FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Honeymoon! Need some recommendations!
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Old Feb 13, 2005, 5:32 pm
  #17  
Lancerrr
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: BUF
Programs: DL-Diamond, MR-PlatPrem, US-Gold, SPG-Gold
Posts: 75
Recommendations: JW Seoul and Ginza Tobu

Wow, that looks like a great trip! What a honeymoon!

JW Seoul:
I strongly recommend the JW Seoul over the Renaissance. The secret is the JW Seoul's amazing health club, quite possibly the best in Asia. There are three separate pools within the locker rooms (full-sized cold plunge, one regular hot with wooden reclined seats at the far end, and one super-hot pool. About 30 people can fit in each.) Outside of the locker rooms, there is a shared Olympic sized pool and standard jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. In addition there are two locker room saunas (different temps) with TVs, one steam room, and one Korean Body Scrub suite where for $~20 USD you get loofah'd smooth for a half hour. It's relaxing like a full-body back-scratch. If you miss the health club (and especially the locker rooms) you'll kick yourself when you get back. Similarly, you'll kick yourself if don't tic the Korean rice wine choice on your platinum arrival gift card... :-:

Also, the JW Seoul is attached to a Shinsegae department store and a very-high-end shopping mall.. but also the goes-on-for-miles Gangnam underground archade. (The latter being quite low-end, so you get the best of both Seoul worlds.)

The JW Seoul is also attached to the Express Bus Terminal where you can check-in (and check your luggage!) if you're flying on Korean or Asiana. As you would expect, being connected to the Express Bus Terminal station, the JW Seoul is also connected to Seoul's subway station of the same name.

Ginza Tobu:
Nobody in Tokyo seems to have ever heard it called "Renaissance". It's "Ginza Tobu, a Renaissance Hotel". (And also a Ramada hotel? Hey, those two tag lines are smack up there behind the counter... go figure.) Great location in Ginza (not far from Tokyo Station, which you get to for $~30 USD by taking the Narita Express train directly below NRT.) No concierge floor or pool. Excellent bar "Korin" and traditional Japanese restaurant in the lower level. Ginza itself is boring if you're not shopping and rather sedate at night.
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