Tokyo Hiltons - seeking advice

[kermatu]

Hi everyone - I will be in Tokyo in early February just for 2 to 3 days. Will have little free time and suspect when not engaged will just be holed up in the hotel working. Keen to stay in a Hilton (Hyatt also viable) but am struggling to think of best option. Location-wise either the Hilton Tokyo or the Conrad are best, though Odaiba not too bad either, for where I need to be for work.

Seems from reviews and reports that the Conrad is an outstanding hotel. BUT, it is significantly more expensive and importantly, the exec lounge does not seem that good (small, limited food through the day etc). Given I may well spend 12+ hours in the lounge this is pretty important. As is treatment of a Diamond member.

Can I call upon the wisdom and views of my fellow AFF-ers to give me some advice - I'm leaning toward the Hilton Tokyo because of price and lounge space / amenity but the Conrad also sounds very appealing. Grateful for any comments and views, particularly with recent experiences, or comments regarding Tokyo in February.

Thanks.

 

[boomy]

I'm huge fan of Conrad Tokyo but well aware of the exorbitant rates they sometimes charge so I guess it depends how much more you need to add.. I have to disagree about their lounge, maybe it's not big but much more elegant than Hilton with better F&B and better service. Never had issue finding available seat so if I had to choose according to the lounge I'd spend more time in, Conrad will again be my first choice.

Only stayed at Hilton Odaiba once but was impressed by their lounge, much nicer than Shinjuku which is an ordinary Hilton and would be my last choice.

 

[amaroo]

(Hyatt also viable)

Have stayed at the PH Tokyo and had the best time. Highly recommended.

 

[LadyC]

Have stayed at both the Park Hyatt and the Hilton Shinjuku. The Park Hyatt is much nicer but usually has a significantly higher price. The Hilton Shinjuku was perfectly acceptable. We had club access and the food was okay. Breakfast offering reasonable and day/evening offering okay but more hors d'oeuvre style. Haven't stayed at any other Hiltons so can't provide a comparison.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks all for views so far.

Boomy - can you comment on food / beverage available through the day in the Conrad? And do they look after diamonds well?

Cheers.

 

[kremin]

I have stayed at H Shinjuku and it is acceptable. Limited canapé selection in the evening but a great buffet brekkie is available in a reserved part of one of the main restaurants

1/2 hourly transfer bus to & from Shinjuku JR station walkable if you're keen.

I was upgraded to the exec floor as a lowly gold, so diamond should be odds on for a good upgrade

K

 

[boomy]

Boomy - can you comment on food / beverage available through the day in the Conrad? And do they look after diamonds well?

Cheers.

They serve individual canapé plate, similar to Westin lounges. Apart from that there is decent buffet selection. Wines are from all over world (German Riesling, French Chardonnay, Chilean Cab Sav , Australian shiraz). Most wines are Conrad Tokyo labeled, somewhat unique, haven't seen that in other Conrads. Spirits are good quality as well, Bombay Gin, Hennessy VSOP. Unfortunately no Sake or Umeshu but they do have Japanese single malt.

I think the service at this property is at the highest levels for all guests. As diamond I've so far been very lucky to always get upgraded to suite but it depends on availability. Another great feature is Japanese and western a-la-carte breakfast menu (on top of buffet).

 

[kermatu]

In the end the price differential for the rooms I would have wanted in the Hiltons wasn't too great - so have booked the Conrad. Hopefully will be worth it.

 

[Cynicor]

Conrad is very nice, lounge space can be an issue mainly on weekend evening coughtails, never had an issue otherwise. Most lounges don't have food throughout the day otherwise, appertaining from breakfast and afternoon tea of course.

I would go the Conrad every time, price dependant, unless I wanted to be in Shinjuku. Both locations are comparable from an ease of transportation POV.

 

[kermatu]

Just to report back I stayed at the Conrad. Have to say I was disappointed, mainly through a poor arrival experience.

Having contacted the hotel beforehand about early arrival (around 10am) I was assured just a few days out that a room would be ready. Checked a day before and there were plenty of rooms available for the night before my arrival through the duration of my stay. Turn up about 10:30, no room ready but the guest in my room had checked out so housekeeping will be in the room soon and won't be long. I asked at this point about an upgrade (no). Went to the lounge (temporarily located on floor 28 behind the front desk - comfortable but no view).

Two minutes later check-in agent came to see me and said "Housekeeping has just entered room, there's a maintenance issue, will take until 3pm to fix". No details. Too much of a coincidence to me that an issue could be diagnosed so accurately to the hotel's regular check-in time. I asked about alternative rooms, even if a slight downgrade. Promised they'd check, but of course no contact until 2:45pm when told my room (no upgrade, and on a lower floor) was ready. Plenty of other rooms were available on the website through this time.

I just sat in the lounge and got on with my work - which is what I'd have done anyway, though would have been nice to have had a shower first. I'm sure I was just fobbed off.

A small pastry and 2 bottles of water the only amenity. Typed card with zero personalisation also in the room.

Other than that the hotel was fine. Lounge staff were absolutely terrific. Breakfast in the temp lounge was good. Afternoon tea very good. Canapes just average to be honest, as I found their sample dishes from the restaurants to be bland and not at all exciting - which had the benefit of getting me out into the area beyond the station to get some decent food from the local restaurants.

Asked for 4pm checkout and was given 2pm. Got a lovely send-off from the lounge though (escorted down by the manager, and 2 others came running through the foyer to wish me at the elevators as they hadn't wished me as I left the lounge). Nice touch which at least left me with a smile on my face.

Should say I got a good rate in the end - changed from a flex rate to a 50% off suite rate about 10 days before my stay, which is not a bad time to pre-pay. Saved me about 30% of my expected rate.

I'd probably give it another go but only for a good rate.