Conrad Tokyo {JPN}
Jan 30, 2019, 9:57 pm
#256
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Alaska Gold 100k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 226
Conrad is the better hotel, but the Hilton is still a nice property. Choose the Conrad if you prefer hotel ambiance, better breakfast spread, and convenient access to that side of Tokyo.
If Shinjuku is your thing you can't go wrong with the Hilton. The lobby of the Hilton can feel quite hectic at busy times, doesn't have the views of the Conrad, and the rooms are a little more dull.
If Shinjuku is your thing you can't go wrong with the Hilton. The lobby of the Hilton can feel quite hectic at busy times, doesn't have the views of the Conrad, and the rooms are a little more dull.
I wouldnt ever book a non-standard reward, especially at the 300k level, so hopefully it will dip back to 95 at some point.
We loved the Hilton, so if it doesnt its not that big of a deal, but we did want to try staying in a different neighborhood for the 2nd trip.
Jan 31, 2019, 12:41 am
#257
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
The service of the Conrad Tokyo is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. If someone wants to see or to get reminded, how good services at a hotel can be, the Conrad is the right choice. I’m looking forward for my next stay.
But you can’t do anything wrong with the Hilton. Less points and a better location for your plans are very good arguments.
But: Most of the time the availability of standard room awards is better at the Hilton. So it is easier to switch an standard award stay from Conrad to Hilton than from Hilton to Conrad.
But you can’t do anything wrong with the Hilton. Less points and a better location for your plans are very good arguments.
But: Most of the time the availability of standard room awards is better at the Hilton. So it is easier to switch an standard award stay from Conrad to Hilton than from Hilton to Conrad.
Jan 31, 2019, 12:46 am
#258
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
The service of the Conrad Tokyo is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. If someone wants to see or to get reminded, how good services at a hotel can be, the Conrad is the right choice. I’m looking forward for my next stay.
But you can’t do anything wrong with the Hilton. Less points and a better location for your plans are very good arguments.
But: Most of the time the availability of standard room awards is better at the Hilton. So it is easier to switch an standard award stay from Conrad to Hilton than from Hilton to Conrad.
But you can’t do anything wrong with the Hilton. Less points and a better location for your plans are very good arguments.
But: Most of the time the availability of standard room awards is better at the Hilton. So it is easier to switch an standard award stay from Conrad to Hilton than from Hilton to Conrad.
Feb 1, 2019, 12:52 am
#259
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Jose Cuervo Gold, Bud Light Platinum, Schwab 401K, VW Bug 2MM
Posts: 1,099
Trying to use my cert. the weekend I’m looking for has no Friday or sat base points room if you try to book one night but you can book
it with points if it’s a 2+ night points stay. Is this gaming common?
it with points if it’s a 2+ night points stay. Is this gaming common?
Feb 4, 2019, 3:06 am
#260
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Conrad is the better hotel, but the Hilton is still a nice property. Choose the Conrad if you prefer hotel ambiance, better breakfast spread, and convenient access to that side of Tokyo.
If Shinjuku is your thing you can't go wrong with the Hilton. The lobby of the Hilton can feel quite hectic at busy times, doesn't have the views of the Conrad, and the rooms are a little more dull.
If Shinjuku is your thing you can't go wrong with the Hilton. The lobby of the Hilton can feel quite hectic at busy times, doesn't have the views of the Conrad, and the rooms are a little more dull.
Last edited by anabolism; Feb 12, 2019 at 11:47 pm Reason: fixed typos: dropped 't' in 'the' and extraneous 'e' in 'smoky'
Feb 12, 2019, 10:43 pm
#262
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
I was here in January for a transit and in Conrad Osaka last week - Havent stayed here for a LONG time but I stayed at the one in Osaka a few times the last 2 years. In short, I very much side with @Ross0 (and his report. His summary for Conrad Osaka is here.)
The only good part for the Tokyo for me was that I've gotten a suite (because I asked). I've had a Executive Twin in Osaka on my first stay and Executive Double this time - the 2 times last year I didnt get one but one time it was full because of corp functions.
The breakfast was MUCHHHHH better at the Osaka. better spread, more stations so there's less congestion, slightly modern take on japanese breakfast (but I see the spread seem to have dropped - I hope this is because of the busy times and is not permanent). PS: I see his comment on the spread of chinese food in Conrad Tokyo - i dont know how it taste, i dont care if they existed. If i wanted chinese food I would go to china, not Japan. However, for what I've tried at both hotels, Conrad Osaka served a good fried rice (with dried seafood, that wasn't explicitly marketed as such) and Conrad Tokyo served a good fried e-fu noodle (with mixed mushrooms).
Obviously the room in Osaka is newer.
Lounge: better general spread in Osaka. I've never made the evening cocktail hour a meal in Japan but it has nicer offerings. The Tokyo lounge seems like the nicer airline lounges with a few hot plates. kind of out of place! However, beers in Tokyo (Coedo) is better than Osaka (Kirin and Heineken).
Didnt use the gym/spa of the Conrad Tokyo, but the one in Osaka is good. Very good.
The only good part for the Tokyo for me was that I've gotten a suite (because I asked). I've had a Executive Twin in Osaka on my first stay and Executive Double this time - the 2 times last year I didnt get one but one time it was full because of corp functions.
The breakfast was MUCHHHHH better at the Osaka. better spread, more stations so there's less congestion, slightly modern take on japanese breakfast (but I see the spread seem to have dropped - I hope this is because of the busy times and is not permanent). PS: I see his comment on the spread of chinese food in Conrad Tokyo - i dont know how it taste, i dont care if they existed. If i wanted chinese food I would go to china, not Japan. However, for what I've tried at both hotels, Conrad Osaka served a good fried rice (with dried seafood, that wasn't explicitly marketed as such) and Conrad Tokyo served a good fried e-fu noodle (with mixed mushrooms).
Obviously the room in Osaka is newer.
Lounge: better general spread in Osaka. I've never made the evening cocktail hour a meal in Japan but it has nicer offerings. The Tokyo lounge seems like the nicer airline lounges with a few hot plates. kind of out of place! However, beers in Tokyo (Coedo) is better than Osaka (Kirin and Heineken).
Didnt use the gym/spa of the Conrad Tokyo, but the one in Osaka is good. Very good.
Feb 22, 2019, 1:45 am
#265
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I've noticed this same practice with other hotels in Japan. Its like they don't want you to be able to use a certificate or something.....
Feb 22, 2019, 1:53 am
#266
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I'm trying to remember but I don't think I was upgraded as gold. I have read some people have been but if memory serves its far from guaranteed at this location.
Feb 22, 2019, 11:37 am
#267
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: IND
Posts: 301
Feb 23, 2019, 10:21 am
#269
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 20
Just booked 5 nights with points here at the end of December. Looking forward to it! Also booked one night at the Conrad Osaka with the aspire weekend night certificate.
One thing I noticed when looking for award availability is that when I was logged into my hilton account and searched for award availability, nothing was showing up. However, when I was logged out it showed that there were award nights available. This might be because I only had a few thousand points in my account (would transfer them in from Amex if I saw availability).
I was calling in to use my weekend night certificate and had them check on award availability and they had no issue finding standard rooms. Transferred in points and booked over the phone no problem.
TLDR: Search award availability without being logged in and/or call hilton to see if they show anything different on their end.
One thing I noticed when looking for award availability is that when I was logged into my hilton account and searched for award availability, nothing was showing up. However, when I was logged out it showed that there were award nights available. This might be because I only had a few thousand points in my account (would transfer them in from Amex if I saw availability).
I was calling in to use my weekend night certificate and had them check on award availability and they had no issue finding standard rooms. Transferred in points and booked over the phone no problem.
TLDR: Search award availability without being logged in and/or call hilton to see if they show anything different on their end.
Feb 25, 2019, 1:33 pm
#270
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,754
I was offered a complimentary upgrade to either a Bay View room or Exec City View as a gold during each of my previous visits. Interestingly the rate didn't seem to matter.
Last edited by Beltway2A; Feb 25, 2019 at 1:38 pm
