Which Intercontinental in Tokyo?
Dec 9, 2015, 4:42 am
#76
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,725
I agree, for the price point of the Strings, the rooms are quite compact. Smallest of the 3 ICs in Tokyo I would say, at least from my experience. IC Osaka ones are nice size and well designed, but that is OT.
Feb 9, 2016, 12:33 pm
#78
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
Feb 9, 2016, 11:23 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,725
The Strings is very close (very walkable unless huge luggage) and quasi connected via a walkway to Shinagawa station where the NEX from NRT stops. Usually when going in / out of NRT we stay there, but preferences differ and some of the other ICs are also reachable via the airport limo bus option.
There is plenty of good local food inside and around the station though opinions will differ based on personal preferences.
There is plenty of good local food inside and around the station though opinions will differ based on personal preferences.
Feb 10, 2016, 1:52 pm
#81
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
Strings is easy to reach with the NEX and Keisei lines. Rooms are small. Lots of food places around.
Tokyo Bay is easy to reach by Limousine bus but not so much going on near the hotel. There was an expensive restaurant right next to it, however.
IC ANA in Roppongi is easy to reach by Limousine bus and has a lot going on nearby, including lots of expensive restaurants. The waffles at the IC are made from stone, however
HTB.
Tokyo Bay is easy to reach by Limousine bus but not so much going on near the hotel. There was an expensive restaurant right next to it, however.
IC ANA in Roppongi is easy to reach by Limousine bus and has a lot going on nearby, including lots of expensive restaurants. The waffles at the IC are made from stone, however
HTB.
Feb 19, 2016, 5:37 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,784
So if points are no object, The Strings looks like the best choice? Can anyone comment on the ocean view from IC Tokyo Bay or that iconic IC Yokohama Grand?
And if you're a lowly Gold, it doesn't really matter which IC I stay at because I'm not getting anything for free anyways right?
And if you're a lowly Gold, it doesn't really matter which IC I stay at because I'm not getting anything for free anyways right?
Feb 24, 2016, 3:11 pm
#86
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DTW
Programs: Delta SM, ICH PLAT
Posts: 1,188
I stayed at IC Yokohama a little more than 5 years ago, and got a nice view of distant amusing park. The ferris wheel light up at night.
Both can be reached by public transportation and a little walking.
Oct 12, 2016, 8:12 am
#87
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 245
How was it? Thinking of booking a night at The Strings for later this year.
Oct 12, 2016, 11:07 am
#88
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 245
I did choose 2 for number of people. However, the room type says "1 SGL BED 1 PERSON" while the rate details says 2 persons maximum, which is quite confusing. Did an online chat with IHG and they assured me that the rate indicates 2 persons max so I should be safe, although I am still a bit concerned given the strange room type.
Oct 13, 2016, 10:57 am
#89
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
It is very easy to get to Shinagawa Station, expecilly on the N'EX from Narita. I used to stay at the Tokyo Bay Intercontinental when arriving at Haneda, but I've decided Strings is better. From Haneda, I would take the monorail to the end, and then walk into the adjacent JR station and go on the JR circle line local train a couple of stops to Shinagawa. (The Tokyo Bay Intercontinental is only about a three block walk coming out of the monorail station. Strings is actually about the same amount of walking because the Shinagawa JR station is so huge.)
The trick is to find The Strings when exiting the station. Take the east exit (Kanda). Stay on the elevated walkway. You'll see two very tall buildings connected to the walkway. Walk to the one on the right. Continue to the middle of the building. Walk past the mini 7-11 shop into the building. Turn left down a short corridor. Take the elevator up to the check-in. There is also a map online showing how to find it when coming out of the station
Last edited by Bowgie; Oct 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm Reason: slight correction to directions
Oct 15, 2016, 12:37 am
#90
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,725
We usually stay at the IC Strings when in Tokyo as we fly in and out of NRT and the proximity to Shinagawa station in combination with direct link via NEX is very convenient. We also need Shinkansen access and local JR so location is perfect for our purposes. On top our company got a good corp rate for King Deluxe rooms in the low 20ies with breakfast included so it works out well.
We stayed at all the other ICs too, IC ANA, Tokyo Bay and even Yokohama and none are as convenient as the Strings for quick and direct access to most of public transport options. Rooms are more compact for sure amd views less inspiring than say Tokyo Bay, but it really depends on your plans for your time in Tokyo and where you need to be / want to go. Also the Strings tends to be the most expensive on cash rates and offers the smallest rooms for redemption.
If you are worried about the Sgl Bed, 1 Person comment, all I can say is that I got a Double Bed room assigned on my last stay 2 weeks ago on a points booking. However, upfront I highlighted to them that a Single Bed would be a violation of IHG Rewards redemption rules which specifies Double Bed or King Bed to be provided.
I was told that the single bed supposedly is 1.4m wide, but can't verify it. Ask if unsure, they do respond within reasonable time. YMMV.
For points redemptions, IC ANA offers larger rooms and the airport limousine bus stops at the hotel which is also convenient. Location is in the midst of a livelier area (Roppongi) and access to trains is a bit of a walk, but nothing bad or very far.
We stayed at all the other ICs too, IC ANA, Tokyo Bay and even Yokohama and none are as convenient as the Strings for quick and direct access to most of public transport options. Rooms are more compact for sure amd views less inspiring than say Tokyo Bay, but it really depends on your plans for your time in Tokyo and where you need to be / want to go. Also the Strings tends to be the most expensive on cash rates and offers the smallest rooms for redemption.
If you are worried about the Sgl Bed, 1 Person comment, all I can say is that I got a Double Bed room assigned on my last stay 2 weeks ago on a points booking. However, upfront I highlighted to them that a Single Bed would be a violation of IHG Rewards redemption rules which specifies Double Bed or King Bed to be provided.
I was told that the single bed supposedly is 1.4m wide, but can't verify it. Ask if unsure, they do respond within reasonable time. YMMV.
For points redemptions, IC ANA offers larger rooms and the airport limousine bus stops at the hotel which is also convenient. Location is in the midst of a livelier area (Roppongi) and access to trains is a bit of a walk, but nothing bad or very far.