ANA Intercontinental Tokyo (Master Thread)
Jun 15, 2020, 10:56 pm
#181
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 102
Especially the Classic rooms at IC ANA can be on the dated to pretty worn side depending on your luck. An award will book into Classic and depending on status (ignoring RA here) you may get an upgrade to a Deluxe room as AMB / Spire which is a bit better as not as dark (due to higher floors usually) and not as worn as Classic can be. YMMV.
For us, personally, we always got for IC Strings as we need Shinkansen and NEX access and the JR Yamanote line on top is beneficial as well. We also like some food places around there including Ramen Alley & Ginza Hamburg steak restaurant behind the station. Again depends on what you plan for while in Tokyo as other posters mentioned.
For us, personally, we always got for IC Strings as we need Shinkansen and NEX access and the JR Yamanote line on top is beneficial as well. We also like some food places around there including Ramen Alley & Ginza Hamburg steak restaurant behind the station. Again depends on what you plan for while in Tokyo as other posters mentioned.
Jun 15, 2020, 11:41 pm
#182
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,735
If you want to go to outside Tokyo, e.g. we once went to Hakone from Tokyo on a day trip to see Cherry blossom and use a day onsen (hot spring) then access to Shinagawa station could be useful. Also more food places around a major station like Shinagawa obviously, but not like IC ANA has nothing. Just takes more of a walk or subway ride.
Jun 16, 2020, 7:01 am
#183
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 102
Depends on the room, but the entry level Double (Bed) room that you get for points isn't very big and IC ANA Classic is certainly larger. For Cherry blossom in Tokyo, IC ANA would work well as another poster mentioned.
If you want to go to outside Tokyo, e.g. we once went to Hakone from Tokyo on a day trip to see Cherry blossom and use a day onsen (hot spring) then access to Shinagawa station could be useful. Also more food places around a major station like Shinagawa obviously, but not like IC ANA has nothing. Just takes more of a walk or subway ride.
If you want to go to outside Tokyo, e.g. we once went to Hakone from Tokyo on a day trip to see Cherry blossom and use a day onsen (hot spring) then access to Shinagawa station could be useful. Also more food places around a major station like Shinagawa obviously, but not like IC ANA has nothing. Just takes more of a walk or subway ride.
Jun 16, 2020, 10:19 am
#184
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 610
Have the new Kimpton Shinjuku booked using free night vouchers for April, just booked the Strings @ 27,500 points a night. ANA looks a little dated for me.
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
Jun 16, 2020, 5:00 pm
#185
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 102
Have the new Kimpton Shinjuku booked using free night vouchers for April, just booked the Strings @ 27,500 points a night. ANA looks a little dated for me.
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
Do you happen to know how many points it required?
Jun 16, 2020, 5:07 pm
#186
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: Avios
Posts: 438
Agree with you on this as I have checked every morning for the past 4 weeks and the Kimpton never had any award nights available??
Jun 17, 2020, 5:10 am
#187
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 610
I booked using free night vouchers from the IHG credit card (UK) which has availability wide open.
Jun 17, 2020, 8:37 am
#188
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: BAEC, Flying Club, HHonors, Gold Passport, IHG Rewards, Le Club Accor, Club Carlson
Posts: 323
Last time I was there I was quoted 16k yen per night. Not sure if that is still the case or if anyone has a better idea.
Indeed. For me the ANA v Strings debate always comes down to what you want exactly. If you want easy access transport and lots of food places, then choose the Strings. If you want to be in Tokyo and you're there for CB then choose the ANA.
Wow, how did you get the Kimpton? You must've been in the right place at the right time. As for the ANA it is a bit dated but it is kept in very good condition. Further, it appears that my booking has not been placed in a higher category than Classic. Not sure if this is a mistake......
Depends on the room, but the entry level Double (Bed) room that you get for points isn't very big and IC ANA Classic is certainly larger. For Cherry blossom in Tokyo, IC ANA would work well as another poster mentioned.
If you want to go to outside Tokyo, e.g. we once went to Hakone from Tokyo on a day trip to see Cherry blossom and use a day onsen (hot spring) then access to Shinagawa station could be useful. Also more food places around a major station like Shinagawa obviously, but not like IC ANA has nothing. Just takes more of a walk or subway ride.
If you want to go to outside Tokyo, e.g. we once went to Hakone from Tokyo on a day trip to see Cherry blossom and use a day onsen (hot spring) then access to Shinagawa station could be useful. Also more food places around a major station like Shinagawa obviously, but not like IC ANA has nothing. Just takes more of a walk or subway ride.
Have the new Kimpton Shinjuku booked using free night vouchers for April, just booked the Strings @ 27,500 points a night. ANA looks a little dated for me.
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
How do the areas between The Strings and Kimpton compare?
I believe the new Kimpton is across the street from the Park Hyatt looking at google maps?
Jun 17, 2020, 10:12 am
#189
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 610
Wow, how did you get the Kimpton? You must've been in the right place at the right time. As for the ANA it is a bit dated but it is kept in very good condition. Further, it appears that my booking has not been placed in a higher category than Classic. Not sure if this is a mistake......
Jun 17, 2020, 5:21 pm
#190
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: BAEC, Flying Club, HHonors, Gold Passport, IHG Rewards, Le Club Accor, Club Carlson
Posts: 323
I see. I do have a voucher myself but I need five nights so the ANA it is for me. If they load I will probably change. Thanks for the clarification!
Oct 6, 2020, 7:27 am
#191
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 12
Hi,
I have a bonus booking at IC ANA from March 26 to April 1st 2021. Unfortunately I will have to cancel this room. As this is a quite popular time of year (Sakura) I will be happy to coordinate the release of this room if anyone in here would like to take over. Let me know.
I have a bonus booking at IC ANA from March 26 to April 1st 2021. Unfortunately I will have to cancel this room. As this is a quite popular time of year (Sakura) I will be happy to coordinate the release of this room if anyone in here would like to take over. Let me know.
Last edited by Oletjala; Oct 6, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Sep 4, 2022, 2:06 am
#192
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: HNL
Programs: MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 146
August 2022 Trip Report - High Floor King Bed Classic Room
I recently completed an 8-night stay at this hotel. The last time I stayed at an InterContinental hotel was over 30 years ago at what is now known as the InterContinental New York Barclay in Manhattan.
Although I visited the ANA InterContinental Tokyo before, it was for dining at their Akasaka 37th floor teppanyaki restaurant, not as a hotel guest.
My recent stay in a high floor king bed classic room was booked at a corporate discount rate, and I wasn’t eligible due to company policy to reserve a room with Club InterContinental access. Thanks to a recent IHG promotional offer, my Hilton Honors Diamond status was matched to IHG Platinum Elite status until December 2022, so I enjoyed IHG Platinum Elite benefits for this stay.
Thanks to another IHG promotional offer, after this stay, my IHG Platinum Elite status was extended to December 2023. I received an e-mail offer to purchase Ambassador status, but based on my free status match to IHG Platinum Elite, I didn’t see enough benefit in purchasing this status.
Due to the pandemic, the convenient Airport Limousine Bus suspended all service to this hotel until further notice, so getting there from Haneda or Narita Airports economically required some research. For this trip, I flew into Haneda Airport, took the Keikyu Line train/Asakusa Line subway to Shimbashi station, and then a taxi to the hotel. After checkout, I took a taxi to Tokyo station and the JR Narita Airport express to catch my return flight.
My check-in process at the hotel was excellent, fast, and efficient. Despite arriving around 7:00 PM, there was no line at the front desk, and my IHG Platinum Elite status was recognized. The front desk staff and bellhops were courteous and efficient, and I was up in my room quickly with my luggage.
I don’t know if I got an upgraded room. It had a king bed as reserved with a nice view of the Diet building and the Prime Minister’s residence and office from the 30th floor. The room was very comfortable, clean, and didn’t seem dated to me.
Normally I’m not impressed with hotel provided toiletries, but the Byredo brand hair shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, face wash, and body lotion provided in the room were very high quality and I was delighted to use them throughout my stay.
I like a firm mattress and this hotel had the most comfortable bedding I’ve experienced in almost 40 years of personal and business travel throughout the world, even when compared to other hotels at twice the nightly price.
The breakfasts at the hotel were relatively expensive, but there are plenty of much lower cost alternatives with quality food a short walk from the hotel. I did order a few room service meals to sample the cuisine from some of the hotel restaurants. The meals were high quality and delivered quickly. I also dined with a friend at the Akasaka restaurant for dinner.
The in-room refrigerator was stocked, but the drinks were quite expensive, so I walked less than a block to the Family Mart convenience store and purchased beverages at 1/5 the cost of room bar prices plus tasty and economical takeout continental breakfast foods as well.
During my stay, a bellhops arranged for a courier service to deliver a package for me in the Tokyo area at an affordable price. It was very hot during my stay in the Tokyo area and I used the hotel laundry 1-day service which provided convenience and high quality at good prices.
Thanks to my IHG Platinum Elite status, I was able to get extended checkout to 2:00 PM. I had a reservation on a 4:02 PM JR Narita Express train at Tokyo station, so they further extended my checkout time at my request to 2:30 PM. Checkout was just as efficient as check-in. A bellhop took my luggage from my room and when I told her I needed a taxi to Tokyo station, she loaded my luggage into a waiting taxi and told the driver my destination so that as soon as I was done at the front desk, I was in the cab and on my way.
I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and my stay at this location from start to finish and would stay there again when I return to the Tokyo area. The only downsides were the 5000 yen per use charge for hotel guests to use the swimming pool and the relatively high cost for breakfast at the hotel (over 4000 yen). For American guests, the strong dollar compared to the yen somewhat offsets some of the high costs in the hotel.
Although I visited the ANA InterContinental Tokyo before, it was for dining at their Akasaka 37th floor teppanyaki restaurant, not as a hotel guest.
My recent stay in a high floor king bed classic room was booked at a corporate discount rate, and I wasn’t eligible due to company policy to reserve a room with Club InterContinental access. Thanks to a recent IHG promotional offer, my Hilton Honors Diamond status was matched to IHG Platinum Elite status until December 2022, so I enjoyed IHG Platinum Elite benefits for this stay.
Thanks to another IHG promotional offer, after this stay, my IHG Platinum Elite status was extended to December 2023. I received an e-mail offer to purchase Ambassador status, but based on my free status match to IHG Platinum Elite, I didn’t see enough benefit in purchasing this status.
Due to the pandemic, the convenient Airport Limousine Bus suspended all service to this hotel until further notice, so getting there from Haneda or Narita Airports economically required some research. For this trip, I flew into Haneda Airport, took the Keikyu Line train/Asakusa Line subway to Shimbashi station, and then a taxi to the hotel. After checkout, I took a taxi to Tokyo station and the JR Narita Airport express to catch my return flight.
My check-in process at the hotel was excellent, fast, and efficient. Despite arriving around 7:00 PM, there was no line at the front desk, and my IHG Platinum Elite status was recognized. The front desk staff and bellhops were courteous and efficient, and I was up in my room quickly with my luggage.
I don’t know if I got an upgraded room. It had a king bed as reserved with a nice view of the Diet building and the Prime Minister’s residence and office from the 30th floor. The room was very comfortable, clean, and didn’t seem dated to me.
Normally I’m not impressed with hotel provided toiletries, but the Byredo brand hair shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, face wash, and body lotion provided in the room were very high quality and I was delighted to use them throughout my stay.
I like a firm mattress and this hotel had the most comfortable bedding I’ve experienced in almost 40 years of personal and business travel throughout the world, even when compared to other hotels at twice the nightly price.
The breakfasts at the hotel were relatively expensive, but there are plenty of much lower cost alternatives with quality food a short walk from the hotel. I did order a few room service meals to sample the cuisine from some of the hotel restaurants. The meals were high quality and delivered quickly. I also dined with a friend at the Akasaka restaurant for dinner.
The in-room refrigerator was stocked, but the drinks were quite expensive, so I walked less than a block to the Family Mart convenience store and purchased beverages at 1/5 the cost of room bar prices plus tasty and economical takeout continental breakfast foods as well.
During my stay, a bellhops arranged for a courier service to deliver a package for me in the Tokyo area at an affordable price. It was very hot during my stay in the Tokyo area and I used the hotel laundry 1-day service which provided convenience and high quality at good prices.
Thanks to my IHG Platinum Elite status, I was able to get extended checkout to 2:00 PM. I had a reservation on a 4:02 PM JR Narita Express train at Tokyo station, so they further extended my checkout time at my request to 2:30 PM. Checkout was just as efficient as check-in. A bellhop took my luggage from my room and when I told her I needed a taxi to Tokyo station, she loaded my luggage into a waiting taxi and told the driver my destination so that as soon as I was done at the front desk, I was in the cab and on my way.
I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and my stay at this location from start to finish and would stay there again when I return to the Tokyo area. The only downsides were the 5000 yen per use charge for hotel guests to use the swimming pool and the relatively high cost for breakfast at the hotel (over 4000 yen). For American guests, the strong dollar compared to the yen somewhat offsets some of the high costs in the hotel.
Nov 6, 2022, 1:23 pm
#194
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 822
Nov 6, 2022, 1:51 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,953
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
No
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a Classic Room and received a Classic Room (middle / high floor) as the 2-tier upgrade at; basically same room type and layout, same view, just different floor, that's all. I queried this twice during my stay and was told it was correct. The hotel GM has also since confirmed that their current Royal Ambassador Upgrade Policy is as follows:
Cosy Room -> Classic Room (middle floor)
Classic Room -> Classic Room (high floor)
How are the rooms?
Rooms have been renovated since my last stay pre-pandemic - they're much better appointed with lots of charging points and the bathroom is also a step up from before.
-Bad
Have stayed a lot here pre-pandemic and always received really good room upgrades (suites). But it now seems that they're playing the same game that the IC Sydney at Circular Quay did previously, with a myriad of different descriptions for what is essentially the same room, which obfuscates the room upgrade policy. A 2-tier upgrade from a Classic Room, to another Classic Room was the last straw for me and I can't see myself rushing to return here anytime soon.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Not really - there are plenty of other excellent properties (including other ICs) in the area at the same price-point, and given the new room upgrade policy, it is not good value in my opinion.
No
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a Classic Room and received a Classic Room (middle / high floor) as the 2-tier upgrade at; basically same room type and layout, same view, just different floor, that's all. I queried this twice during my stay and was told it was correct. The hotel GM has also since confirmed that their current Royal Ambassador Upgrade Policy is as follows:
Cosy Room -> Classic Room (middle floor)
Classic Room -> Classic Room (high floor)
How are the rooms?
Rooms have been renovated since my last stay pre-pandemic - they're much better appointed with lots of charging points and the bathroom is also a step up from before.
-Bad
Have stayed a lot here pre-pandemic and always received really good room upgrades (suites). But it now seems that they're playing the same game that the IC Sydney at Circular Quay did previously, with a myriad of different descriptions for what is essentially the same room, which obfuscates the room upgrade policy. A 2-tier upgrade from a Classic Room, to another Classic Room was the last straw for me and I can't see myself rushing to return here anytime soon.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Not really - there are plenty of other excellent properties (including other ICs) in the area at the same price-point, and given the new room upgrade policy, it is not good value in my opinion.
Why book the cheapest room, when for an extra EUR 50 you can upgrade from the Classic Room to the King Bed Classic High Floor, which allows you to upgrade to the Junior Suite (which I find very nice)?
I personally love ANA Tokyo for central location, great club lounge aned excellent service. And definitely prefer ANA over The Strings.
