sam_goh

@Red259 - Big city, though holler if you want to meet

@hailstorm - I might try to e-mail or leave it up to chance. Just want to experience both room types, perhaps it's easier at check-in to ask if we can switch rooms. I hear ya' on the PHT, went ahead and splurged and booked a suite there already.

The luggage delivery service seems like a really unique thing to Japan. From Tokyo we will be going to Kyoto for 3 days then flying to MLE from KIX. We were thinking about sending the two large bags straight from the PH to KIX. Would you recommend that, or a particular service? Or I guess if we're staying at a 5* like the PH they could arrange it hrmm?

@hailstorm/josephstern - Large cab or Uber cheaper? I'll be buying a SIM card so will have data access. Ubers generally cheaper to use in Tokyo? There's 4 of us, so a lot of times after paying for 4 tickets on a train and figuring out the system, it's been easier to just get an uber.

sam_goh

We have been here for the last 3 nights and so far have had a great stay. It's been a good base for exploring Tokyo and thus far it has exceeded expectations.

Check-in was efficient and they do escort you from the taxi area to the 51st for check-in. Lobby is beautiful as is the Andaz lounge/bar on the 51st. There are free juice drinks/snacks available all day in the common area and alcoholic beverages from 6-8 p.m. The spa, pool, and hot tub areas are on the 37th floor. You will be greeted as you come into that area and provided a swimming cap, locker key, etc. Locker room facilities are excellent. Pool is pretty busy with people doing laps and it and the workout area have great views of the city.

Rooms are from the 47th to the 50th floor. Like some of the other Hyatt's (e.g. GH KL) you do have to ride to the 51st to get to the next set of elevators to get to the rooms. Standard rooms are a decent size with a modern but comfortable hard product. Certainly there are design choices that are more form over function (e.g. hardwood vanity counter tops), but nothing that affects function too badly (e.g. the low faucets at the Andaz Maui). Beds are Japanese-style firm, covers are toasty warm, and AC will really cool the room fast. Slippers are provided along with Japanese (Kimono) style PJ's. The switches for the room are interesting analog style knobs but combined with modern electronics (e.g. sheer and blackout motorized shades) are a nice touch.

Complimentary mini bar has cokes, orange and apple juice, with a few Japanese cracker snacks and Nespresso pods and branded tea satchels. Service and turn-down has been top notch in terms of cleanliness. Unless otherwise specified, they changed the sheets/pillow cases daily and do a thorough wipe-down and some vacuuming. Perhaps it's a cultural thing, but they make it a point not disturb any of your personal items. For example, if you have clothes left on the bed, or items around the sink, housekeeping does not move/fold them.

Natural honed stone on the walls and floors give the bathroom a very upscale look. The oversized rain shower head and regular shower combined feel great. Our first room did have some temperature fluctuations (e.g. set temp than scalding) but I find it hard to get out of the shower as it feels so good. The tub is round however, so you won't be able to stretch out and the tub is combined with the spacious shower stall.

The standard room doesn't feel cramped and is quite spacious by Tokyo standards. There's a long, wide, couch along with a 7-8 foot table in wood for getting some work done. Ample outlets (110 with universal plugs) and USB power available. Depending on a twin or king setup, you may either get 1 long wooden table or two shorter ones. We spent two nights in a bay view room and had no complaints.

For the last two nights, we asked for and were upgraded to a Tokyo Tower view Large King room. This is a corner room that is moderately larger (about 30% 50 sq/m versus 65 sq/m) than a regular room. The main highlight are the views. 5 floor to ceiling panes of glass that give a really view of the city. The Tokyo tower and night is amazing. The Large King room does feel more spacious. It has a few more nooks and crannies for storage. Of note, this category room uses different amenities/toiletries (Argan) than a regular room. And oddly, softer towels? Not a placebo effect since my wife noticed it too. If you can, this is the room you want, outside the suites of course.

The Andaz is above a very large complex contains offices, restaurants, and residences. It can be confusing and a bit overwhelming at first. There are a number of decent restaurants but if you are more on a budget, there is a convenience store below that will heat up items and many restaurants within a few blocks that serve the salarymen of the area. Closest subway stations are Shimbashi and Uchisaiwaicho, about 15 minute walks in safe neighborhoods. You will likely feel under dressed in these areas and at the hotel. Figuring out the complex, floors, elevators and escalators, and the secret back ways (like the double door exit through the residences) will be useful.

The only less than glowing review would be breakfast. The view is great if you are able to get an outer table. Diamond breakfast does not require a bill/signature, unless the room number is miscommunicated (oops 13 not 30) like one day with us. The buffet is certainly more than adequate with plenty of choices. Juices (though not freshly squeezed), a western side, Japanese side, pastries/cold cut + salmon side, and eggs made-to-order. Western side includes 4 types of cereals, waffles, bread pudding, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, yogurts, salad, avacado, hummus dip and hailstrom's favorite tater tots). Japanese side includes some fried rice, miso soup, rice, and others (sorry didn't pay this much attention). Pastry selection was ok and the smoked salmon tasty. No Nutella muffins like the Andaz Maui but I believe these are special order now (?).

Service was excellent - quick to help with napkins, clear plates, offer hot beverages. Coffee had good flavor not burnt. Variety of tea and hot chocolate to pick from. Really, the only things that I would be picky at would be language and temperature of the food. Twice we had egg orders messed up, even after making sure to repeat the order again, and the order being repeated. Two eggs, fried, egg-white only ended up being with yolks, etc. Also, the variety between days doesn't vary much. Some smaller items are swapped out, e.g. types of soups, or kim-chi fried rice versus vegetable fried rice. But I can see how it would be monotonous over a longer stay. Lastly, while it seemed there were a number of guests, the food never seemed piping hot. Some, like the waffles, were even cold. We've had breakfast anywhere from 8 am to 10 am so not sure if this is consistent.

The breakfast experiences are pretty picky and do not really detract from an otherwise excellent stay. We have one more day here and will be sad to leave. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to let me know!

Central90210

Great write up Sam! Interesting regarding the towels, I never noticed that, maybe you just happened to receive new towels and they are in the process of replacing all towels? Do the towels look the same?

About the "mall" downstairs, there's also an awesome coffee shop called Toranonmon Koffee which serves really great coffee, be sure to check it out next time you're there.

TravisMT81

From Facebook:

Thank you for your continued support since the opening of #AndazTokyo. With Arnaud De Saint-Exupéry’s relocation to London as general manager of #HyattChurchill and vice president for U.K. and Ireland, we would like to thank him for his contribution and welcome Ross Cooper as our new general manager. Andaz Tokyo looks forward to sharing more inspirational experiences in the future!

hailstorm

I wonder if Ms. Lobo went with him. They've been a combo package up until now.

MattEvan

Ross Cooper: http://busan.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel...l-manager.html

dtremit

Piggybacking on sam_goh's excellent review as it covered a lot of what I would have. We stayed here for five nights recently and really, really loved it; I've stayed at a lot of Hyatt properties, but this one is easily in my top few. There are so many thoughtful touches, like the gorgeous paper pulp art that's different in each elevator, that make this an exceptional experience.

Oddly, we had the opposite experience -- housekeeping meticulously folded our laundry from the closet floor and arranged our toiletries on washcloths.

Worth noting there are also Tokyo Tower view standard rooms -- that's what we had, and would request again. The main portion of the room is not itself huge -- but all the functional stuff is secreted away in the bathroom/closet "complex" behind. That makes the seating/sleeping space very functional and uncluttered and comfortable. We really loved the layout -- my partner keeps talking about wanting to move in, and I can think of few large hotel suites that I've enjoyed as much as the standard room here.

I think the absolute closest station is actually Toranomon on the Ginza line -- that was what we mostly used. Obviously with only a single line the options are limited, but going to Ginza or Shibuya or Omotesando is easy, and it's a quick connection to head to Akihabara or Shinjuku. Easiest exit to get there is via the main bank of three escalators from the office building level of the complex, which end right across from the street to the station.

Leaving the station, look for exits 1-4 to end up on the correct side of the street, and keep an eye out for Pronto restaurant to identify the side street back to the Andaz. There's a 7-11 and a Lawson along the way, and some decent looking restaurants that we didn't get a chance to try; the ramen place on the corner mid-way was well reviewed but was full the one time we wanted to try it.

As for dining in the complex, the burgers at BeBu (?) were actually really good, and the coffee at Toranomon Koffee (a branch of the well-regarded Omotesando Koffee) is really good. I also had an unreasonably good noodle salad from the convenience store downstairs (Famima).

They did have Nutella-stuffed French toast when we were there! And the tater tots are weirdly addictive. I particularly loved the fresh passionfruit, since we never get really good ones here.

The key to breakfast is GO EARLY. We found ourselves waking very early our first few days in Japan, and the breakfast was fantastic -- peaceful, everything fully stocked and hot, window seats every time. Later in the morning, it was overrun by large, rude families that seemed to get the staff flustered, and the kitchen staff had trouble keeping up.

I do wish that the coffee cups were larger, or they left a pot on the table. I really should have asked; I can't imagine they would have said no.

nightkhan

That's correct, Toranomon station is the closest to the hotel. Once you figure out which exit to take and the correct streets, it's a quick 5-10 minute walk at most. Shimbashi, etc, stations are actually quite a bit aways.

When I was there I was going to breakfast every morning around 9 am and didn't find it busy at all. Quite empty actually. And yes, I do remember the coffee cups were somewhat small.

Central90210

Does anyone know what the Diamond room service breakfast is like? Order anything I want or fixed sets?

OsakaWino

The option to have Diamond complimentary breakfast through room service is not a standard benefit at Andaz Tokyo.

So of course you are free to order anything you want as long as you pay for it.

Central90210

Since this seems something new, I clarified with the hotel and received the following (prompt) response:

I guess this answers my own question and must say this is a very welcomed new change, probably under the new GM? Is 3700JPY the price of the buffet breakfast as well?

OsakaWino

Well then, I stand corrected. Thanks for the new information; very good to know. And I agree that this is an excellent benefit.

The Western set seems to offer a lot of choice

https://tokyo.andaz.hyatt.com/conten...-dining-EN.pdf

directcj

Got a stay coming up for 2 nights (mon/tue). I'm currently diamond and booked using points. I initially booked the room for 2 people, now my daughter will be joining us. I'm used to US hotels that will allow more than 2 people in a room. Will Andaz Tokyo allow 3 of us in a room? Do their suites have enough room for a rollaway or has a sofa bed?

What are my options for the 3 of us to get to the hotel? This will be our 1st trip to Japan

OsakaWino

If you take a look at the hotel's website you might notice that even the standard rooms will allow 3 adults. You might also notice that the difference in rate between 2 adults and 3 adults is 5,000 yen.

Central90210

3700JPY is indeed very generous for breakfast. I further asked the agent whether the room service breakfast is served until 10:30am, to which she noted room service breakfast is available 24 hours a day!

I guess this benefit is more like a daily room service credit of 3700JPY in lieu of full breakfast, as I am not limited to ordering breakfast items during breakfast hours - I can order anything up to 3700JPY at 2am in theory.