Originally Posted by
arfaczar
Looking for advice from the more experienced here - I will be spending 3 days in Tokyo next February en route to the US after a conference in Asia. Flights into/out of HND arriving early at 6am on a Sunday & departing late at 11pm on a Tuesday - as a lowly Explorist, I am not expecting a super early check-in or late check-out (beyond 2pm) at either property. Traveling alone with one checked bag and a backpack - presumably ok to transfer from/to hotel by train?
I do have a couple of Club Access awards that expire next year and wouldn't mind using one at the GH, which apparently has a pretty decent club lounge. I realize that I wouldn't be able to use a Club Access award at the Andaz - but wouldn't lose any sleep if those awards expired unused.
After breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner will likely be at a hole-in-the-wall in a neighborhood that I am exploring on that given day. Time permitting, I might hit the gym or swim a few laps in the hotel pool. Is the evening happy hour hosted by the Andaz worth it?
I do enjoy walking and exploring the City on foot - some posts indicate that GH location is convenient to access the train-lines and Andaz is a short walk to the station. I plan on visiting the Tokyo Fish Market on one of the mornings and grab some fresh sashimi too! Are there neighborhoods/areas of the City that you recommend walking to near either property, which would necessarily determine which hotel to stay at?
Andaz rooms are on 47th-51st floors and offer amazing views, despite the more recent construction nearby - if I could request a room facing a particular direction, which one should I request?
Let me know your thoughts and other criteria to consider for my stay.
Andaz is much nicer. GH is fine but dated and (imo) stodgy with poor ambiance.
I think Toranomon is a great base for what you want. It’s not far from Toyosu, and is very walkable to Hibiya, Ginza, Shinbashi. You will have ample holes in the wall to discover as you explore.
My feeling is that people generally underrate Andaz location.