I just arrived to Taipei from Tokyo, spent 3 days at the Ginza Tobu Renaissance Hotel, new to the Marriott badge, is an ex-Ramada hotel (still says so on the keys) but that is not that big a deal, overall a not bad mid-range hotel if you can get a good rate, convenient to most of central tokyo, was my first time but I would go back...

Very helpful Concierge (British I think) who was full of information, and a desk full of exact and accurate directions to go anywhere in Central Tokyo...

and the early morning Fish Market tour a 10 minute walk (south) away is a hoot, also a 10 minute walk (west) to the Shimbashi Station area, where many good restaurants at much lighter prices then the Ginza proper restaurants, but someone called Ginza the Japan version of Fifth Avenue... and on the last day the Airport Bus makes this the last stop, it was 65 minutes to Terminal 1 on Saturday morning...

Cheers...

Just my 2 cents worth...

When I'm in Tokyo, I always end up at Sheraton Yokohama or Crowne Plaza Ikebukuro.

The reason being...the Narita Express stop at those stations (Yokohama and Ikebukuro). And when you've got luggage, it helps since the N'Ex does have luggage storage section in the Green cars. Then you just get off at the station drag your luggage next door to the hotel.

Both places have department stores next or close to them. Ikebukuro is on the Yamanote loop. Yokohama, on the other hand, is just a short ride to Tokyo Station, then the Yamanote Loop.

My personal favorite is Sheraton Yokohama. It even has a Citibank next to it for quick cash off the ATM if needed.

And no, I haven't taken the limousine buses yet since I always buy the JR Rail pass.

Riot6, I'm a fan of the Yokohama Sheraton myself, however I only prefer to stay there if my plans call for visiting Yokohama/Kamakura or points south of Tokyo. However if my purpose is visiting Tokyo mainly, then I usually would opt for a hotel in Tokyo itself.

If you are a starwood person, since SPG aquired LeMeridian hotels, there is a LeMeridan across from Shinagawa Station (another stop on the Narita Express, and its also a Tokaido Shinaksen station). Its a SPG cat3 hotel so if you are redeeming points its the same for that hotel and the Yokohama Sheraton. There are also the Prince hotels (its like a whole complex of different prince hotels) in the Shinagawa Station area, that we've talked alot about here on the forums.

I had friends visit and stay at the Crowne Plaza, its not a bad hotel, its a hotel you often get as a priceline result, around 90-100usd if I recall.

The Crowne Plaza is definitely not bad, I mean, it's not a "high end" one neither but a straight up standard business hotel. I really am happy that Le Meridian is now part of SPG. It gives me more choices in Tokyo. Yey!

This Nov/Dec, I am staying at the Sheraton Yokohama and do plan on going south the Kamakura. Do you have any tips on getting there. I heard there's some kind of a local rail pass available? (No, not the JR Rail Pass, which I'm not getting this time around since it won't be worth it - I'm only around Tokyo/Yokohama instead of taking Shinkansen trips to Kyoto/Osaka) If so where do I buy it?

Yeah, for this coming trip, I did try to book award nights at Le Meridian but there was no room available that is confirmed as 2 beds. And since I'm travelling with a buddy, then one of us will have to sleep on the floor

The Crowne Plaza Tokyo is a JR East-managed hotel so discounts are also available if you hold a JR pass, you may not have to do Priceline to get it down to the traditional $100-120/night price range.

Yes theres a ticket called the "Kamakura Enoshima Free Kippu" from Yokohama Station its 1130yen. You can purchase it at the ticket office inside the station.

It covers the roundtrip from Yokohama to the Kamakura area and unlimited rides on the Enoden train (if you plan to go to Hase Station from Kamakura Station to see the giant budda statue) and its also valid on the Shonan Monorail.

I usually stay at the Capitol Tokyo. The people who book our hotels have suggested this property.
Any feedback?
Bad? Good?
Near anything besides the train station?

LapLap has commented quite extensively (and positively) on this hotel if you search around the forum--look for "New Takanawa Prince".

I did and its not working.

Both Takanawa Prince hotels are talked about in this recent thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587330

I found this site kinda useful to find my way around when I was in Japan this summer.
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

Kone,
I try using http://www.hyperdia.com , you can screen out Nozomi Shinkansen results as well if you have a JR pass, and pull up additional timetable information, somthing jorudan isn't capable of.

Shin means �new� in Japan

I�ve only got moderate things to say about New Takanawa Prince � the d�cor has put me off actually staying there. It�s the �Takanawa Prince� that I�m prepared to praise to the skies (as long as the rate is under 15,000 yen).

I do know the New Takanawa Prince offers large rooms and decent bathrooms, a convenient location and is located in beautiful grounds � it�s often extremely good value.

Calling hotels so close together by the same name with just the word 'New' to differentiate them is just asking for trouble! It's very confusing.

The NTP is also located very close to the Le Meridien Pacific (not the Le Meridien Grand Pacific on Odaiba) � there are lots of comments about this property on the SPG board which go into great detail about the pros and cons of the area.

I was just on the phone with kcvt750 and said I can't wait for laplap to post the answer ^
Thank you!

Ah well, it�s good to see that the knowledge my �under $75 per person per night� budget has forced on me can be put to use.

And $150 for a double room is a lot to me! � I want something good from it!!!