Red259

Maybe as a day trip. I only have limited time in Tokyo. 3 days/two nights. This is basically just a layover on my way into SE Asia.

hailstorm

I'd just as soon spend those two nights chilling in hot springs town at HR Hakone, although that is radically different from the Tokyo experience.

Red259

Yea, I can see that but with limited time and the fact i am headed into SE Asia and places like Vietnam I think I'd be better suited staying in Tokyo especially since its the weekend. I may make it a day trip though (depending on weather), since I did not visit there on my last trip to Japan.

OsakaWino

Thinking ahead to GW next year when I'll be demoted to Explo and looking at P+C at Andaz and GH. We've always preferred PH as Dia/Glob using a TSU (I guess we're 90s type people), but without the Dia/Glob benefits and the suite, I'm torn between Andaz with no likely benefits (maybe an upgrade to a view room?) or GH with a club access award.

Location is not an issue. We actually prefer the quietness of Toranomon, but have no problem with Roppongi.

We much prefer the view and room at Andaz, and if I had no status at all that is definitely the way we would go.

But being the cheapskate that I am I have a hard time saying no to the lounge F&B at GH, especially since in the evening it is (or at least was on are last stay) easily sufficient for dinner, as we are very light eaters, and the wines were the best I've ever since in a lounge. This of course assumes that the club access award is available, since I won't be able to apply it until Mar 1.

I'd be interested in hearing which one others would choose.

hailstorm

You'll also have the new Hyatt Centric Ginza to choose from, though I doubt you could use a Club Upgrade there.

(Have soft landings for 2018 been confirmed?)

OsakaWino

It was reported by the Mods that Jeff confirmed soft landing (i.e., one-rank downgrade even if not qualifying for the downgraded level), but of of course, Jeff is leaving...

In any case, I'll have 30-33 nights (trying to max out my last year as Dia/Glob) this year so Explo is a given. Might try the Centric (is it opening as early as GW in 2018) for a night, since that will give me 5 brands.

Going to the Andaz as an Explo will be a bit sad, as it would be our first non-Dia/Glob stay anywhere in 6 years

headinclouds

Will be in Tokyo for 2 nights in Feb 2018. Still a Globalist, but want to use my 1 free night, so no chance to use a DSU. Will use points or cash+points for the 2nd night. The PH rates not useful since the regular member rate is about $400/night. The GH is best with cash+points. I have been to the Andaz, but the room layout was not pleasing to me. I'm not concerned about either property's location. What might persuade me is whether champagne or wine is part of the complementary Globalist benefit for the PH evening happy hour in the NY bar. Which hotel do the regulars suggest?

OsakaWino

The Dia/Glob benefit at PH has not been in the NY bar for a couple years now. It is the Twilight Time at the Peak Bar. They serve wines and sparkling at PH Twilight Time, but the quality is pretty low. Still wines in the GH lounge were excellent, but the atmosphere there is like a high-school cafeteria. Unless very crowded, PH Twilight Time atmosphere is excellent, especially if you get a seat near the windows. Food is exponentially better at GH lounge. Conclusion, if your looking for a meal, then definitely the GH, if you're looking for a couple drinks in a nice atmosphere before eating elsewhere, then the PH. As for the room, GH has an excellent shower, but nothing else; zero view, possibly eye-to-eye view with the adjacent office building.

Aventine

PH will also let you have breakfast via room service as a grandfathered benefit.

OsakaWino

In sum, as a Glob, I would always select the PH.

Kacee

Is that over Andaz as well?

OsakaWino

Assuming similar rates, yes. The perks at the PH are too much for me to pass up: we are especially fond of room service breakfast, Twilight Time is a nice atmosphere to spend an hour or even 2 hr, while Andaz happy hour is 15-30 min. The spa at the PH is also much nicer.

Andaz wins on view due to the much larger windows, and also the communal whirlpools at the pool, but the locker room and bath areas do not compare to the PH.

Without Glob status, however, we are torn between Andaz and using a Explo lounge upgrade at GH. If I was feeling a little rich it would be Andaz, if I wanted to save money on F&B it would be GH.

But these would be my choices. I have a physical condition that make it difficult for me to eat off-property. Our first choice is room service, 2nd a lounge, and 3rd, only if necessary a restaurant on-property. If I were to make a recommendation to someone without status visiting Tokyo as a tourist, I would go with the a Deluxe or Club room at HR and explore local restaurants, which is what we did when visiting new places when we were younger. The Andaz is an option for the well-heeled, but it means using a lot of taxis, while the HR has the absolute best public transportation of any Hyatt in Tokyo.

headinclouds

Thanks for the correction about the Twight Time. Are there complimentary snacks to go with one's drinks? It seems that the basic room is larger at PH compared to GH. That would be useful to know if true. What are the chances for a good view room at PH as a Globalist since it is only 2 nights? Lastly, the breakfast options at PH. The Andez buffet was over the top. Is the PH similar in style, though restrained? There was an earlier post that stated that the buffet was underwherlming and that room service bfkt was cold, not good. I suspect that was a one off event.

Kacee

Thanks, this is great information. Considering a TYO trip before I lose Globalist Feb. 28, 2018.

MattEvan

Just to correct some wrong info: Andaz wine and canapés is 6-8pm, 7 days a week. If things are slow and they put hem away, just ask a host and they will open a bottle for you. Also, the spa at Andaz is comparable or better than PHT. Andaz spa has Tokyo’s only public carbonated water bath.

Unless your schedule calls for an inordinate amount of time in Shinjuku, Andaz location is much better.