Originally Posted by
todd-r
We used the shuttle to Meguro Stn a number of times and highly recommend it! We also walked down the street one time to Meguro Stn once so we could do some window shopping and stop into the 100 Yen store.
Rather than wait for the shuttle (runs every 15 minutes between the hotel and the Meguro station), I walked the one block--think long side of a NY block--to the nearby Shirokanedei metro station, then rode it one stop to the Meguro station. From there, you can either explore the Meguro shops or easily connect to the JR Yamanote line that circles greater Tokyo.
I just got back a couple of days ago, having spent several days in Osaka, then a few more in Tokyo. Both were extremely simple to navigate via metro.
Regarding the hotel overall, went there as an SPG Gold, using a special rate that included breakfast in any one of the three restaurants (off a set menu in the California restaurant; buffet style in the Chinese restaurant). The location is excellent, if you're comfortable using the metro to get around. The only two "huh?" items are:
1. For evening cocktails, you have the M Bar downstairs (all smoking) and the Bamboo lobby bar upstairs (non-smoking plus smoking areas). If you're a non-smoker, that pretty much means you're upstairs, but....if you're there while the jazz combo is playing each evening, you'll be billed an additional 900 Y for live music. No other non-smoking options for a drink after dinner.
2. There are bizarre popping noises that come from the east facing windows once the sun comes up each morning. According to the desk manager, it's from the heat, and is unavoidable (odd, since one morning the temp was only 16 degrees C / 60 degrees F). The glass and the metal window frame were quite hot to the touch, which meant kicking off a lot of heat into the room. Not awful on a cool day, but the noise woke me up and kept me up each morning, with sunrise well before 5:00 a.m. My guess is the same thing happens at the end of the day in the west facing rooms, but no confirmation there.
On the upside, the staff is extremely friendly, helpful and gracious...the property itself very well kept. Take a stroll through the garden behind the hotel if you have a moment or two; it's a nice way to take a breather before heading off to dinner somewhere.