siliconflyer

Absolutely agree.

sbagdon

That's about my experience. Being a 5min walk to Shinagawa was awesome, yet staying on a weekend meant there was nothing to do, within walking distance to the hotel. If I were to do it again, I'd stay some place more "touristy".

no-backpacker

I also agree on this. Although the String is a nice hotel, the area is quite boring, also in weekdays.

Xxx.

OskiBear

I've stayed several times at Tokyo Bay and I really like it. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I enjoy the view of the Bay (I've been fortunate to have always gotten a room on the bay side).

Access is fairly decent: a few blocks walk to the Hammamasuthco (sp?) station which is on the Yamanote line as well as the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda. Across the street from Hamamasutcho is Daimon station, on one of the Tokyo subway lines. There's also the closer station for the Yurikamome monoral that can get you to Odaiba.

I find it quiet but close enough to "activity" to enjoy the balance. Having once stayed in Shinjuku, I'm not a fan of having that outside my front door.

BigRedBears

Hi guys,
I will be in traveling to Japan for a week for the first time.
Originally it was supposed to be a solo trip so I booked GH Tokyo reward nights.
Now my parents decided to join, so I'm deciding between IC hotels.

We will do fairly touristy stuff, so which location would be the best?
Is there Plat Amb recognition at ANA Tokyo?

nicolas75

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...trings-ic.html

nicolas75

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...kyo-bay-8.html

nicolas75

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html

nicolas75

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...tal-tokyo.html

nicolas75

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inte...umbs-up-3.html

Dark Blue

If sightseeing is your main purpose of the trip, I might recommend the IC Yokohama or the IC Tokyo Bay. There are many touristy spots around.

The ANA Tokyo is located in a more business district. There is nothing around the Strings.

I am not sure about other hotel chain programmes, but those ICs' status recognition is pretty poor. Local small hotels might treat you better.

skeeze666

Hello - I've searched and read every thread I can find on the Tokyo Intercontinental options and I am still not sure which is best for my purposes (Tokyo Bay; ANA; The Strings). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My situation:

IHG Plat (no RA) so I am not expecting any special treatment. I will be staying 2 nights (Th/Fr) the first week of December with my dad using points or points + free night cert. I see TB at 35k; ANA at 45k; Strings at 50k - I can do any of them.

We have 3 full days and 2 nights to do touristy things. He has been to Japan 3 times, but this is my first and he is up for whatever I want to see. I just want to pick the best IC for location/ease of transport around the hotel (Arrive NRT depart HND)... I know it is vague, but we haven't really decided what we will be doing for sure, just seeing the sights, enjoying some food, etc... Neither of us care about the hotel dining or concierge or color scheme etc - we are easy going and like to find local spots while wandering around. I always have tons of hotel points in various programs, but for multiple reasons I really just want to use IHG points/cert in Tokyo, so other chains are not on the table this time.

Thanks for any advice.

htb

Strings. It's on the Yamanote circle line (gets you close to almost everywhere in Tokyo) with direct (no change required) train access to NRT (Narita Express) and HND (Keikyu Line).

HTB.

vsevolod4

I've been staying regularly at all 3.

For a while I was preferring the Strings, since it's the most convenient to transportation, and is the highest-spec hotel. On the other hand, I'm down on it because of stingy RA benefits; they have 6 suites so there is usually no inventory, thus your upgrade is virtually indistinguishable from the basic room. And there is no Club.

The ANA has the most rooms and options, and has a Club, though they long ago stopped giving access to all RAs. Transportation is OK, you have a little bit of a walk to a metro but not the most convenient.

Tokyo Bay is now my fave; it is actually cheaper than the others. It is not too far from where you want to be, but is about 5 blocks away from a "happening" area. There is the Yurikamome monorail which connects you straight to Shimbashi station (JR) and Shiodome (Edo Line), and you can walk 7 minutes or take free hotel shuttle bus to Hamamatsucho (JR) or Daimon (Edo Line) subway station. If you're a walker, this one is quite OK. And they have suites and a Club, which depending on your rate you will get upgraded to as an RA.

None are outstanding options, but the price for Tokyo hotels is decent. Though they are often sold out.

Bottom line - figure out where you need to be on business and use location as your arbiter.

nicolas75

ANA is clearly my favourite for location and superb club lounge