Originally Posted by
vsevolod4
Strings is the nicest of the hotels and has more of a "boutique" feel.
InterContinental Tokyo Bay has the nicest views. RAs get Club access.
ANA Intercontinental is a big hotel. RAs get upgraded to the Club floor.
ANA is generally the least expensive; Strings the most expensive.
Keep in mind that Strings and ANA, as former ANA hotels, include the 10% service charge and 5% tax, in the rate, and the Internet is free. This makes for about a 5000-7000 Yen difference in the daily rate when you are comparing.
Are you
sure the internet is free at the ANA for regular rooms?
According to this
http://www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp/e/room/
It's about ¥1,500 a day
Club rooms get free internet access, and it might be a perk for those with RA status.
The point about taxes and charges being included is a very good one.
But I personally cannot agree that the Tokyo Bay IC has the nicest views. I can't help but find the views from Tokyo Bay to be a bit depressing, whereas, for me, views over the rest of Tokyo are exhilarating. But then, I downgraded myself at the Yokohama IC to face Sakuragicho rather than face the murky gloom on the premium Bayside of the hotel.
It all depends on your taste. For me, the view from a North West facing room at the Strings is pretty darn special - great in the day, spectacular at night. From a Strings Panoramic or corner room, it is awesome.
If anyone is actually interested, I can post links to impartial photographs of the views from all these properties. It seems its more about 'taste' than which is actually 'the best' or 'the nicest'.