100% Green

What is the #1 hotel in terms of location and luxury? I'm sure it's mentioned in here, but hard to go through all 70 pages.

Kagehitokiri

https://web.archive.org/web/20160305...f/close_01.pdf
website down >
https://web.archive.org/web/20160330...ww.mcas.co.jp/

non-charter ended jun 30 2011 (improving economy?)
https://web.archive.org/web/20110727.../20110701.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20101121...ght/faretable/

edit - looking at Prince Gallery thread, i see a luxury hotels forum / aman regular preferred RC, and an SPG regular said RC more polished.

MikeFromTokyo

That's a subjective matter. For me it's Ritz-Carlton club level. Location in Tokyo is a relative term, but R-C's location is pretty unbeatable for leisure travelers. Business travelers often will choose the hotels closest to their offices and meeting locations.

Aventine

There's no clear no. 1 here. Just go where is convenient for your business matters or leisure and where treats you well.

hailstorm

Hard product: Aman Tokyo
Soft product: Tossup

BESVISOR

As others have mentioned above, it's very subjective...

I'm heading back to Tokyo next month en-route to Amanpulo

Was between returning to Aman Tokyo or RC at the Club Level.

Ultimately, decided to book myself at RC with an upgrade to a Corner Suite with Club access.

While I love Aman's hard product, I really felt the service was actually better at the Ritz's Club Level and since I had just booked a few clients at the RC Tokyo, thought I'd just go for another visit myself.

Also, not sure if this matters but currently, there's a 4th night free promotion w/ STARS agents and nothing too interesting at Aman.
Easier to upgrade at booking at RC as well.

Now, if I can mix Aman's hard product with RC's Club service then I've got something

BlackHappy

Agree that it's tough, so I'm splitting my 10-day trip between Palace Hotel, Aman (Corner Suite), and RC Club Level (in that order). I am curious to see how they handle our infant (ie, whether the requested amenities will all be there).

Was at Prince Gallery in March and wasn't as impressed as some others on this thread. Mostly, there was a random girl who would sleep in the hallway. Once she was just outside my door, which really freaked me out. I told the front desk and they were surprised too, but I don't know if they ever found her.

bhrubin

Other than the random girl, what else about the Prince Gallery impressed and didn't impress you?

BlackHappy

Well, the random girl was a big part of it. The fact that security couldn't figure it out baffles me. With all the times you have to swipe your key before getting onto the guest floors, you would think they would have made this a bigger priority.

I was happy with the hard product. To me, it's almost like a mini-Aman at a mini-Aman price. Nice feel overall, but smaller tub, smaller pool, smaller bar, etc.

The location is good, but one annoying thing is that the taxis could never find the carpark. I was always just dropped off at the side of the road.

bhrubin

Understood...but that obviously was a wildly unusual experience that is a negligible consideration for almost anyone's experience otherwise.

Fabulous. Your appraisal mirrors the hard product review of almost everyone I know who has stayed there.

What did you think of the service and soft product (aside from the security issue with the girl)?

Not uncommon for new hotels.

BlackHappy

Aside from the girl, the service was good and they did everything I asked them for: Shoes were shined and shirts were ironed in a timely manner. Concierge was quick to book restaurant reservations. Check-out and check-in were fast. Club staff helped me mail a package.

The best part was the bartender who took apart a tap handle because I couldn't figure out how it worked. It had flow control but not like the ones I see in the US where there's a little dial on the side to control the stream. This one produced finer bubbles when pushed in and bigger ones when pulled out. (I'm still not sure how it works.)

Jermyn

I tend to be a creature of habit and have stayed at the Conrad a lot of times. I've also stayed at the PH twice.

I was thinking of trying somewhere new on a one night stay after 5 nights in Kyoto. My flight is not until 11pm from HND (QR 813).

I have access to some quite good corporate rates and can get a regular room at the MO or Andaz, or a Club Deluxe Room at the Prince Gallery for a similar price (around 45-52k JPY inc tax).

I hold mid-tier status with SPG and Hyatt at the moment but don't realistically expect either to give me a check-out anywhere near to 8pm. I'm more or less agnostic on location too, given how much time we'll have to make our way to HND and how easy it is to get everywhere on the subway.

I'm angling towards the Prince, as the hardware looks to be the best and I tend to find that great service doesn't always have a chance to shine through, on very short stays.

What do you all think?

FlyingDoctorwu

Doesn't Pen club have 24 hour time? Not sure what your times are but check with your travel advisor and see what they can do for you...

fdw

Aventine

It's going to be 2 or 3 transfers to get to the Haneda monorail but if you're intent on subwaying it then being on the Ginza line is best. Prince and Andaz check that box. If it's good weather and you're inclined you can walk to Shimbashi from Andaz and make it an even simpler 1 transfer to the Haneda Monorail. I'd go with the hotel most willing to give a late check-out and that satisfies your hardware needs.

Jermyn

Sorry, I wasn't too clear.

I meant that I can take the subway anywhere whilst spending time in the city. So, during the stay, location isn't too important.

For transport to Haneda I'd either take the Prince's direct limousine bus or cab it to Hamamatsucho and take the monorail, in the case of the MO/Andaz.


To me it looks like the ranking in terms of hard product is as follows

1. Prince
2. Andaz
3. MO

Is that a fair assessment?