Originally Posted by
dangerousanimals
Hi all–
This thread has been super useful to me already, so thanks to all who have contributed. I'm planning a trip to Tokyo for a week in January and I'm currently holding reservations at the Palace, Conrad, and MO. I'm leaning towards the Palace but my only concern is that it seems like it might be a bit stuffy/buttoned-up; is that accurate? I tend to prefer hotels that are lively but sophisticated, and I'm in my late-20s so I'd prefer not to be around an exclusively older crowd. I stayed at the RC in 2018 and absolutely loved it, but the rates are quite high for my dates and from reading this thread it sounds like it might be starting to feel a bit worn?
Room, service/concierge, and general atmosphere are most important to me; on-property dining isn't a huge factor since I'll be eating out most of the time, and location isn't a big deal either because Tokyo is so easy to navigate. Conrad is intriguing because I feel like it ticks most of my boxes (and is by far the cheapest of the three), but I'm not particularly inclined to stay at a Western chain hotel this time around; otherwise I'd probably have chosen it by now. The MO looks gorgeous, but from reading this thread it seems like the service is somewhat lacking, and it's at a higher price point than the Palace.
So it seems that the Palace is my best bet? Can anyone speak to the atmosphere/crowd a bit more? Thank you so much!
I’ve stayed multiple times at the Palace and the Conrad, including both this year. My favorite by far is the Palace, perhaps for reasons that might not appeal to you.
The Palace is very formal, but as a repeat guest, also warm. The club lounge is a refuge from the busy lobby, and the only time you’ll see us downstairs is if we decide on the great buffet breakfast at the Terrace. The Japanese restaurant (including the tempura bar) is excellent. Very peaceful. Wonderful interior design. The Great concierge team comes up with even more wonderful experiences every time we visit.
On my last stay at the Conrad, I was really turned off by the loud music in the lobby that was coming from the lobby bar. I could even hear it in the Japanese restaurant, which is supposed to be a place of peace.
I go to Japan to experience the culture. The Conrad is filled with Westerners (including me), so I prefer the Palace on that point. The Palace also is in a very peaceful location, one we prefer to the Conrad.
You can’t go wrong with either, but each will be a distinct experience. As a 20-something, the Conrad might suit your taste.
A note about the pool incident described by a poster above: On one of my earliest trips to Japan quite awhile ago, I went into the Hilton Executive Lounge after a workout while dressed in my workout clothes. The EC manager politely informed me that I was inappropriately dressed. I didn’t argue with him, and accepted the hotel’s standards. This manager later went above and beyond the call when my wife’s illness caused us to have to change plans. He even volunteered to be an interpreter for an impromptu meeting I needed to schedule. Point is, when a foreign “pool boy” informs you of the house rules, just say thank you, comply, and appreciate the experience.