Feb 18, 2019, 10:57 am
Last edit by: bhrubin
As of February 2019 this hotel no longer offers club lounge access to Marriott Platinum and higher guests, even if upgraded to a room category which would otherwise offer lounge access, so lounge access mentioned in older reviews would no longer apply.
The hotel also no longer participates in Suite Night Awards.
Breakfast offering for Platinum and higher is in restaurant, buffet plus made to order eggs.
Expert Review from May 2018 posted to the Luxury Hotels Forum: “Stunning hard product with great concierge and service”
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...d-service-2620
The hotel also no longer participates in Suite Night Awards.
Breakfast offering for Platinum and higher is in restaurant, buffet plus made to order eggs.
Expert Review from May 2018 posted to the Luxury Hotels Forum: “Stunning hard product with great concierge and service”
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...d-service-2620
The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Japan, LC [Master Thread]
Dec 16, 2018, 12:31 am
#451
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
Ritz might do more for kids? I know sometimes the guest relations person does cute notes, chocolates for anniversaries, etc. But then again, we've had stories of points stays just getting their room and not much else.
I think the overall benefits would be greater at PG with Plat access to the lounge, breakfast, etc. Maybe they will have kids amenities if you ask nicely.
I think the overall benefits would be greater at PG with Plat access to the lounge, breakfast, etc. Maybe they will have kids amenities if you ask nicely.
Ritz Kids | The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
Dec 16, 2018, 2:15 am
#453
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
The Ritz Kids® Night Safari program at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo is offered exclusively for guests staying in The Carlton Suite
I was thinking something more like FS with a stuffed animal, kids robes, slippers, kids bath amenities and some coloring books.
Dec 16, 2018, 3:25 am
#454
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
During my stay earlier this month, I asked the front desk to confirm that I could have breakfast in the restaurant as well as in the Club and was told that they “would be making some changes but that for now, yes” I could have breakfast in either.
I suspect the long hand hand of Marriott May be at work, but who knows?
I suspect the long hand hand of Marriott May be at work, but who knows?
Dec 16, 2018, 3:33 am
#455
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
As for the question of R-C or PG, I can’t really speak to the toddlers issue, though threy might enjoy the immediate vicinity (mall & plaza) of the R-C more and like the fact that they are in the tallest building in Tokyo.
Both hotels are very good. The R-C is larger and offers more choices in (and I think better) restaurants, and I found the concierges there more helpful. It’s generally buzzier and seems to have a higher proportion of Western guests. Much as I love the club staff at the PG, the club is small and can get very crowded. The club at the R-C is huge, never felt crowded while I was there, and as you might expect given that it is not complimentary for loyalty members, the food offerings are more frequent, more varied and more copious.
Both hotels are very good. The R-C is larger and offers more choices in (and I think better) restaurants, and I found the concierges there more helpful. It’s generally buzzier and seems to have a higher proportion of Western guests. Much as I love the club staff at the PG, the club is small and can get very crowded. The club at the R-C is huge, never felt crowded while I was there, and as you might expect given that it is not complimentary for loyalty members, the food offerings are more frequent, more varied and more copious.
Last edited by rfrost; Dec 16, 2018 at 3:45 am
Dec 16, 2018, 5:51 am
#456
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
The LNF/BRG opportunities at this property are kind of ridiculous. Every time I'm planning a stay and I think it's finally time to check out the RC Tokyo, I end up doing a LNF match and this hotel ends up being less than half the price than the RC along with lounge access included and good room upgrades.
Last edited by Beltway2A; Dec 16, 2018 at 6:00 am
Dec 16, 2018, 6:08 pm
#457
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,471
I've been looking into this lately, how far is out is the reservation that you LNF? I'm currently about 8 months out and seeing the best pricing I can find on the hotel's website. It's also possible I'm not looking at the right OTAs. I'm strongly considering this property on either cash or points over the Ritz based on what I've seen of the hard product. The fantastic reviews of service certainly don't hurt though.
EDIT:
To actually answer your question, I did these two days ago, so it doesn't necessarily have to be far out. I do stalk the prices compulsively though (I probably check Kayak 50-100 times a day) and for some reason Feb 16 is super expensive compared to all my other dates so I couldn't get a good LNF on it.
Last edited by nexusCFX; Dec 16, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Dec 17, 2018, 12:19 am
#458
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
IMO it’s wiser to touch base as soon as you can—and certainly more than 2-3 mos in advance if you desire the top 2-3 Michelin star options. The earlier you touch base, the easier it will be to also offer and/or elicit alternative suggestions if your first choice options don’t come through.
I always touch base ASAP with concierges in cities where I’m trying to get top restaurant bookings. Tokyo, Kyoto, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Florence, Rome, London, Cape Town, Mexico City, Lima, etc.
This is mostly my fault — I'm always behind on planning upcoming travel. I could never get these really difficult things you need to plan months in advance.
Dec 17, 2018, 12:22 am
#459
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Can you please help me out? I am deciding between Ritz Tokyo or Prince Gallery to take my 2 toddlers to Disney Tokyo for a few days. We will be staying for 5 nights using points (both are at 60000pt each right now if I book before March 2010). We have PP and PE. Which hotel do you think kids will enjoy the most?
I am leaning towards Prince Gallery right now because of the lounge access and about 30min car ride to Disney. But to get my points worth, Ritz seems to be a much better choice!
thanks
Dec 17, 2018, 12:26 am
#460
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
As for the question of R-C or PG, I can’t really speak to the toddlers issue, though threy might enjoy the immediate vicinity (mall & plaza) of the R-C more and like the fact that they are in the tallest building in Tokyo.
Both hotels are very good. The R-C is larger and offers more choices in (and I think better) restaurants, and I found the concierges there more helpful. It’s generally buzzier and seems to have a higher proportion of Western guests. Much as I love the club staff at the PG, the club is small and can get very crowded. The club at the R-C is huge, never felt crowded while I was there, and as you might expect given that it is not complimentary for loyalty members, the food offerings are more frequent, more varied and more copious.
Both hotels are very good. The R-C is larger and offers more choices in (and I think better) restaurants, and I found the concierges there more helpful. It’s generally buzzier and seems to have a higher proportion of Western guests. Much as I love the club staff at the PG, the club is small and can get very crowded. The club at the R-C is huge, never felt crowded while I was there, and as you might expect given that it is not complimentary for loyalty members, the food offerings are more frequent, more varied and more copious.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:12 am
#461
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 297
The Prince Gallery isn't really a family hotel (which is one of the things I like about it — I despise hotels run over by screaming kids and vacationers). I can't speak to the Ritz Carlton Tokyo, but I can say that the Platinum benefits & recognition won't be even close to what the PG will offer.
You have to be 18y and older to use the swimming pool and it’s free for platinum.
The hotel told me it is 8000yen to take taxi from the hotel to DIsney world and that’s the best way to get there.
I might just forget about Tokyo and forget about DIsney (since we are going to DIsney world and Disney cruise in Flora in a few weeks) then just do Ritz Kyoto again. RItz Kyoto is super kids friendly.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:18 am
#462
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
I agree with you after doing more research on it. For my toddler, I will have to pay 3500Yen per day for the lounge visit because you only get plat member+1 guest for the free lounge access.
You have to be 18y and older to use the swimming pool and it’s free for platinum.
The hotel told me it is 8000yen to take taxi from the hotel to DIsney world and that’s the best way to get there.
I might just forget about Tokyo and forget about DIsney (since we are going to DIsney world and Disney cruise in Flora in a few weeks) then just do Ritz Kyoto again. RItz Kyoto is super kids friendly.
Dec 17, 2018, 11:59 am
#463
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
It comes and goes. I cannot get one for Nov 2019 right now, the OTA rates are way higher. However, I managed to pull 29k JPY a night for a week in February, and 26k for a single night after I return from Kyoto. I actually would have gotten 26k for the week, but coincidentally that rate disappeared after my first BRG for the single night. These are after the 25% off obviously, and just the pre-tax room rate, but I'd say it's quite a bargain.
EDIT:
To actually answer your question, I did these two days ago, so it doesn't necessarily have to be far out. I do stalk the prices compulsively though (I probably check Kayak 50-100 times a day) and for some reason Feb 16 is super expensive compared to all my other dates so I couldn't get a good LNF on it.
EDIT:
To actually answer your question, I did these two days ago, so it doesn't necessarily have to be far out. I do stalk the prices compulsively though (I probably check Kayak 50-100 times a day) and for some reason Feb 16 is super expensive compared to all my other dates so I couldn't get a good LNF on it.
Dec 17, 2018, 7:10 pm
#464
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,471
RC still hasn't taken the tallest building claim off their site despite Toranomon overtaking them four years ago.