Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo (Autograph Collection), Japan [Master Thread]
Feb 19, 2018, 4:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
LOCATION
The hotel is located fairly close by Shinagawa Station, which is a major subway/rail station in Tokyo (something akin to Gare du Nord in Paris). If you are coming in from Narita, you can take the Narita Express directly here. It is simply the stop after Tokyo Station (note: the 12-car NEX train splits in two at Tokyo Station so your 6-car train will journey on towards Shinagawa and beyond).
When you arrive at Shinagawa from the airport, like any major rail terminal, it will be a complete whirlwind. You will want to head towards sign that say "Central Gate". You will need to use your ticket to exit the turnstiles. Once you've exited the turnstile, you will head left towards the West Gate, which is the Takanawa area. To get to the hotel, walk north (i.e., make a right when you get outside onto the street) about the equivalent of a NYC block, cross the major street at the crosswalk (where there is a 7-11, though not a Sevens Bank ATM), and head up the hill about the equivalent of a NYC block and a half. While this part of the walk is uphill, it is only somewhat steep and not overwhelmingly long, so we never really thought it was that hard (even on arrival with large suitcases of luggage to haul ourselves). In total, it will probably take about 8-10 minutes from the subway/rail platform to the hotel entrance.
As a Plat, I was upgraded to a corner room (5131) on the 11th floor. This is a large room with wide view that includes Tokyo Tower.
Beer in the Executive Lounge is canned Asahi, Sapporo and Heineken.
A few tables were available when I entered the lounge for breakfast, but when I left there was a que 8 deep.
The gym opens at 6. I entered at 6:05 and it was half full. Three treadmills and 3 or 4 ellipticals with free weights and other machines. You need to sign your name and room number upon entering.
I don't like this location compared to the Courtyard in Ginza. Once you get two blocks from the station, the activity level really drops off. The hotel itself is great, but I've canceled my reservation for later this week and rebooked at the Courtyard.
Last edited by CO-PLAT; Jun 12, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Mar 11, 2018, 5:54 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581
Great stay at Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo
I stayed here for 7 nights with my wife and 2 kids from 20-27 Dec 2017, as I used Marriott Travel Packages redemption for Avios as well as 7 night cat 8 certificate. The location is very close to Shinagawa station, better than Marriott Tokyo. It makes it very easy to go out as Shinagawa station is a huge station in Tokyo.
We arrived at Prince Sakura Tower via Taxi from Haneda Airport, about 5000 Yen for all 4 of us. We were way too tired to catch the train to Shinagawa and with 2 small kids it is better to take the taxi.
We were given high floor room overlooking the garden. The room is very roomy for Japanese standards and easily fit my 5 year old son and my 2 year old daughter (in a cot). Definitely much bigger than say Marriott Tokyo and other Marriott chain hotels (maybe except Ritz Carlton).
The garden itself is worth visiting as it is beautiful, nested between other Prince Group hotels.
As Marriott Gold we received free breakfast for family of 4 daily in the executive lounge on ground floor. The food is adequate for our needs and I love the Japanese design of the hotel. Having said that during peak hours at around 9am the lounge can get crowded and you have to wait to get in ......
We also received late checkout as Marriott Gold. We left Prince Sakura to Narita Airport by limosine bus, which you can buy from hotel. We were originally thinking of taking NEX from Shinagawa but with 2 small kids and luggages we found the bus far easier as the bus pick up from the front of the hotel.
There are coin operated laundry nearby but takes about 13 minutes walk just behind the Takanawadai Station. To get there you will need to go via the garden and via the foyers of the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa and towards the station. It is called Tajima Coin Laundry in Google Maps it is mainly used by the locals.
We were very happy with the hotel and will not hesitate to stay there again, and recommend it to others. Will stay here again next time I come to Tokyo.
We arrived at Prince Sakura Tower via Taxi from Haneda Airport, about 5000 Yen for all 4 of us. We were way too tired to catch the train to Shinagawa and with 2 small kids it is better to take the taxi.
We were given high floor room overlooking the garden. The room is very roomy for Japanese standards and easily fit my 5 year old son and my 2 year old daughter (in a cot). Definitely much bigger than say Marriott Tokyo and other Marriott chain hotels (maybe except Ritz Carlton).
The garden itself is worth visiting as it is beautiful, nested between other Prince Group hotels.
As Marriott Gold we received free breakfast for family of 4 daily in the executive lounge on ground floor. The food is adequate for our needs and I love the Japanese design of the hotel. Having said that during peak hours at around 9am the lounge can get crowded and you have to wait to get in ......
We also received late checkout as Marriott Gold. We left Prince Sakura to Narita Airport by limosine bus, which you can buy from hotel. We were originally thinking of taking NEX from Shinagawa but with 2 small kids and luggages we found the bus far easier as the bus pick up from the front of the hotel.
There are coin operated laundry nearby but takes about 13 minutes walk just behind the Takanawadai Station. To get there you will need to go via the garden and via the foyers of the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa and towards the station. It is called Tajima Coin Laundry in Google Maps it is mainly used by the locals.
We were very happy with the hotel and will not hesitate to stay there again, and recommend it to others. Will stay here again next time I come to Tokyo.
Mar 11, 2018, 8:44 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
Reason for my suggestion is that before you show up, all the hotel will see is your wife Silver status. You can contact the hotel in advance about your Gold status, but that will only be just a comment added to your booking. When someone just run a "quick" report to process the upgrade and stuff, your reservation will most likely not on the list.
Hope this help.
Mar 13, 2018, 5:34 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I wonder if there will be more Prince hotels re-flagged to Marriott brands, as they have several now, both in Japan and elsewhere like Hawaii.
Mar 16, 2018, 3:49 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Based on other threads I've read, I don't believe so. Some properties (like this one) have split personalities, and only part of the hotel is really Marriott.
Mar 16, 2018, 3:51 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Apr 1, 2018, 9:25 am
#24
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
Anyone have luck getting them to accept two adults and one child (mine is age 7) on an award stay? I can't book online. Will probably call reservations. Thanks!
Last edited by JNelson113; Apr 1, 2018 at 9:58 am
Apr 1, 2018, 9:21 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
May 15, 2018, 9:40 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Marriott & SPG Plat, HH Diamond, Accor Plat, ex-Fairmont Plat, ex-Swissotel Eleva
Posts: 710
I am undecided between Westin Tokyo and Prince Sakura Tower. Which is better for Plat? The price for my dates are quite similar (Prince more expensive by 1000 yen only so minimal difference), so I am not sure which to choose from (I have stayed at Westin previously, but not at Prince Sakura Tower - and Westin was fine).
Anyone here can help with views? Westin or Prince Sakura Tower?
Anyone here can help with views? Westin or Prince Sakura Tower?
May 15, 2018, 11:50 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,911
I am undecided between Westin Tokyo and Prince Sakura Tower. Which is better for Plat? The price for my dates are quite similar (Prince more expensive by 1000 yen only so minimal difference), so I am not sure which to choose from (I have stayed at Westin previously, but not at Prince Sakura Tower - and Westin was fine).
Anyone here can help with views? Westin or Prince Sakura Tower?
Anyone here can help with views? Westin or Prince Sakura Tower?
The views from the Sakura tower will generally be of the immediate area ( as it is a relatively low rise hotel for tokyo -12 floors) around Shinagawa. Some rooms will have partial views of the japanese garden area from above( very nice ) in the area between the various Prince hotels ( and very nice to walk through) and a view towards the JR Shinagawa station. Some rooms will have a practically straight on view of Tokyo Tower ( Middle size as it is a few kilometres away) but it does look beautiful at night ( on Saturday between 8 and 10pm the lower part of the tower changes from the traditional orange/white to a diamond veil. You will also see some of the other Prince hotels close by but none of the rooms windows were close to other buildings. When I was on the side opposite Tokyo tower i did not mind the view.
Cannot comment on the Westin as I do not know that area but you will probably not get a view like the Bay view at the Conrad Tokyo.
Regards
TBS
Last edited by The _Banking_Scot; May 15, 2018 at 4:05 pm
Jun 12, 2018, 7:09 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,548
Currently in house. Good location, 5 min walk from Shinagawa Station. Beautiful garden accessible from 2F. Not much of an upgrade in terms of room for a Platinum member -- I suppose they consider 10th floor is an upgrade. Room is quite large, well maintained, but dated.
Exec Lounge evening offerings are abysmal. Received a bowl of nicely presented fruits as an amenity. Wifi is horrible, especially for Japan at 2.48mbps download/0.38mbps upload.
Not a horrible stay so far, but I don't think I'd return.
Exec Lounge evening offerings are abysmal. Received a bowl of nicely presented fruits as an amenity. Wifi is horrible, especially for Japan at 2.48mbps download/0.38mbps upload.
Not a horrible stay so far, but I don't think I'd return.
Jun 29, 2018, 6:03 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Considering a 5 night stay here vs Marriott Tokyo as Marriott Gold. Both at 160,000 MR points. But Prince rate is about JPY40,000 per night whereas Marriott is 19,000 per night. So intuition tells me I should go for the one with “higher” cash price. Any thoughts which is better in terms of lounge and breakfast?