We detested the Pen for its very dated room and suite decor as much as the incredibly busy lobby. Service was stiff and formal. Our friends regretted the Hoshinoya as being way too Japanese and not really a luxury hotel in the Western sense—so know hat you’re getting into before trying that. We found the Aman hard product to be amazing but the service to not warrant the price premium.

I’d recommend considering the PG for nothing else than your shorter stay, your somewhat Marriott elite status, and the chance to get the 2nd best hard product in the city behind only the Aman—but with comparable service and at a much better price point. If you can find a better rate for the PG elsewhere, you even could get a lower rate by LNF guarantee from Marriott.

FWIW, the PG concierge team was amazing for us. They got us bookings at Yoshitake, Narisawa, and even a last minute lunch at Sawada.

I’d take the PG over the RC any day because of the hard product and location—and the vastly better elite recognition.