Park Hyatt Tokyo REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Mar 1, 2012, 7:08 pm
#901
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
Keio 100 yen shuttle bus
As some may know, from the street in front on the PH there was a regular (every 10 mins) 100 yen shuttle bus to/from Shinjuku station. This is in addition to the hotel shuttle and the Park Tower shuttle, both of which are free.
Unfortunately, the 100 yen shuttle has become the "Shinjuku WE shuttle." It runs about 6 times an hour, still costs Y100, but takes an absurdly long and complex route to the station which means generally it is a slower route to the station than walking. Silly, I don't know what Keio was thinking of (this is out of the hotel's control).
Therefore, I no longer recommend this Y100 bus. Stick to one of the free shuttles instead.
As some may know, from the street in front on the PH there was a regular (every 10 mins) 100 yen shuttle bus to/from Shinjuku station. This is in addition to the hotel shuttle and the Park Tower shuttle, both of which are free.
Unfortunately, the 100 yen shuttle has become the "Shinjuku WE shuttle." It runs about 6 times an hour, still costs Y100, but takes an absurdly long and complex route to the station which means generally it is a slower route to the station than walking. Silly, I don't know what Keio was thinking of (this is out of the hotel's control).
Therefore, I no longer recommend this Y100 bus. Stick to one of the free shuttles instead.
Mar 8, 2012, 7:59 pm
#903
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Location: Seat 2A
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Mar 8, 2012, 11:11 pm
#904
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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While doing the best I can to ignore the blatant trolling a few posts upthread, I can't help but be reminded of just how quiet and secluded this hotel really is/feels. Not only have I never heard the sounds of other guests while staying here, I can't even hear the housekeeping staff knocking on the door immediately adjacent to mine (e.g. the xx11 series rooms, where the neighboring room's door is only a couple feet away). I've also been amazed at how far the hallway layout goes to ensure I rarely even see other guests on their way to/from the elevators.
Unclear whether this is by design or just happenstance, but it certainly does quite a bit to make me feel as if I'm the only guest in the hotel once I leave the lobby areas. I may just be ending up here during light periods, but I feel like I've seen other guests in the hallways no more than twice across a handful of stays here. Heck, I've probably shared a guest floor elevator few enough times to count on two hands.
Unclear whether this is by design or just happenstance, but it certainly does quite a bit to make me feel as if I'm the only guest in the hotel once I leave the lobby areas. I may just be ending up here during light periods, but I feel like I've seen other guests in the hallways no more than twice across a handful of stays here. Heck, I've probably shared a guest floor elevator few enough times to count on two hands.
Mar 9, 2012, 12:15 am
#905
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
On my just concluded trip, I was upgraded to a room with -- get this! -- a hidden door that accessed a short hallway to a possible connecting bedroom. Looked to me like the hallway would be a perfect place for a couple of ninja to hide. First time I've encountered that in all my stays!
Mar 29, 2012, 6:17 am
#906
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
5-7 Benefit Very Nice
Checked-in a couple of days ago, and the wife has enjoyed this free wine/beer benefit very much since the wine is good quality. We also had one of the salmon/dill/spinach pizzas, recommended by LIH Prem, and can testify to it's deliciousness! Will try the duck fat fries before we leave.
Were upgraded to a deluxe corner (i.e two walls with windows) room on check-in with excellent views. Typical upgrade is to a deluxe room here.
By the way, if anyone ever needs currency conversion, Daikoku-ya (http://www.e-daikoku.com) is better than the best bank or airport exchange by 1 % or more. On cash, not TCs, the deal is usually better, more like 2%. This place has saved me tons of money over the years and has locations everywhere, usually near the subway/JR stations. Debit card transactions in Japan usually give a bad exchange rate, around 2% more than typical bank cash transactions, so I don't recommend them. Also, the Hyatt Visa card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, so I highly recommend using that card for your CC transactions in Japan. Every other card I have charges this fee, so watch out for it.
Were upgraded to a deluxe corner (i.e two walls with windows) room on check-in with excellent views. Typical upgrade is to a deluxe room here.
By the way, if anyone ever needs currency conversion, Daikoku-ya (http://www.e-daikoku.com) is better than the best bank or airport exchange by 1 % or more. On cash, not TCs, the deal is usually better, more like 2%. This place has saved me tons of money over the years and has locations everywhere, usually near the subway/JR stations. Debit card transactions in Japan usually give a bad exchange rate, around 2% more than typical bank cash transactions, so I don't recommend them. Also, the Hyatt Visa card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, so I highly recommend using that card for your CC transactions in Japan. Every other card I have charges this fee, so watch out for it.
Last edited by zombietooth; Mar 29, 2012 at 3:55 pm Reason: More Info
Mar 29, 2012, 1:14 pm
#907
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
I have an upcoming trip to Japan and I'm planning to use points for Free Nights. I really only have enough points for 2 - 3 nights depending on which property I choose but I'm debating between the Park Hyatt and the Grand Hyatt and whether it's worth to book as "Standard Room" or "Regency/Grand Club".
The Grand Hyatt website is pretty clear about what is included when booking a Grand Club room but the Park Hyatt site really does not make any reference that I could find.
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
I am just a basic Gold Level member FWIW...
The Grand Hyatt website is pretty clear about what is included when booking a Grand Club room but the Park Hyatt site really does not make any reference that I could find.
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
I am just a basic Gold Level member FWIW...
Mar 29, 2012, 2:08 pm
#908
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
The Grand Hyatt website is pretty clear about what is included when booking a Grand Club room but the Park Hyatt site really does not make any reference that I could find.
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
Mar 29, 2012, 4:05 pm
#909
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
I have an upcoming trip to Japan and I'm planning to use points for Free Nights. I really only have enough points for 2 - 3 nights depending on which property I choose but I'm debating between the Park Hyatt and the Grand Hyatt and whether it's worth to book as "Standard Room" or "Regency/Grand Club".
The Grand Hyatt website is pretty clear about what is included when booking a Grand Club room but the Park Hyatt site really does not make any reference that I could find.
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
I am just a basic Gold Level member FWIW...
The Grand Hyatt website is pretty clear about what is included when booking a Grand Club room but the Park Hyatt site really does not make any reference that I could find.
Can anyone tell me what the differences are if booking a "Regency/Grand Club" vs. "Standard Room" at the PH?
I am just a basic Gold Level member FWIW...
Last edited by zombietooth; Mar 29, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Mar 29, 2012, 5:04 pm
#910
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
Mar 29, 2012, 8:07 pm
#911
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
Thanks very much for the replies.
When I posted earlier, I had less than 5000 miles in my GP account so I could not see the actual booking options for each property. I was simply going off of the chart listed here.
I've just transferred some more miles into my GP account and I now see that indeed there is no "Regency/Grand Club" option when attempting to book an award stay at the PH.
So if I understand correctly, were I to book a Gold Passport Award room @ 22,000 points, as a basic Gold Level member, breakfast would not be included. Are there any amenities @ the PH beyond the coffee/tea service that I could expect in this booking category?
When I posted earlier, I had less than 5000 miles in my GP account so I could not see the actual booking options for each property. I was simply going off of the chart listed here.
I've just transferred some more miles into my GP account and I now see that indeed there is no "Regency/Grand Club" option when attempting to book an award stay at the PH.
So if I understand correctly, were I to book a Gold Passport Award room @ 22,000 points, as a basic Gold Level member, breakfast would not be included. Are there any amenities @ the PH beyond the coffee/tea service that I could expect in this booking category?
Mar 29, 2012, 9:00 pm
#912
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
Thanks very much for the replies.
When I posted earlier, I had less than 5000 miles in my GP account so I could not see the actual booking options for each property. I was simply going off of the chart listed here.
I've just transferred some more miles into my GP account and I now see that indeed there is no "Regency/Grand Club" option when attempting to book an award stay at the PH.
So if I understand correctly, were I to book a Gold Passport Award room @ 22,000 points, as a basic Gold Level member, breakfast would not be included. Are there any amenities @ the PH beyond the coffee/tea service that I could expect in this booking category?
When I posted earlier, I had less than 5000 miles in my GP account so I could not see the actual booking options for each property. I was simply going off of the chart listed here.
I've just transferred some more miles into my GP account and I now see that indeed there is no "Regency/Grand Club" option when attempting to book an award stay at the PH.
So if I understand correctly, were I to book a Gold Passport Award room @ 22,000 points, as a basic Gold Level member, breakfast would not be included. Are there any amenities @ the PH beyond the coffee/tea service that I could expect in this booking category?
When working-out at the gym, you will be looking-out from the 47th floor, through floor-to-ceiling
windows, at some of the best city views in town IMO. The pool is in the center between the two fitness areas. The fitness center on the west side of the pool deck looks toward Fuji and the one on the east side looks towards Shinjuku station. There is a Life-Fitness circuit, treadmills, and weight machines on the west side, and stair masters/bikes and a floor exercise area on the east side.
You will be treated like a king at this property, the only shortcomings that you might experience will be the high costs of breakfast/lunch/dinner at the restaurants on the premises.
Last edited by zombietooth; Mar 29, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Mar 29, 2012, 11:42 pm
#913
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
To get around the high cost of meals, take the entry lift to B1 (the left hand elevator as you face them goes down below floor 2). There is a selection of 10 reasonably priced restaurants, plus a convenience store selling bento boxes and sandwiches. One of those restaurants is a Caffe Excelsior that has inexpensive, filling breakfasts.
For lunch, there is also the PH deli on floor 1, you can see it from the window as you enter/exit the hotel. Also the Peak Bar on floor 41 does a good "one plate lunch" for around Y1800.
For lunch, there is also the PH deli on floor 1, you can see it from the window as you enter/exit the hotel. Also the Peak Bar on floor 41 does a good "one plate lunch" for around Y1800.