Apr 26, 2019, 11:27 pm
Last edit by: hailstorm
The pool and shuttle bus service from the hotel to Shinjuku station has permanently ended as of March 31st, 2021.
Hyatt Regency Tokyo REVIEW MASTER THREAD
Oct 29, 2018, 8:59 pm
#1486
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
Did not really received a room upgrade as a Globalist (supposedly, I got a room with a better view) but after the awful 3+hours ride on the limousine bus from Narita, I was not in the mood to haggle. The room that I received was fine, with an excellent view of Shinjuku, and with a rather small bathroom but a large shower stall with seating area so quite nice and comfortable.
Oct 29, 2018, 9:10 pm
#1487
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,331
Supposedly, the 'normal' duration for this trip is 2 hours.
The return trip from the Grand Hyatt Tokyo to Narita at 1PM only took us 1 hour 45 minutes
BTW, we considered the train but ruled it out as an option since we have lots of luggage
Oct 30, 2018, 2:52 am
#1488
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
It's allegedly 1 hr 50 mins but traffic can be bad depending on time and day. It's still better direct if you have kids and tons of luggage than a NEX to Shinjuku station and walk or taxi. The station can be confusing even for experienced travelers.
Oct 30, 2018, 8:44 pm
#1489
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
I detest the limousine bus. It can be unpredictable because of traffic (I had a 90-minute trip from HND to the PH a few months ago), and even when it runs on schedule, it can be maddening to waste an hour as it meanders from one hotel to the next. (An antidote is to get off at the first stop it makes and cab it to your hotel). But as you say, 80-ish minutes on the Narita Express & navigating Shinjuku station isn't exactly fun either, and really not advised if you have lots of luggage/family in tow and/or haven't done it before. So as you say, putting up with the 2+ hour bus ride may be the best option for most travelers.
Oct 30, 2018, 9:01 pm
#1490
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,436
I think we're overselling the hardship of the journey from Shinjuku station. There are plenty of Youtube videos with detailed instructions to the West Exit, where you can then take a cab or walk. An ounce of preparation is really all you need.
Oct 30, 2018, 9:46 pm
#1491
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
The only issue is that during rush hour there is a lot of foot traffic. Other than that it’s really super easy.
Nov 1, 2018, 7:13 am
#1492
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta GM (Former PM)
Posts: 234
Plan ahead and you should be fine - I've taken the train to Shinjuku from the airport 3 times now, and I think I have a decent grasp of the station. But some folks might find it a nightmare if they arrive at the wrong time due to the size of the crowds and get turned around.
Once you learn it - it becomes easier - and it's a nice walk to the Hyatt Regency.
Nov 7, 2018, 11:06 pm
#1493
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I just looked quickly through this thread and didn't see an answer to this question -- but admittedly I did not read everything, so sorry this is answered elsewhere...
Do the rooms at the HR Shinjuku have those free-to-use cell phones with unlimited data & calling? For my previous trip to Tokyo I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, and I found that phone to be a VERY useful little perk. I know that this is a less expensive hotel though so I don't know what to expect.
Do the rooms at the HR Shinjuku have those free-to-use cell phones with unlimited data & calling? For my previous trip to Tokyo I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, and I found that phone to be a VERY useful little perk. I know that this is a less expensive hotel though so I don't know what to expect.
Nov 7, 2018, 11:19 pm
#1494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,436
No.
Nov 7, 2018, 11:38 pm
#1495
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Thanks for the quick reply.
I'm booking it anyway. I have 2 cat 1-4 free nights and one of them expires the day after I leave Tokyo, so... perfect timing.
2 free night certs + 24k pts is better than my previous plan (100k pts for 4 nights at the grand hyatt). I'm looking forward to staying in a different part of Tokyo as well.
I'm booking it anyway. I have 2 cat 1-4 free nights and one of them expires the day after I leave Tokyo, so... perfect timing.
2 free night certs + 24k pts is better than my previous plan (100k pts for 4 nights at the grand hyatt). I'm looking forward to staying in a different part of Tokyo as well.
Nov 8, 2018, 5:49 am
#1496
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,331
I just looked quickly through this thread and didn't see an answer to this question -- but admittedly I did not read everything, so sorry this is answered elsewhere...
Do the rooms at the HR Shinjuku have those free-to-use cell phones with unlimited data & calling? For my previous trip to Tokyo I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, and I found that phone to be a VERY useful little perk. I know that this is a less expensive hotel though so I don't know what to expect.
Do the rooms at the HR Shinjuku have those free-to-use cell phones with unlimited data & calling? For my previous trip to Tokyo I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, and I found that phone to be a VERY useful little perk. I know that this is a less expensive hotel though so I don't know what to expect.
The 2 neighborhoods, Shinjuku-Ku & Roppongi Hills, could not be more different!
Nov 8, 2018, 11:49 am
#1497
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Umm... you didn't when I was there in May. There was a big sign saying that the phone was free to use, and, boy, did I use it. I poked through the settings, found that you could turn on tethering, left it in my pocket the whole time and used it as a mobile hotspot for my real phone. I used about 20 gigs of data in the week I was there. I was not charged.
Nov 8, 2018, 12:37 pm
#1498
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 2MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,164
Umm... you didn't when I was there in May. There was a big sign saying that the phone was free to use, and, boy, did I use it. I poked through the settings, found that you could turn on tethering, left it in my pocket the whole time and used it as a mobile hotspot for my real phone. I used about 20 gigs of data in the week I was there. I was not charged.
Nov 8, 2018, 3:02 pm
#1499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,436
Umm... you didn't when I was there in May. There was a big sign saying that the phone was free to use, and, boy, did I use it. I poked through the settings, found that you could turn on tethering, left it in my pocket the whole time and used it as a mobile hotspot for my real phone. I used about 20 gigs of data in the week I was there. I was not charged.
Nov 8, 2018, 3:14 pm
#1500
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Data is extremely cheap. 20G of data is a drop in the bucket compared to what a week at that hotel costs.
Even if everyone used that much (which they don't) it wouldn't add up to one night per month. Maybe 2-3 nights per year. The free breakfasts / drinks / snacks at the club that I consumed over a week are a lot more than 20g of data.
Even if everyone used that much (which they don't) it wouldn't add up to one night per month. Maybe 2-3 nights per year. The free breakfasts / drinks / snacks at the club that I consumed over a week are a lot more than 20g of data.