joejones

For someone who doesn't want to break the bank but doesn't want to be crammed into a tiny business hotel room with a unit bath, I think Sheraton Miyako is a solid choice. It's usually much cheaper than comparable mid-range international chain hotels, perhaps because it's a little out of the way in Shirokane. Still just a few minutes' taxi ride from Shinagawa or Shibuya and a quick subway ride from the major business districts.

freecia

Cospa (Cost Performance and the 5 sided graphs) and suggested itinerary (I've browsed many on ryokan websites) are both so very Japanese. I don't know when JP schools start to teach the presentation styles but I've come to appreciate the structure, consistency, and convenience.

It might speak somewhat to the "group think" but if I like/dislike something about a major JP business hotel chain's room & service other than room size, I'd likely encounter it in their other more recently built locations, too. A friend is a Toyoko fan while I tend to go with Dormy & Tokyu Stay. We both haven't stayed at each others "go to" chain. Toyoko (bedspread) & Dormy (door before hallway with sink) have such recognizable room photos that the locations are the variable.

Pullman Taimachi is also close to Mita station & Asakusa line for a direct connection to HND & NRT.

YariGuy

I've stayed at Toyoko, Dormy, and APA and I think they're all pretty much interchangeable (that is to say, fine). There are the small places that differentiate (for example, I like the savory plum tea that Toyoko provides), but these are not major.

seigex

I stayed at the Osaka version of this hotel, granted on points not paid, but I did enjoy it. It was right above the Osaka-Uehommachi station, which is a stop or two away from the Osaka Namba station, and there was a Lawsons (or 7-11? I can't remember) right next to it. It's also walking distance to Dotonbori and everything else. The hotel was nice, rooms were big, only issue I really had was my suite upgrade that I used confirmed upgrade certificates for wasn't a suite. They just added a chair to it and called it one. Otherwise I'd definitely stay there again.

FindingFoodFluency

And at APA hotels, you can get the cult leader's, err CEO's curry

nb2nier

APA hotels have good price for their locations.

steven909

Hey Guys,

Just stayed at the AC Hotel Ginza, was offereing breakfast as a Titanium Benefit but was only valid for the 1st night/1 time use. Is this the case with AC Hotel Ginza?

I was staying for 2 nights and could only use the breakfast benefit for 1X time. Even the manager at the front desk confirmed this is the case but it seemed really strange? never experienced this before where breakfast was only valid 1X time for the duration of the stay.

stockmanjr

I've stayed at the B hotels before and liked them but my favorite one next to the TBS Building appears to still be closed. I've also stayed at the Prince Shinagawa which was quite nice. Also, I've stayed at the Richmond in Narita Town once which is solid for an early flight. I agree the Western Chains in Tokyo are overpriced. Btw for fun experiences in Tokyo check out Tokyo Cheapo.

seigex

I'm heading back to Tokyo next week for an 8-day trip and trying to find last-minute accomodations is particularly tough this season for under $500/ni. I was able to snag up 4 days of awards at the Moxy Kinshicho, but no availability near new year. I was able to get a reasonable rate though for the Super Hotel Kinshicho (easiest to change hotels to, right next to the Kinshocho station) and the Livemax Shinjuku Kabokicho. Reviews on the Livemax are, well..not good, the Super Hotel seems to be better, just less convenient for getting around.

Probably a long shot, but has anyone tried either of these hotels?

YariGuy

My wife is at the Livemax Kanda-mae right now. I booked for her 2 days before her trip -- it was one of the few hotels remaining at a "reasonable" price. Everything else was either sold out or ridiculously expensive. I've only seen the room from facetime, but it appeared to be a standard Japanese business hotel. Meaning tiny, no closet, but fine, in my opinion. The only difference is that instead of paying 8000 yen, it's north of 20,000.

I'll be headed to Tokyo on Sunday, and we'll be moving to the Prince Sakura (booked a reasonable rate for a triple months ago).

seigex

Yeah, that's what I've seen. My usual haunts for Christmas week are all either way overpriced or sold out. I did see the Livemax Kanda-Mae pop up at a discount on Agoda every once in a while. What's her opinion on it? is it clean? How's the location for food/transportation?

I leave Saturday, arrive Sunday afternoon, thankfully I was able to snag 4 days at the Moxy for the same points I got 8 days for earlier in the year. I wasn't actually planning on taking this trip this year, but my other plans fell through, so I put it together with quickness, even taking an economy award flight coming back to the US on the 2nd.

Lucky you on the Prince Sakura though, one of my favorite hotels. Stayed there in 2018, couldn't beat the location to Shinagawa station.

YariGuy

Even though she's staying at the Livemax Kanda-mae because it's close to her Tokyo office, there's a lot to eat and do around there. She's had lots of sushi and ramen, and has gone shopping near the Mitsukoshi (about a 6-min walk). The closest station is Kanda, just 250 meters or a 4-minute walk. Hotel is clean and fully functional, just small.

Looking forward to the Prince Sakura - I booked about 2 months ago for 35000 yen for a triple. I'm a little bit wary because reviews about the lounge have been pretty negative lately.

I'll be one day after you - leaving LA Sunday and arriving in Tokyo Monday. Managed to get (very expensive) United mileage tickets in J a couple of months ago.

Objectivelyreal

A twin room at the Livemax Shinjuku goes for around 70 bucks next week per night. Shinjuku is WAY more interesting than Kanda. Good luck to all legitimate travelers!

APA hotels are owned by a right-wing revanchist intent on justifying Japan�s twentieth-century aggression and denying the Nanking Massacre. Enjoy your stay.

Dormy Inn usually has a rooftop open-air public bath filled with citrus. You go in naked. That�s scary for squeamish Americans. Dormy also has (had?) free Ramen in the evenings and used to have free beer on tap at some locations. Very different from Toyoko Inn. All managers at Toyoko Inn are women, a reason to patronize that establishment. APA usually have decent restaurants on the ground floor. I�m beginning to wonder if you�ve actually been to these hotels more than once?

seigex

I already have it booked for my days for $502 for 4 nights. That's the best price between booking/agoda/direct that I could find unfortunately. But Agoda was being pretty weird, showing a cheap price, then after attempting to book saying it was 4 times what the original price was. Shinjuku's my favorite place to stay in Tokyo personally, but the reviews of the hotel are kinda meh. I also have a hotel booked in Kinshicho right next to the station (the Super Hotel I mentioned above), and right now I'm favoring. It's on the Sobu Rapid and Chuo Sobu lines which give me access to everything I need, but one late night in Shinjuku will cost me about 5000 yen in taxi fares if I miss the train

Also the pickins' for my dates I'm not using points, 12/29-1/2, are very slim at the moment. I'm checking constantly though to see what opens up.

Objectivelyreal

The Super Hotel is known for its public baths. That�s why it costs about nine dollars more per night than comparable business hotels. American travelers never mention the public baths because they are squeamish about nudity.

Try the KORYUKAKU in Shinjuku for your dates. Around 1,000 bucks for four nights. Travel tip: book way in advance. It�s cheaper, man!