Andaz Tokyo - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 17, 2018, 8:16 am
#1186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,163
Jan 17, 2018, 10:34 am
#1187
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
It's definitely not a concierge problem. I received the following response from PH concierge with regards to booking Yoshitake a few months ago. They were able to book Jiro for me instead.
Just for your information, Yoshitake open for dinner time only and now they tends to take reservation from their local repeaters only.
We will try first but to be honest, we never succeed making reservation last 6 months.
We will try first but to be honest, we never succeed making reservation last 6 months.
Jan 18, 2018, 12:12 pm
#1188
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
I just wanted to say here that Andaz Tokyo is far superior to PH. My wife and I stayed at both on a recent trip, because there appeared to be so much debate between it and PH. Andaz, in addition to being cheaper was far superior in every aspect, especially the wonderful wonderful breakfasts and pool area. I don't understand how there can even be a debate.
For us, there is no question Andaz will be our preferred place next time in Tokyo!
For us, there is no question Andaz will be our preferred place next time in Tokyo!
Jan 18, 2018, 9:41 pm
#1189
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 123
Thanks, we have Sushisho Masa booked on a different day so not too torn up. We are going to go with Ginza Kitafuku instead of Yoshitake. Next time...
Jan 19, 2018, 12:59 pm
#1190
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
That’s not the fault of the Concierge. It’s impressive that they were able to book Sukiyabashi Jiro (assuming Honten), as they do not liberally take hotel concierge reservations by any means.
Jan 19, 2018, 3:11 pm
#1191
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Interesting, I've heard of many people successfully booking the Ginza location through PH concierge. Great experience, we were served by Jiro himself on his 92nd birthday and he even took a photo with us.
Jan 25, 2018, 10:04 pm
#1192
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
I was two minutes away from the hotel when I realized it doesn’t work as a personal hotspot. I made a bee line back to the hotel and asked the bell staff to send it back to my room.
On a side note, my favorite bartender, Abe San, at the Tavern Lounge apparently has left the hotel last month and moved to the bar at Prince Gallery. Kind of ironic as I was staying there prior to Andaz and I didn’t see him at all at the bar! The new bartender, from the IC, is not as good as Abe San, at least in making our cocktails.
Jan 26, 2018, 1:56 am
#1193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
The Sharp phone is basically useless as a personal hotspot (I.e. doesn’t work at all). I guess you can use the phone itself and access the internet via the built in browser, but it is very slow and loaded with crap that makes using the phone a very inferior experience.
I was two minutes away from the hotel when I realized it doesn’t work as a personal hotspot. I made a bee line back to the hotel and asked the bell staff to send it back to my room.
On a side note, my favorite bartender, Abe San, at the Tavern Lounge apparently has left the hotel last month and moved to the bar at Prince Gallery. Kind of ironic as I was staying there prior to Andaz and I didn’t see him at all at the bar! The new bartender, from the IC, is not as good as Abe San, at least in making our cocktails.
I'm sure that new bartender will get better with time. Takes some time to get acclimatized to the Andaz way.
Jan 26, 2018, 5:28 am
#1194
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
On a side note, my favorite bartender, Abe San, at the Tavern Lounge apparently has left the hotel last month and moved to the bar at Prince Gallery. Kind of ironic as I was staying there prior to Andaz and I didn’t see him at all at the bar! The new bartender, from the IC, is not as good as Abe San, at least in making our cocktails.
Jan 27, 2018, 7:15 pm
#1195
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
One of the long time bartenders at Rooftop Bar was previously at IC Mixx Bar, and is very talented. As a long time local resident, I used to follow bartenders and management when they moved around to different hotels. It’s a good way to experience new places and always get the best service.
Apart from the usual suspects like Bar High Five and Gen Yamamot, as a local, what other hotel bars do you patronize? I liked the music and ambiance of the NYB, but their cocktails are not good at all and at times extortionate (they once tried to charge me ¥4400 for a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned).
On a side note, Andaz needs to get their act together with regards to breakfast reservations. This is the second time my reservation for a corner window table at breakfast was lost - I even made the reservation in person with the manager the day before during breakfast, to which the guy even said no problem all taken care of.
Jan 27, 2018, 10:23 pm
#1196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
I used to go to the Rooftop Bar, which has very nice cocktails as well, but have preferred the Tavern Lounge as it was more relaxing and laid back, especially nice after a long day of walking. The Rooftop Bar was not relaxing enough, and in winter, too cold for us. Is the long time bartender at the Rooftop Bar still here in Andaz?
Apart from the usual suspects like Bar High Five and Gen Yamamot, as a local, what other hotel bars do you patronize? I liked the music and ambiance of the NYB, but their cocktails are not good at all and at times extortionate (they once tried to charge me ¥4400 for a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned).
On a side note, Andaz needs to get their act together with regards to breakfast reservations. This is the second time my reservation for a corner window table at breakfast was lost - I even made the reservation in person with the manager the day before during breakfast, to which the guy even said no problem all taken care of.
Jan 28, 2018, 6:50 am
#1197
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I used to go to the Rooftop Bar, which has very nice cocktails as well, but have preferred the Tavern Lounge as it was more relaxing and laid back, especially nice after a long day of walking. The Rooftop Bar was not relaxing enough, and in winter, too cold for us. Is the long time bartender at the Rooftop Bar still here in Andaz?
Apart from the usual suspects like Bar High Five and Gen Yamamot, as a local, what other hotel bars do you patronize? I liked the music and ambiance of the NYB, but their cocktails are not good at all and at times extortionate (they once tried to charge me ¥4400 for a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned).
When in Tokyo I frequent the Oak Door (now temporarily closed), Maduro, Four Seasons Marunouchi, Trader Vic’s at the New Otani, R2 (Roppongi), and the Ritz-Carlton. All of these are very different, but for me are enjoyable for different reasons. Some are very quiet places, while R2 and Oak Door can be crowded on busy nights.
Jan 28, 2018, 9:00 am
#1198
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
Jan 28, 2018, 9:08 pm
#1199
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
It wasn’t too big of a deal, but I just wanted to share this fact as the exact same thing happened to me twice in my stay. The staff wasn’t too helpful either, uttering something along the lines of “I’m not sure why but I can’t find your booking and there’s nothing I can do.”
Jan 28, 2018, 10:07 pm
#1200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
It wasn’t too big of a deal, but I just wanted to share this fact as the exact same thing happened to me twice in my stay. The staff wasn’t too helpful either, uttering something along the lines of “I’m not sure why but I can’t find your booking and there’s nothing I can do.”