Andaz Tokyo - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jul 19, 2014, 6:58 am
#91
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Jul 19, 2014, 8:08 am
#92
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The suites have Argan amenities from France.
They are nice, but smell like a fruity dessert. Park Hyatt's Aesop is still the king.
They are nice, but smell like a fruity dessert. Park Hyatt's Aesop is still the king.
Jul 20, 2014, 4:42 am
#93
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Did a quick public areas tour a few days ago while staying at the Grand. Reminds me very much of the PH Shanghai, so no huge surprise that it's the same designer, Tony Chi, this time in collaboration with a local Japanese designer as well.
The actual check in / lobby area is tiny. I was told by some trusted friends working there that it has been extremely busy during check in's and really not designed for the volume they are receiving, especially on Friday's at 3pm.
Interesting to note that the clientele has been 80% domestic, seems a lot of Tokyo locals making a weekend getaway out of it.
Public spaces and restaurants looked very nice, everything brand new of course, and extremely modern. Rather spacious with the exception of the actual check in area. The bar is VERY reminiscent of the PH Shanghai, with a great view.
Looking forward to staying there later this year when the service kinks are worked out. FWIW, Toranomon Hills looked surprisingly nice with an impressive array of interesting restaurants, almost a mini Roppongi Hills. Too bad the surrounding area seemed dead quiet, but the complex is a virtual oasis and I can see spending some time there in the evenings during a stay.
But for the foreseeable future, especially given the suite situation, looks like GHT/PHT will continue to be my destinations of choice. I'll revisit that opinion after a stay or two.
The actual check in / lobby area is tiny. I was told by some trusted friends working there that it has been extremely busy during check in's and really not designed for the volume they are receiving, especially on Friday's at 3pm.
Interesting to note that the clientele has been 80% domestic, seems a lot of Tokyo locals making a weekend getaway out of it.
Public spaces and restaurants looked very nice, everything brand new of course, and extremely modern. Rather spacious with the exception of the actual check in area. The bar is VERY reminiscent of the PH Shanghai, with a great view.
Looking forward to staying there later this year when the service kinks are worked out. FWIW, Toranomon Hills looked surprisingly nice with an impressive array of interesting restaurants, almost a mini Roppongi Hills. Too bad the surrounding area seemed dead quiet, but the complex is a virtual oasis and I can see spending some time there in the evenings during a stay.
But for the foreseeable future, especially given the suite situation, looks like GHT/PHT will continue to be my destinations of choice. I'll revisit that opinion after a stay or two.
Jul 23, 2014, 5:09 am
#94
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Some pictures of the Andaz Suite are now up on my blog.
On the whole, I had a much better experience this time around. My two biggest issues with the hotel last time were the room and the service. The suite is spectacular, and I found the service to be a lot more consistent this time around. Not perfect, but getting better.
We tried some more room service this time around, but the results were disappointing. The burger was still great, but there's only one kind to order on the menu, so having the same thing again was kind of boring. The udon was so-so, and the yaki-udon was way too spicy. We ended up bringing up food from the convenience store on the second night to eat while watching the lightning show.
I think I would stay here again if I could stay in a suite. But the suite costs much more than even the Park Suite, so if they are not going to allow the Diamond Suite Upgrades going forward, then I will happily stay at a different Hyatt hotel's suite for a fraction of the cost.
All in all, I struggle to think of what the Andaz Tokyo's place is in the pantheon of Tokyo's Hyatt hotels. It is not as luxurious as the Park Hyatt. It is certainly nowhere near as good a value as the Hyatt Regency. And the location and entertainment options aren't even close to what the Grand Hyatt has to offer.
As I mentioned to someone on Twitter, Andaz Tokyo seems to be the place for bored rich people to see and be seen at. Maybe they are shooting for the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo crowd of new money Asians with no manners, that flaunt their wealth at every opportunity?
If Park Hyatt Tokyo is the aspiration property, then I guess that would make Andaz Tokyo the asspirational property?
On the whole, I had a much better experience this time around. My two biggest issues with the hotel last time were the room and the service. The suite is spectacular, and I found the service to be a lot more consistent this time around. Not perfect, but getting better.
We tried some more room service this time around, but the results were disappointing. The burger was still great, but there's only one kind to order on the menu, so having the same thing again was kind of boring. The udon was so-so, and the yaki-udon was way too spicy. We ended up bringing up food from the convenience store on the second night to eat while watching the lightning show.
I think I would stay here again if I could stay in a suite. But the suite costs much more than even the Park Suite, so if they are not going to allow the Diamond Suite Upgrades going forward, then I will happily stay at a different Hyatt hotel's suite for a fraction of the cost.
All in all, I struggle to think of what the Andaz Tokyo's place is in the pantheon of Tokyo's Hyatt hotels. It is not as luxurious as the Park Hyatt. It is certainly nowhere near as good a value as the Hyatt Regency. And the location and entertainment options aren't even close to what the Grand Hyatt has to offer.
As I mentioned to someone on Twitter, Andaz Tokyo seems to be the place for bored rich people to see and be seen at. Maybe they are shooting for the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo crowd of new money Asians with no manners, that flaunt their wealth at every opportunity?
If Park Hyatt Tokyo is the aspiration property, then I guess that would make Andaz Tokyo the asspirational property?
Jul 25, 2014, 9:53 am
#95
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Some pictures of the Andaz Suite are now up on my blog.
On the whole, I had a much better experience this time around. My two biggest issues with the hotel last time were the room and the service. The suite is spectacular, and I found the service to be a lot more consistent this time around. Not perfect, but getting better.
We tried some more room service this time around, but the results were disappointing. The burger was still great, but there's only one kind to order on the menu, so having the same thing again was kind of boring. The udon was so-so, and the yaki-udon was way too spicy. We ended up bringing up food from the convenience store on the second night to eat while watching the lightning show.
I think I would stay here again if I could stay in a suite. But the suite costs much more than even the Park Suite, so if they are not going to allow the Diamond Suite Upgrades going forward, then I will happily stay at a different Hyatt hotel's suite for a fraction of the cost.
All in all, I struggle to think of what the Andaz Tokyo's place is in the pantheon of Tokyo's Hyatt hotels. It is not as luxurious as the Park Hyatt. It is certainly nowhere near as good a value as the Hyatt Regency. And the location and entertainment options aren't even close to what the Grand Hyatt has to offer.
As I mentioned to someone on Twitter, Andaz Tokyo seems to be the place for bored rich people to see and be seen at. Maybe they are shooting for the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo crowd of new money Asians with no manners, that flaunt their wealth at every opportunity?
If Park Hyatt Tokyo is the aspiration property, then I guess that would make Andaz Tokyo the asspirational property?
On the whole, I had a much better experience this time around. My two biggest issues with the hotel last time were the room and the service. The suite is spectacular, and I found the service to be a lot more consistent this time around. Not perfect, but getting better.
We tried some more room service this time around, but the results were disappointing. The burger was still great, but there's only one kind to order on the menu, so having the same thing again was kind of boring. The udon was so-so, and the yaki-udon was way too spicy. We ended up bringing up food from the convenience store on the second night to eat while watching the lightning show.
I think I would stay here again if I could stay in a suite. But the suite costs much more than even the Park Suite, so if they are not going to allow the Diamond Suite Upgrades going forward, then I will happily stay at a different Hyatt hotel's suite for a fraction of the cost.
All in all, I struggle to think of what the Andaz Tokyo's place is in the pantheon of Tokyo's Hyatt hotels. It is not as luxurious as the Park Hyatt. It is certainly nowhere near as good a value as the Hyatt Regency. And the location and entertainment options aren't even close to what the Grand Hyatt has to offer.
As I mentioned to someone on Twitter, Andaz Tokyo seems to be the place for bored rich people to see and be seen at. Maybe they are shooting for the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo crowd of new money Asians with no manners, that flaunt their wealth at every opportunity?
If Park Hyatt Tokyo is the aspiration property, then I guess that would make Andaz Tokyo the asspirational property?
Jul 25, 2014, 4:56 pm
#96
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But, having now experienced it, I can't think of a reason to choose it over HRT, GHT, or PHT in the future. The suite would have been that reason, but they've decided that everyone needs to pay a 200,000 yen initiation fee to join that club, which I'm not willing to pay when I could stay in a Park Suite for less than a fourth of the cost.
Jul 25, 2014, 11:08 pm
#97
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Don't get me wrong, I had a great time and I'm sure that you will too. I'm certainly glad I had the chance to experience it once (twice).
But, having now experienced it, I can't think of a reason to choose it over HRT, GHT, or PHT in the future. The suite would have been that reason, but they've decided that everyone needs to pay a 200,000 yen initiation fee to join that club, which I'm not willing to pay when I could stay in a Park Suite for less than a fourth of the cost.
But, having now experienced it, I can't think of a reason to choose it over HRT, GHT, or PHT in the future. The suite would have been that reason, but they've decided that everyone needs to pay a 200,000 yen initiation fee to join that club, which I'm not willing to pay when I could stay in a Park Suite for less than a fourth of the cost.
Jul 26, 2014, 5:30 am
#99
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Jul 26, 2014, 6:37 pm
#100
Join Date: Nov 2011
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it doesn't show up on their properties which don't allow suite redemptions yet. guess they have to change that.
Jul 28, 2014, 3:14 pm
#102
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Looking forward to staying there later this year when the service kinks are worked out. FWIW, Toranomon Hills looked surprisingly nice with an impressive array of interesting restaurants, almost a mini Roppongi Hills. Too bad the surrounding area seemed dead quiet, but the complex is a virtual oasis and I can see spending some time there in the evenings during a stay.
Aug 12, 2014, 5:31 am
#104
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I emailed Mr. Saint Exupery with that same question but either it's beneath him to respond or got lost in the Hyatt corporate email account. I'll let you know on Friday when I check in.
Aug 12, 2014, 6:35 am
#105
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