Andaz Tokyo - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jun 8, 2018, 7:32 pm
#1261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,436
I think the Andaz pool facilities are better than PHT, and the gym is comparative. But no spa in Tokyo is on the level of PHT, not even MO or Aman.
Jun 12, 2018, 2:06 pm
#1262
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 4
Looks like from what I've seen the phones they give you aren't very worthwhile? Can they be used solely as a gps basically? Just need a way to be able to input a location and get a means of getting there, I will pay for the international data package on my phone if I have to but would love to save the money. Thanks!
Jun 12, 2018, 2:14 pm
#1264
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
Looks like from what I've seen the phones they give you aren't very worthwhile? Can they be used solely as a gps basically? Just need a way to be able to input a location and get a means of getting there, I will pay for the international data package on my phone if I have to but would love to save the money. Thanks!
Probably my number 1 tip for japan travel.
Jun 12, 2018, 2:20 pm
#1265
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Do you have a specific brand you use?
Every time I look at those, I find it's much cheaper to just pay for international service on my cell (not to mention, much more convenient). Granted, I have T-Mobile, so slow international roaming is free, and 1 GB costs $20US for 10 days.
But those Mifis I see for rent are generally around $10US/day. Pricey in comparison to international roaming on really any US carrier at this point. Not sure what the Canadian carriers do.
Every time I look at those, I find it's much cheaper to just pay for international service on my cell (not to mention, much more convenient). Granted, I have T-Mobile, so slow international roaming is free, and 1 GB costs $20US for 10 days.
But those Mifis I see for rent are generally around $10US/day. Pricey in comparison to international roaming on really any US carrier at this point. Not sure what the Canadian carriers do.
Jun 12, 2018, 4:31 pm
#1266
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Have you used pocket wifi? I use it every time I go to Japan, even if just staying in Tokyo. I pick it up at the airport (but they can also have it ready for pick up at your hotel), and just drop it off at the airport in the envelope they provide.
Probably my number 1 tip for japan travel.
Probably my number 1 tip for japan travel.
Jun 12, 2018, 4:36 pm
#1267
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
The pocket wifi I found to fit easily in a small backpack, and lasted easily the day as long as charged daily, and so easy to have multiple devices connected. Is SIM card cheaper considering you'd need two if travelling with a partner?
Jun 12, 2018, 4:43 pm
#1268
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
Do you have a specific brand you use?
Every time I look at those, I find it's much cheaper to just pay for international service on my cell (not to mention, much more convenient). Granted, I have T-Mobile, so slow international roaming is free, and 1 GB costs $20US for 10 days.
But those Mifis I see for rent are generally around $10US/day. Pricey in comparison to international roaming on really any US carrier at this point. Not sure what the Canadian carriers do.
Every time I look at those, I find it's much cheaper to just pay for international service on my cell (not to mention, much more convenient). Granted, I have T-Mobile, so slow international roaming is free, and 1 GB costs $20US for 10 days.
But those Mifis I see for rent are generally around $10US/day. Pricey in comparison to international roaming on really any US carrier at this point. Not sure what the Canadian carriers do.
It starts at 50$ USD I think and I believe it goes up by 3$ per day. The major advantage for me is the unlimited data, the speed, and connecting multiple devices.
I'm especially looking forward to it this time as its the world cup next time I'm in Japan, and I'll need to stream heavy data every morning to catch up on the games
Edit: Don't get started on roaming charges for Canadian carriers. Its horrendous. I've incurred exorbitant charges just at stop overs at US airports without free wifi to simply answer a text, or update a flight or light email. Canadian carriers need to improve
Jun 12, 2018, 4:50 pm
#1269
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Would those cards have unlimited data?
The pocket wifi I found to fit easily in a small backpack, and lasted easily the day as long as charged daily, and so easy to have multiple devices connected. Is SIM card cheaper considering you'd need two if travelling with a partner?
The pocket wifi I found to fit easily in a small backpack, and lasted easily the day as long as charged daily, and so easy to have multiple devices connected. Is SIM card cheaper considering you'd need two if travelling with a partner?
I prefer to travel light and rarely carry a backpack on the go so I'd rather not add an extra devices that weigh me down and the pocket wifi is not exactly a light device.
As to your question about it being cheaper, I've found it to be cheaper when traveling for 2 over the course a week but YMMV.. I usually opt for a small plan (1GB) mainly for directions, while my SO opts for a higher so she can use Instagram etc on the trains. Not to mention you can just toss the SIM when done and don't have to worry about being liable or returning an expensive device.
Jun 12, 2018, 4:56 pm
#1270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
I'm not sure why one would require unlimited data when wifi is presumably free at your hotel(s)?
I prefer to travel light and rarely carry a backpack on the go so I'd rather not add an extra devices that weigh me down and the pocket wifi is not exactly a light device.
As to your question about it being cheaper, I've found it to be cheaper when traveling for 2 over the course a week but YMMV.. I usually opt for a small plan (1GB) mainly for directions, while my SO opts for a higher so she can use Instagram etc on the trains. Not to mention you can just toss the SIM when done and don't have to worry about being liable or returning an expensive device.
I prefer to travel light and rarely carry a backpack on the go so I'd rather not add an extra devices that weigh me down and the pocket wifi is not exactly a light device.
As to your question about it being cheaper, I've found it to be cheaper when traveling for 2 over the course a week but YMMV.. I usually opt for a small plan (1GB) mainly for directions, while my SO opts for a higher so she can use Instagram etc on the trains. Not to mention you can just toss the SIM when done and don't have to worry about being liable or returning an expensive device.
Jun 12, 2018, 5:01 pm
#1271
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
My provider already gives me free 2G access throughout Japan so I don't even need the SIM but I will happily pay ~2,500 yen for a week of 4G data.
Jun 12, 2018, 5:16 pm
#1272
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
I'm not sure why one would require unlimited data when wifi is presumably free at your hotel(s)?
I prefer to travel light and rarely carry a backpack on the go so I'd rather not add an extra devices that weigh me down and the pocket wifi is not exactly a light device.
As to your question about it being cheaper, I've found it to be cheaper when traveling for 2 over the course a week but YMMV.. I usually opt for a small plan (1GB) mainly for directions, while my SO opts for a higher so she can use Instagram etc on the trains. Not to mention you can just toss the SIM when done and don't have to worry about being liable or returning an expensive device.
I prefer to travel light and rarely carry a backpack on the go so I'd rather not add an extra devices that weigh me down and the pocket wifi is not exactly a light device.
As to your question about it being cheaper, I've found it to be cheaper when traveling for 2 over the course a week but YMMV.. I usually opt for a small plan (1GB) mainly for directions, while my SO opts for a higher so she can use Instagram etc on the trains. Not to mention you can just toss the SIM when done and don't have to worry about being liable or returning an expensive device.
Yes wifi is free at the hotel, but during the day when out and about, and on trains, it is a life saver. If I didn't travel with a backpack of briefcase, then yes the pocket wifi would be sizeable, but it is definitely smaller than many smart phones people carry around nowadays! Maybe slightly heavier, but better dimensions for sure.
Also when travelling, I typically have an ipad and laptop, and wife has her own phone and laptop.
1 Gb is not a lot of data imo, google maps, listening to podcasts/ steaming news on the go, eats it up so fast.
And again... for the world cup starting soon... I don't want to worry about any data limits at all.
Jun 12, 2018, 5:50 pm
#1273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Additional inconvenience in lack of phone number for voice and text messages.
Jun 12, 2018, 6:26 pm
#1274
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
98% of my conversations take place on iMessage/WhatsApp which is not affected by the number change and you can check your voicemail easily, or just swap out your SIM card as needed.
Pocket wifi is certainly not a bad solution... I am just saying there are many options and SIM card is my personal preference.