schriste

Glad you made it and enjoyed your stay. I answered one of your questions in the “old” thread about this hotel. I’m still not all that impressed with the hotel other than the great location. But I’m probably a bit biased now that I have stayed at some of the newer hotels in Japan like the Conrad Tokyo and the Hyatt Hakone.

c699534

you have PM...thanks in advance.

allset2travel

I PM'd you back.

c699534

Thanks again for this thread.

I hope I'm not burdening the forum with these questions, but the more knowledge I can gain prior to traveling, the more enjoyable the trip will be for the Missus and I!

(1) Is it easy to get to the hotel from NGO? I believe there is a Meitetsu (sp?) express train that goes from the airport, but I can't tell if it stops there at the hotel (Nagoya Station) or not. Is it easier to take a bus?

(2) We'll be using a JR Rail Pass. Can the Concierge staff acquire our train reservations for us? How far in advance?

(3) Any recommendations for food and drink in Nagoya or Kyoto? We like all kinds of food, sushi and sashimi included, so our options (and minds) are fairly open in that regard.

(4) From collective experiences, are Platinum Elites treated well here, award stays included?

Thanks again.

NWA-PLAT

Its fairly easy to get from the hotel to NGO. You have to exit the building the hotel is in and cross a small street to get to the building where the Meitetsu line runs. You can buy your ticket from a machine (they have English options). Reserved tickets are Y1,200. I think non-reserved are about Y800. Its a busy station with trains coming and going every 2 or 3 minutes on several platforms. The trains have doors that open on both sides so you can get on/off each from 2 platforms. Just make sure you get on one that is going to the airport. They have lighted signs above the platforms indicating where the next arriving train is going. I think green is to the airport. The train takes between about 25-35 minutes, depending on how many stops it makes on the way.

I have not taken the bus since the new airport opened. The bus to the old airport was very easy. You could get on/off either behind the hotel (on the street you need to cross to get to the Meitetsu line) or in front of the hotel near the Shinkansen tracks. Again, you buy your ticket from a machine.

I've been coming to this hotel since it opened and I was only Silver Elite. I get the same great treatment now that I am Platinum, but have access to the CL. Always been paid stays of 1-2 nights.

c699534

Appreciate the train info, NWA. Do you (or anyone else) remember how early the trains start running to the airport in the AM, or are they 24/7? We've got an early flight out the day we depart for home and wanted to make sure we didn't have to arrange alternate transportation.

Thanks in advance.

allset2travel

I will try to answer those that I can and leave the rest to others.
Re reservations for JR pass, do check with the staff in the Concierge Lounge. They have been very helpful in many ways. Besides, the JR station is in the same complex as the hotel, you don't have to go far to get it done in person.

As far as food, I tried out 2 restaurants on the 12th and 13th floors. They were very good. I enjoy shashimi and other exotic Japanese food. On these 2 floors, you should fine plenty of food choices. Best way to get there fro0m hotel is by taking the "express" elevators on the "observation deck", 15th floor, same as the hotel lobby. Other possibility is go over to the nearby department store (forgot name) and head for the food court and restaurant floor. Did not eat there, so no impression. But if it was like other Japanese departos, then their food would meet standard.

They do treat elites here very well. Since it is a huge hotel, it should have plenty of very high floor rooms available.

Oh, by the way, you should post similar questions in the Japan Forum to get more feedback. Particularly those non-related to the Marriott but about Japan in general.

For info re trains, I am sure you have been to:
http://www.japanrail.com/JR_hyperdia.html

AusEuroFlyer

This may be a strange question, but does the room interior still looks the same as the photos posted by the OP?
It looks almost identical to another Marriott I recently stayed at, and as someone who likes a bit of variety, I'm hope it would have changed by now.

Could someone who stayed there more recently confirm?

fmkgb

I checked out Tuesday. We had 2 twins (rather than a king) and room was not a corner, but yes, OP photos look very similar to our room on the 34th floor. Wet bar was identical but chair color was different, I believe.

I was not as thrilled as the OP with this property. Stayed one night at Marriott after 2 nights at Nagoya Hilton. I found the Hilton had a more Japanese feel although the furnishings were a bit run down. Hilton executive lounge very small but it never felt crowded. Hilton allowed breakfast in either the restaurant or the lounge (we tried each once) and most people probably used the restaurant thus lounge not crowded. Hilton nightly buffet small but much better quality, presentation of food than Marriott. Marriott had newer, classier decor but I will probably return to the Hilton rather than the Marriott on my next trip. I am tiring of the Marriott's pedestrian ways. Not sure if I'll keep my Marriott Platinum status--may move more nights to Hilton as I find their oversees executive lounges far superior to Marriott's.

allset2travel

You are right about the cross town Hilton re the lounge/restaurant for breakfast option. For me, I like the MR CL for its great view. I think the MR staff in the CL is exceptional and personal. The overall facilities of MR is a notch above the Hilton. Lastly, the convenience of being right at the train station is unbeatable.
I too have been switching some nights to Hilton since the annoucement of the notorious MR "Enhancement" program. On my upcoming trip to Nagoya, I will still stay at Associa.

NWA-PLAT

What time is the lounge closing these days? I'm back there again on Sunday.

allset2travel

I think it is still 10PM. Not 100% sure since I don't usually pay that much attention.
You are there by now. Sorry for the late post.
Perhaps you can post back ^

NWA-PLAT

The lounge is open until midnight. I just left it at 11:30 PM.

allset2travel

No kidding, that's fantastic

How was your stay? Different?

allset2travel

After about 18 months, I returned and stayed for 5 nights at this Marriott Associa.
Check-in in the exec lounge around 9:30pm (they do check-in up to 10pm, but otherwise the lounge is open until mid-night). Quick & efficient as I knew it from before.
Interestingly, the same manager who checked me in last time was there again. We both recognized each other by names! Pleasant check-in experience. Short paper work is being done while you are sitting down and sipping a nice cold drink!
Got an upgraded room facing the Nagoya castle, large and in the circular part of the building (last stay, I had a huge rectangular room looking over the east side rails of the station).
I must be biased somehow, I really like and enjoy this place. The service in the lounge is absolutely terrific. They know what you drink as soon as you step into the lounge. They make travel arrangement and give advice. Service with a smile! This is my top rated lounge in terms of service.
I shall return.