Originally Posted by tadive
Captain G -- did you have lounge access? If so, what was included. A call to SPG did not result in much information. The agent was very sweet but she actually said, "It includes a bathroom and a bed." She laughed as she said it but she said that her screen wasn't giving her the information that it should have. I'm NOT complaining about the SPG res agent -- she was very friendly. She just didn't have access to the requested information.
If I stay in an executive room, what extra amenities go with the room. I've tried to research it online and I believe there's a breakfast credit but I'm not sure in what amount.
Westin Tokyo
Lounge access emulates the tower concept. A concierge who recognized me by name and checked me in on the 17th floor took care of everything I needed: baggage, currency exchange, airport transportation and directions. The lounge had puff pastries, fruit and basic drinks during the day. That was better than some US Sheraton lounges. I wasn't around in the evening, but opted for a free drink at the Compass Rose Bar in lieu of evening lounge access. The breakfast was complete. It was more than enough food that I couldn't sample everything (and I eat about 3500 calories a day). There was fresh seafood, squid, salmon, puff pastries, fresh fruit, eggs, cereal... everything you needed. The lounge was classy and a nice haven. The concierges did a good job at recognizing me even though I hadn't been introduced. You can elect for breakfast credit which will cover one person in the cafe downstairs or significantly offset your meal in the main restaurant (Victor's, I believe) or you can just opt for the lounge. The lounge more than satiated my appetite. The executive room that I had included a flat screen TV, DVD player, entire travel kit of amenities (toothbrush, deodarant, shaving cream) and elegant furnishings. I would place it with the Westin Kierland as the top two furnished Westin's I've stayed at (of approximately 20).
Sheraton Grande Tokyo
Lounge access included cookies, soda and one of the three Sheraton Grande Tokyo's signature drinks during the off hours. The evening had a nice selection of treats, including some local specialties and some worldwide favorites. I didn't have breakfast in the lounge, because SPG plats are given complimentary breakfast vouchers for any of the restaurants in the hotel. It covered my entire breakfast, and I'm a distance runner who eats 3 plates at a setting. The amenities were upscale, but not Molton Brown or the Bulgari I received at one of the Lux Coll. properties. Rather than an executive room, I choose a Japanese style room. It was perfect. Would have slept four easily, and was an easy 700 sq feet with two great balconies facing the bay. These rooms included access to the Onsen on site. I speak highly of the Sheraton Grande as a getaway, but the transit time to Tokyo was to much. I prefer the Westin Tokyo for that.
Sorry for the delay in responses. I was travelling to some places that didn't allow internet connections to the outside world.
-- CaptainG