Hi all, I am not entirely sure this qualifies for posting in this sub-forum, however, since it spans two different brands, I didn't know where to put it.
I have a trip to Tokyo later this year and am seeking some advice on hotels and booking programs.
I have done some research, but would like as much of a direct comparison as possible from those with experience at one or (hopefully) more of these properties.
I will be in Tokyo for 9 nights. I currently have the first five nights booked at Westin Tokyo, however, I am considering switching that (will try to explain below).
I don't want to change hotels more than once, but can break the two stays up into different options (currently 5/4, but could do 3/6 or 6/3, etc.)
I have two main categories of questions:- Which hotel AND room type combination would you choose? I might choose two, so having first choice/second choice would be very helpful.
- How do the online agencies mentioned on here operate, what should I expect, and do I even qualify to use them?
Possibly unnecessary backstory:
I have been to Tokyo eight times previously and have stayed at Hyatt Regency (HRT) and Hilton Shinjuku each once, and I have stayed at Hotel Chinzanso six times.
However, after years as a Hilton Diamond, when travel resumed for me this year, I switched to Marriott and fairly quickly reached Titanium Elite.
Once that happened, I found out I was eligible for a Hyatt Globalist Challenge - so by the time this trip happens, I will be a Hyatt Globalist "lite" (no tier suite upgrades).
Because of this, I am limiting my interest to Hyatt and Marriott properties.
Further clarification:
I do not expect to be in the room a TON, but when I am there, I want it to "feel" very nice. I will likely have to entertain 1-2 other people in my room for a short time 1-2 nights.
I also want a nice bathroom.
While in most cases I would LOVE an upgrade further than what I have listed below, I have done the preparation of "booking the room type that will work".
For question 1, here are the hotels AND room type combinations I am looking at - and trying to compare against each other:
Marriott - Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
Grand Deluxe Corner King or Grand Deluxe Premier King
Marriott STARS - 3rd night complimentary, complimentary breakfast, upgrade of room type (if available), 100 USD F&B credit
Marriott - Tokyo EDITION Toranomon
Studio, 1 King, City View, Balcony/Terrace
Marriott STARS - 3rd night complimentary, complimentary breakfast, welcome cocktail (repeatable and combinable with consortia benefits?), 100 USD F&B credit
(upgrade of room type not listed from what I remember)
Hyatt - Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
1 King Tower View
Hyatt Privé Rate (Breakfast, $100 USD FB Credit, "Confirmable" room upgrade if available?).
I have priced each of these through classictravel -dot- com (I don't know if links are allowed), and am fine with those prices for my dates of travel.
The Privé & STARS rate details are also from this site.
The Marriott STARS rate seems to have a leg up since both of those include a 3rd night free.
But I would do Andaz if that was far and away ahead of the other two.
In putting the above list together, I also considered the following:
Prince Sakura Tokyo Tower - Executive Tower View King (no STARS rate for the 3rd night free)
Does Prince Sakura make sense as a replacement for Westin? Would probably do it 100% if there were a STARS rate for it.
Conrad Hilton - no availablity for at least one of the nights I need.
Grand Hyatt Tokyo - Grand Suite (pricing similar to the three listed in detail above)
Park Hyatt Tokyo - 1 King Deluxe (pricing similar to the three listed in detail above)
So to restate some of the questions/concerns:
Is there a clear winner among the above three hotels?
What is the difference -if any- between ClassicTravel and LiveLuxeTravel?
Can I use either? Is one easier than the other?
Those are the only two I have read about here - are there others you would recommend, and if so, why?
Will I earn Spend and Night Credits at Hyatt and Marriott if I use these rates to stay at their respective properties? (My understanding is the answer is 'yes'.)
Can anyone further clarify what is meant in this part of the Hyatt Privé rate?
"Confirmable within 24 Hours of Travel Advisor request to hotel and subject to forecasted occupancy: Early check-in: Late checkout: Room Upgrade: Conn/Adjj Rooms."
Does that mean I can request an upgrade before check-in, and if it is available, they could confirm it ahead of time? How likely is this to happen?
Other thoughts:
I do not expect location to play a role - I feel comfortable taking buses and trains as necessary. But proximity to at least one of those would be very helpful.
I am least impressed by the Tokyo EDITION's bathrooms from what I can see in available pictures. Both Prince Gallery and Andaz Tokyo look more like I was expecting.
Finally, I am strongly considering changing my Westin dates to one of the following: Prince Sakura Tokyo Tower, the 'second' place finisher of the three detailed above, or Hilton Shinjuku.
The more I look at the pictures, the more the Westin room décor seems off to me.
Thank you in advance for any and all help.