Advice on SPG stay in Tokyo, Japan
Jul 3, 2014, 9:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: coastal Croatia
Programs: BAEC Gold, M&M Senator
Posts: 2,180
My wife and I loved the Westin (this was a few years ago before it went up to category 6). Since we didn't have status, we emailed the hotel in advance, asking if we could use points on check-in for an upgrade to a club floor room. It was definitely worth it because we were able to eat breakfast in the main restaurant downstairs, so for 2500 points extra per night we got a nicer room on a higher floor, evening drinks, and an absolutely wonderful breakfast each morning. The location close to Ebisu station was fine for sightseeing.
Jul 4, 2014, 2:50 am
#17
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Jul 18, 2018, 9:01 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
Any updates on Tokyo Starwood properties? I am plat. Going with family including two teenagers.
Jul 18, 2018, 4:10 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
The only downside to the Westin is that the concierge desk is not very useful. They will attempt to steer to you the least authentic, most westernized, lowest-common-denominator version of whatever you enquire about. I’ve had far better experiences with the concierges at other high(ish)-end proprieties in Tokyo. This could be important to you depending on your interests, because many reservations in Tokyo are logistically difficult to impossible for non-Japanese speakers.
That said, the only other hotels I could recommend in Tokyo for your situation would be outside of the Starwood universe.
Jul 18, 2018, 4:17 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
The Ritz Carlton has very large rooms for Tokyo standards and can be booked by transferring SPG points to Marriott -- may be worth looking at, especially if you were going to try to stay all in one room. Both it and the Westin will cost slightly fewer points when the new award chart kicks in sometime in August (the Ritz will go back up Jan 1). The Prince Gallery is also fantastic and centrally located, and will be the same pricing as the Ritz, but it has fairly small rooms so would definitely want 2 rooms for the family.
Japanese hotels are very strict about number of guests staying in a room and are typically more vigilant than hotels elsewhere, so if you're not planning to book 2 rooms already, make sure you're confirmed for 4 people in the room or you may have issues at check-in.
Japanese hotels are very strict about number of guests staying in a room and are typically more vigilant than hotels elsewhere, so if you're not planning to book 2 rooms already, make sure you're confirmed for 4 people in the room or you may have issues at check-in.
Sep 19, 2018, 3:02 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 436
I’m leaning the Westin for an upcoming paid stay 10/10-10/16 as their points rooms are double beds and I only need a king for the wife and I.
would anyone have a direct email address to the hotel concierge and front desk for me to contact for some request?
many thanks
would anyone have a direct email address to the hotel concierge and front desk for me to contact for some request?
many thanks