaurants under the nearby railroad tracks-an amazing scene with some good value sushi places (look for the line of locals to pick out the top value spots).

The location was amazing and I would stay there again. Reasonable is not a word which has a lot of application is Tokyo, but I thought it was relatively good value. Only negative (apparently common in Japan) was that the gym and swimming pool cost an extra $20 a day. Apparently the Dai Ichi Annex does have some sort of FF miles deal, but I didn't look into it.

Location of Marriott / Starwood / Hilton locations - These comments are purely subjective. As LapLap pointed out, the "convenience" of a location entirely depends on what you want to do and where you want to go in Tokyo.

Summary = In order of "convenience" of location:
Conrad Tokyo
Ginza Tobu Marriott
Le Méridien Pacific Tokyo
Atago Forest Tower (but not an option for short term)

Naturally, if you have a special need to stay near Disneyland / Narita / O-Daiba... then the other hotels listed have merit.

Marriott

1. Ginza Tobu Marriott - reasonably priced and arguably "conveniently located" (if Ginza is the area you want to be in). But looks IMHO like a "blah" Japanese mid-range property, onto which Marriott stuck its badge.

2. Atago Forest Tower (Marriott Executive Apartments) - only an option for longer term (1month+) visitors. Good location IMHO.

Starwood
1. Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel - Far from central Tokyo - Near Disneyland - inconvenient for anything else.
2. The Westin Tokyo - Luxury Hotel. West side of town (Ebisu) - Inconvenient location.
3. Le Méridien Grand Pacific Tokyo - Inconvenient location - O-Daiba
4. Le Méridien Pacific Tokyo - Shinagawa - Convenient-ish location
5. The Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel and Towers - In Yokohama (not Tokyo itself).

Hilton
1. Hilton Tokyo - On the far West of Shinjuku. Convenient-ish if you want to be in the Shinjuku area.
2. Hilton Tokyo Bay - Far from central Tokyo - Near Disneyland - inconvenient for anything else.
3. Conrad Tokyo - Super luxury hotel. Good location for Ginza and East side of town, Neighbourhood immediately around the hotel is "sterile"
4. Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport - Next to the airport. Only suitable if doing a Narita stopover etc.


As for "Best Value for the Points" - I think that Tokyo is a variation on the "You get what you pay for" theme.
The Tokyo version might be "You get what you pay for, but smaller"

Service is universally good - At the high-end luxury places it should be good enough to make you cry. (If it isn't, then you'll be crying about the prices).

I would not regard Ebisu as an inconvenient location. I really like Ebisu. Admittedly, the Westin is a 12 minute walk (involving some moving walkways) from Ebisu station, but that's not terrible.

I agree that Ebisu isn't inconvenient. It's a nice enough neighbourhood. I stayed at the Westin last week and it's a pretty decent hotel. If you want inconvenient, the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is really in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise if your are feeling more adventurous try a Ryokan instead of a westrn style hotel

This is an old, old debate that we needn't kick off again, but I don't regard the Park Hyatt as inconveniently located either. It's certainly no farther from Shinjuku station than the Hilton.

I don't believe that Tokyo is known for great ryokans. Anyone have a counter-example? If you want to try a ryokan, maybe do that elsewhere.

I wouldn't consider any of the western chain hotels in Shinjuku or Ebisu to be too far from the station. You may have to walk for a minute, but that's not a big deal. The Shinjuku Hilton has a shuttle bus, and I would imagine that the Park Hyatt does as well. The Ebisu Westin is in a nice area of Ebisu - Ebisu Gardens - that I really enjoyed when I lived in the Tokyo. I consider Shinjuku one of the most convinient areas just because of the sheer number of travel options you have from there. There are Chuo trains that cut across the center of the city and get you to Tokyo station in about 15-20 mins, and from there you can take the Shinkansen to get to places quickly, or you have the option of the Odakyu line to go into inaka Kanagawa area (Atsugi, Ebina, etc), or the Chuo out into western Tokyo and Yamanashi, or the Yamanote around the city. The only area that really compares well as far as travel connections is Tokyo station, IMO. Shibuya is good too, but not as good.

While Shinjuku does offer a lot of transportation options, the OP might not need any of those options.

If the OP's main goal is to see Asakusa, Odaiba, see the East Gardens, visit Akihabara, Ginza, and do a visit to Yokohama then staying on the east side, say LeMeridian across from Shinagawa makes more sense.
If the OP plans a majority of visits to Shinjuku, Shibuya, harajuku, maybe Roppongi, then head out to western Tokyo to see a studio tour or do some hiking then maybe staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya might be good.
Of course those are only examples, "convenience" in choosing a hotel depends on where you want to go and see.

I was wondering what the OP's plan are?

I wouldn't consider any of the western chain hotels in Shinjuku or Ebisu to be too far from the station. You may have to walk for a minute, but that's not a big deal. The Shinjuku Hilton has a shuttle bus, and I would imagine that the Park Hyatt does as well. The Ebisu Westin is in a nice area of Ebisu - Ebisu Gardens - that I really enjoyed when I lived in the Tokyo. I consider Shinjuku one of the most convinient areas just because of the sheer number of travel options you have from there. There are Chuo trains that cut across the center of the city and get you to Tokyo station in about 15-20 mins, and from there you can take the Shinkansen to get to places quickly, or you have the option of the Odakyu line to go into inaka Kanagawa area (Atsugi, Ebina, etc), or the Chuo out into western Tokyo and Yamanashi, or the Yamanote around the city. The only area that really compares well as far as travel connections is Tokyo station, IMO. Shibuya is good too, but not as good.

PHT has a bus, but it doesn't exactly run like clockwork. Some sneaky types try to hop on the O-Zone bus, which essentially takes you to the back side of the building. Your luggage might give you away on this though.

As this debate proves - "convenience" is in the eye of the beholder (or the feet of the schlepper). It's a very subjective thing...

"I like the Westin because it's close to my favourite spots" - well fair enough
"I like the Four Seasons Marunouchi because I step of the train and I'm there" - OK.
"I like the Peninsular because it's the only five star hotel with a strict dress policy (hard hats must be worn)" - I'll buy that too.

BUT ... No location should be labeled "convenient" on the grounds that "you can catch a train/bus/helicopter from there to Tokyo Station and from Tokyo Station you can get to XYZ"

No - I won't allow it. :D

Nuff said.

...No - I won't allow it. :D

Nuff said.
And there you have it. ;)

PHT has a bus, but it doesn't exactly run like clockwork. Some sneaky types try to hop on the O-Zone bus, which essentially takes you to the back side of the building. Your luggage might give you away on this though.

The PHT shuttle now runs on a regular (mostly) schedule every 20 minutes in each direction but there are gaps to allow breaks for the driver.

There is a newer option that I have been using a fair amount lately: from the base of the PHT driveway, left side, there is a 100yen bus that runs every 10 minutes all day to/from Shinjuku station. At Shinjuku station, it uses the same close-in bus stop as the Hilton bus (#21, I believe).

Also, as the PHT is a tenant of the Park Tower building, it's totally allowed to use the O-zone bus but I don't find it as convenient as the PHT shuttle or the 100yen bus.

We will be there November 25 to Dec2nd
Anything Special going on?
Hey, we'll be there November 28 to December 3. Maybe we should have a do!

You can walk underground from the Hilton Shinjuku. Felt like maybe 2-3 blocks of walking before you get to the subway lines. Hilton Shinjuku is far from inconvenient imo. Easily walk from there to Takashimaya Times Square (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/tokyo/S27134.html) (depends on how much you enjoy walking).

I've never stayed elsewhere, so it could be better being right in the middle of other neighborhoods. I don't know what other's opinions are, but I feel Tokyo is a great walking city.

What is everyone suggestions?
Convenience
Service
Best Value for the Points
Hilton,Starwood or Marriott.

We will be there November 25 to Dec2nd
Anything Special going on?
I just arrived to Taipei from Tokyo, spent 3 days at the Ginza Tobu Renaissance Hotel, new to the Marriott badge, is an ex-Ramada hotel (still says so on the keys) but that is not that big a deal, overall a not bad mid-range hotel if you can get a good rate, convenient to most of central tokyo, was my first time but I would go back...

Very helpful Concierge (British I think) who was full of information, and a desk full of exact and accurate directions to go anywhere in Central Tokyo...

and the early morning Fish Market tour a 10 minute walk (south) away is a hoot, also a 10 minute walk (west) to the Shimbashi Station area, where many good restaurants at much lighter prices then the Ginza proper restaurants, but someone called Ginza the Japan version of Fifth Avenue... and on the last day the Airport Bus makes this the last stop, it was 65 minutes to Terminal 1 on Saturday morning...

Cheers...

Just my 2 cents worth...

When I'm in Tokyo, I always end up at Sheraton Yokohama or Crowne Plaza Ikebukuro.

The reason being...the Narita Express stop at those stations (Yokohama and Ikebukuro). And when you've got luggage, it helps since the N'Ex does have luggage storage section in the Green cars. Then you just get off at the station drag your luggage next door to the hotel.

Both places have department stores next or close to them. Ikebukuro is on the Yamanote loop. Yokohama, on the other hand, is just a short ride to Tokyo Station, then the Yamanote Loop.

My personal favorite is Sheraton Yokohama. It even has a Citibank next to it for quick cash off the ATM if needed.

And no, I haven't taken the limousine buses yet since I always buy the JR Rail pass.

:D

Riot6, I'm a fan of the Yokohama Sheraton myself, however I only prefer to stay there if my plans call for visiting Yokohama/Kamakura or points south of Tokyo. However if my purpose is visiting Tokyo mainly, then I usually would opt for a hotel in Tokyo itself.

If you are a starwood person, since SPG aquired LeMeridian hotels, there is a LeMeridan across from Shinagawa Station (another stop on the Narita Express, and its also a Tokaido Shinaksen station). Its a SPG cat3 hotel so if you are redeeming points its the same for that hotel and the Yokohama Sheraton. There are also the Prince hotels (its like a whole complex of different prince hotels) in the Shinagawa Station area, that we've talked alot about here on the forums.

I had friends visit and stay at the Crowne Plaza, its not a bad hotel, its a hotel you often get as a priceline result, around 90-100usd if I recall.

Riot6, I'm a fan of the Yokohama Sheraton myself, however I only prefer to stay there if my plans call for visiting Yokohama/Kamakura or points south of Tokyo. However if my purpose is visiting Tokyo mainly, then I usually would opt for a hotel in Tokyo itself.

If you are a starwood person, since SPG aquired LeMeridian hotels, there is a LeMeridan across from Shinagawa Station (another stop on the Narita Express, and its also a Tokaido Shinaksen station). Its a SPG cat3 hotel so if you are redeeming points its the same for that hotel and the Yokohama Sheraton. There are also the Prince hotels (its like a whole complex of different prince hotels) in the Shinagawa Station area, that we've talked alot about here on the forums.

I had friends visit and stay at the Crowne Plaza, its not a bad hotel, its a hotel you often get as a priceline result, around 90-100usd if I recall.

The Crowne Plaza is definitely not bad, I mean, it's not a "high end" one neither but a straight up standard business hotel. I really am happy that Le Meridian is now part of SPG. It gives me more choices in Tokyo. Yey!

This Nov/Dec, I am staying at the Sheraton Yokohama and do plan on going south the Kamakura. Do you have any tips on getting there. I heard there's some kind of a local rail pass available? (No, not the JR Rail Pass, which I'm not getting this time around since it won't be worth it - I'm only around Tokyo/Yokohama instead of taking Shinkansen trips to Kyoto/Osaka) If so where do I buy it?

Yeah, for this coming trip, I did try to book award nights at Le Meridian but there was no room available that is confirmed as 2 beds. And since I'm travelling with a buddy, then one of us will have to sleep on the floor :D

The Crowne Plaza Tokyo is a JR East-managed hotel so discounts are also available if you hold a JR pass, you may not have to do Priceline to get it down to the traditional $100-120/night price range.

This Nov/Dec, I am staying at the Sheraton Yokohama and do plan on going south the Kamakura. Do you have any tips on getting there. I heard there's some kind of a local rail pass available? (No, not the JR Rail Pass, which I'm not getting this time around since it won't be worth it - I'm only around Tokyo/Yokohama instead of taking Shinkansen trips to Kyoto/Osaka) If so where do I buy it?

Yes theres a ticket called the "Kamakura Enoshima Free Kippu" from Yokohama Station its 1130yen. You can purchase it at the ticket office inside the station.

It covers the roundtrip from Yokohama to the Kamakura area and unlimited rides on the Enoden train (if you plan to go to Hase Station from Kamakura Station to see the giant budda statue) and its also valid on the Shonan Monorail.

I usually stay at the Capitol Tokyo. The people who book our hotels have suggested this property.
Any feedback?
Bad? Good?
Near anything besides the train station?

I usually stay at the Capitol Tokyo. The people who book our hotels have suggested this property.
Any feedback?
Bad? Good?
Near anything besides the train station?

LapLap has commented quite extensively (and positively) on this hotel if you search around the forum--look for "New Takanawa Prince".

LapLap has commented quite extensively (and positively) on this hotel if you search around the forum--look for "New Takanawa Prince".
I did and its not working.

Both Takanawa Prince hotels are talked about in this recent thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587330

I found this site kinda useful to find my way around when I was in Japan this summer.
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

I found this site kinda useful to find my way around when I was in Japan this summer.
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

Kone,
I try using http://www.hyperdia.com , you can screen out Nozomi Shinkansen results as well if you have a JR pass, and pull up additional timetable information, somthing jorudan isn't capable of.

LapLap has commented quite extensively (and positively) on this hotel if you search around the forum--look for "New Takanawa Prince".

Shin means ‘new’ in Japan

I’ve only got moderate things to say about New Takanawa Prince – the décor has put me off actually staying there. It’s the ‘Takanawa Prince’ that I’m prepared to praise to the skies (as long as the rate is under 15,000 yen).

I do know the New Takanawa Prince offers large rooms and decent bathrooms, a convenient location and is located in beautiful grounds – it’s often extremely good value.

Calling hotels so close together by the same name with just the word 'New' to differentiate them is just asking for trouble! It's very confusing.

The NTP is also located very close to the Le Meridien Pacific (not the Le Meridien Grand Pacific on Odaiba) – there are lots of comments about this property on the SPG board which go into great detail about the pros and cons of the area.

Shin means ‘new’ in Japan

I’ve only got moderate things to say about New Takanawa Prince – the décor has put me off actually staying there. It’s the ‘Takanawa Prince’ that I’m prepared to praise to the skies (as long as the rate is under 15,000 yen).

I do know the New Takanawa Prince offers large rooms and decent bathrooms, a convenient location and is located in beautiful grounds – it’s often extremely good value.

Calling hotels so close together by the same name with just the word 'New' to differentiate them is just asking for trouble! It's very confusing.
I was just on the phone with kcvt750 and said I can't wait for laplap to post the answer ^
Thank you!

Ah well, it’s good to see that the knowledge my ‘under $75 per person per night’ budget has forced on me can be put to use.

And $150 for a double room is a lot to me! – I want something good from it!!!

I usually stay at the Capitol Tokyo. The people who book our hotels have suggested this property.
Any feedback?
Bad? Good?
Near anything besides the train station?

The Capitol Tokyu is 20 years overdue for remodeling, and has only filled rooms for the last few years by lots of deep discounting. I understand it is finally going to close down for that much needed renovation. Just about anywhere else is probably better by now.

The Capitol Tokyu is 20 years overdue for remodeling, and has only filled rooms for the last few years by lots of deep discounting. I understand it is finally going to close down for that much needed renovation. Just about anywhere else is probably better by now.
The people that I work for have been staying here since 1979, it's hard to teach an old dog to sleep in a new hotel.
I think we are going with the New Otani. They love that part of town and know it very well.
Thanks for the tips.
Jon

Ah well, it’s good to see that the knowledge my ‘under $75 per person per night’ budget has forced on me can be put to use.

And $150 for a double room is a lot to me! – I want something good from it!!!
I should have just PM'd you in the 1st place!
Thanks again,
Jon

The people that I work for have been staying here since 1979, it's hard to teach an old dog to sleep in a new hotel.
I think we are going with the New Otani. They love that part of town and know it very well.
Thanks for the tips.
Jon

Given the options in that area, the New Otani is probably your best bet. It's certainly nicer than the Akasaka Prince! I have never stayed in a non-Tower room, but I understand the Tower rooms are much nicer (bit of a frightening thought, actually, my room had seen better days). Plus, the Tower is closer to the subway station, etc.

I think we are going with the New Otani.

Be sure to joini the New Otani club:
http://www.newotani.co.jp/en/group/noc/benefits1.html

Membership is free and it gets you a free breakfast (and free use of the gym and the pool in the summer months, I think).

Also - When you check in, you should ask if your stay will earn you some airline miles. Last time I stayed at their sister hotel in Osaka, they told me that my rate would not qualify for JAL miles, but they could give me a few UA miles.

Better than a slap in the face with a wet fish - eh?

Be sure to joini the New Otani club:
http://www.newotani.co.jp/en/group/noc/benefits1.html

Membership is free and it gets you a free breakfast (and free use of the gym and the pool in the summer months, I think).

Also - When you check in, you should ask if your stay will earn you some airline miles. Last time I stayed at their sister hotel in Osaka, they told me that my rate would not qualify for JAL miles, but they could give me a few UA miles.

Better than a slap in the face with a wet fish - eh?
I am a member already, just got my New Otani News-Autumn 2006. You get Marriott Points and UA Miles. The view from the lounge is nice and love those black seed bagels :p
thanks,
Jon

Dear Tokyo: Lock up your wives and daughters. ;)

Dear Tokyo: Lock up your wives and daughters. ;)
Move along, nothing to see here....Silly Gaijin :D

The Capitol Tokyu is 20 years overdue for remodeling, and has only filled rooms for the last few years by lots of deep discounting. I understand it is finally going to close down for that much needed renovation.

Yea, if you call a total demolition a "renovation"....