Tokyo Luxury Hotels (consolidated thread -- older thread, now closed)
Dec 23, 2016, 11:40 pm
#916
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
As I said, MO has the edge if you are looking for views and a wide variety excellent resturants within the hotel. You literally could eat very well for days on end if you never stepped outside of MO Tokyo.
But, FS Marounouchi's boutique size has its advantages too. The F&B in the hotel's one restaurant is excellent, and the small size allows for personalised service that is second to none (with the exception of R-C Club level, perhaps S-L club level as well). FS is no longer the newest hotel in town, but they compensate for what they lack in facilities and F&B options with exceptional service.
As you said earlier, this is definitely a first world problem
You'll be happy at either hotel.
Last edited by MikeFromTokyo; Dec 24, 2016 at 12:06 am
Dec 24, 2016, 3:23 pm
#917
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SAN, LAX, SFO
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 120
The soundproofing at FS Marunouchi is so good that it is never a problem. The hotels are, as you note, very close together and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small shops and restaurants in close proximity by foot, taxi, or public transportation. You will need to know where to look to find the best ones, but the concierge at either hotel can help with that.
As I said, MO has the edge if you are looking for views and a wide variety excellent resturants within the hotel. You literally could eat very well for days on end if you never stepped outside of MO Tokyo.
But, FS Marounouchi's boutique size has its advantages too. The F&B in the hotel's one restaurant is excellent, and the small size allows for personalised service that is second to none (with the exception of R-C Club level, perhaps S-L club level as well). FS is no longer the newest hotel in town, but they compensate for what they lack in facilities and F&B options with exceptional service.
As you said earlier, this is definitely a first world problem You'll be happy at either hotel.
As I said, MO has the edge if you are looking for views and a wide variety excellent resturants within the hotel. You literally could eat very well for days on end if you never stepped outside of MO Tokyo.
But, FS Marounouchi's boutique size has its advantages too. The F&B in the hotel's one restaurant is excellent, and the small size allows for personalised service that is second to none (with the exception of R-C Club level, perhaps S-L club level as well). FS is no longer the newest hotel in town, but they compensate for what they lack in facilities and F&B options with exceptional service.
As you said earlier, this is definitely a first world problem
You'll be happy at either hotel.
Dec 24, 2016, 4:47 pm
#918
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 442
I would go with MO over FS because of all the reasons Mike mentioned and I preferred the more tranquil Nihonbashi area to the busy Tokyo Station.
Dec 24, 2016, 5:09 pm
#919
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
That's probably what I'm going to switch to. Rates are only about $20USD difference and there are plenty of restaurants to use the FHR/virtuoso credit.
Dec 26, 2016, 8:59 am
#920
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
and if taking NEX to FS >
seem to recall someone posting that FS would escort to/from all trains
Airport greeting service
Four Seasons personnel will meet guests in the arrival hall (immediately outside the customs exit) and assist with currency exchange and ground transportation. Guests will then be escorted to the boarding area for the local transportation of their preference. For guests choosing to take the Narita Express train into the city (the fastest way to central Tokyo), Four Seasons personnel will greet them on their arrival platform at Tokyo Station, assist with luggage and escort them to the Hotel. A minimum 24-hour advance reservation is required with confirmed flight details; service fee applies.
Four Seasons personnel will meet guests in the arrival hall (immediately outside the customs exit) and assist with currency exchange and ground transportation. Guests will then be escorted to the boarding area for the local transportation of their preference. For guests choosing to take the Narita Express train into the city (the fastest way to central Tokyo), Four Seasons personnel will greet them on their arrival platform at Tokyo Station, assist with luggage and escort them to the Hotel. A minimum 24-hour advance reservation is required with confirmed flight details; service fee applies.
Dec 26, 2016, 9:20 am
#922
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i meant every time a guest went in/out of train station(s)
Dec 26, 2016, 9:50 am
#924
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
FS >
SL >
shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/about/map-directions/
from FS report >
service accompanying guests to/from each train or metro or airport express etc and also the service to buy tickets is an incredible time saver and cannot be underestimated- this service (offered as far as I know only by the FS Tokyo) alone is an excellent reason to stay at the FS
shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/about/map-directions/
The hotel provides complimentary escort service from and to any train boarding platform at Tokyo Station
Service at the FS is completely intuitive- things get done without even you asking.
Taxis, trains, whatever it may be- the concierge and the team at the FS are able to manage it all- when we left some important medicine at the RC in the fridge the FS instantly took care of everything- incidentally it was not that easy with the RC in comparison.
Taxis, trains, whatever it may be- the concierge and the team at the FS are able to manage it all- when we left some important medicine at the RC in the fridge the FS instantly took care of everything- incidentally it was not that easy with the RC in comparison.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Dec 26, 2016 at 9:57 am
Dec 26, 2016, 8:08 pm
#925
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
It would work on reserved seat, scheduled arrivals of any kind I suppose. i.e. if the hotel can know when and where to wait for you.
The service is primarily useful for first time arrivals, when people might not know where to exit the station and find the hotel's rather nondescript entrance.
If departing from Tokyo station, hotel could escort guests to any train upon request.
The service is primarily useful for first time arrivals, when people might not know where to exit the station and find the hotel's rather nondescript entrance.
If departing from Tokyo station, hotel could escort guests to any train upon request.
Dec 26, 2016, 10:10 pm
#926
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SAN, LAX, SFO
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 120
Surprisingly, now I actually have a change of mind from earlier. I am contemplating trying out both properties with a 2/3 split between FS and MO. Hopefully with my own 1st hand experience, I will have a easier time in sticking with one hotel for my future trips. A mid-stay move shouldn't be that big a deal. Just pack up after breakfast on day 3 and drop off the bags at MO and go about our usual day of sight-seeing. When we return at the end of the day, hopefully the room would be ready.
One thing I didn't notice mentioned on either hotels' web site is their house cars. Do either one have a complimentary house car for guests to use on a FCFS basis? I know many FS and MO hotels do offer such services within a 2 to 3-mile radius of the hotels. Just curious.
Dec 26, 2016, 10:40 pm
#927
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
For an uptick of $200/night for MO, I would just keep what you have at FS Marunouchi and spend the extra $200 per day on wine or put it towards meals. But that's just me. I can understand how the views would be worth a certain amount to visitors who are not often in Tokyo.
Plus, you could even get FSPP upgrade at FS Marunouchi on your existing reservation.
Plus, you could even get FSPP upgrade at FS Marunouchi on your existing reservation.
Dec 26, 2016, 11:35 pm
#928
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SAN, LAX, SFO
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 120
For an uptick of $200/night for MO, I would just keep what you have at FS Marunouchi and spend the extra $200 per day on wine or put it towards meals. But that's just me. I can understand how the views would be worth a certain amount to visitors who are not often in Tokyo.
Plus, you could even get FSPP upgrade at FS Marunouchi on your existing reservation.
Plus, you could even get FSPP upgrade at FS Marunouchi on your existing reservation.
With FSPP I generally did get upgraded more than 1/2 of the times unless peak time. Likewise, MO Fan Club also got me a fair number of upgrades in the past. However, I am not counting on an upgrade this time since it will be cherry blossom season by then. It would definitely be the icing on the cake if I did get one. That was why I booked into the room category spacious enough for us even without an upgrade.
Dec 27, 2016, 12:22 am
#929
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Yes, there is no way to put a price tag on the views and the ambient. On the other hand, we will be staying at FS Kyoto after Tokyo. It's another boutique hotel, but brand new. So maybe a stay in a larger hotel like MO in between would be a nice change.
With FSPP I generally did get upgraded more than 1/2 of the times unless peak time. Likewise, MO Fan Club also got me a fair number of upgrades in the past. However, I am not counting on an upgrade this time since it will be cherry blossom season by then. It would definitely be the icing on the cake if I did get one. That was why I booked into the room category spacious enough for us even without an upgrade.
With FSPP I generally did get upgraded more than 1/2 of the times unless peak time. Likewise, MO Fan Club also got me a fair number of upgrades in the past. However, I am not counting on an upgrade this time since it will be cherry blossom season by then. It would definitely be the icing on the cake if I did get one. That was why I booked into the room category spacious enough for us even without an upgrade.
Dec 27, 2016, 3:31 am
#930
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
With 123 rooms + 58 Residences, FS Kyoto is not a boutique hotel and does not feel that way at all.