ALL expansion in Japan

[elanshin]

Old news but I don't think it's posted here.

ALL is going to be operating and taking over a bunch of Daiwa hotels all over Japan. Most will be rebranded and renovated as Mercure or Grand Mercure.

There's also a bunch of new hotels being added to ALL so Japan's offering will increase by a bit.

https://press.accor.com/accor-accelerates-in-japan-with-agreement-to-operate-23-properties/?lang=en

I was reminded of this when my friend is going to have a break in Feb / Mar when her hotel goes under this change.

 

[sudoer]

a bunch of Daiwa hotels

Many have very mediocre reviews from when I looked on the day of the announcement. I hope they're getting some sort renovation, but am sceptical...

 

[elanshin]

Many have very mediocre reviews from when I looked on the day of the announcement. I hope they're getting some sort renovation, but am sceptical...

My friend says her's is getting a renovation but there won't be as much money thrown at theirs compared to some that are becoming grand Mercure (as her's is in this weird area in Nara).

I also showed her the pictures of her hotel in the ALL app now and her response was "wow they really know how to make my grimy hotel look good".

So I imagine there's some level of refurbishment but I also don't expect brand new rooms.

Daiwa from what I looked at seemed ok but on the pricier and a bit older side compared to some of the other JP chains in the same tier.

 

[TripTrap]

Many have very mediocre reviews from when I looked on the day of the announcement. I hope they're getting some sort renovation, but am sceptical...

Don't know where you looked but my experience is that hotels in Japan are rated lower in general. A good hotel stay gets three to four stars on google. To get five stars it has to be exceptional. In Australia in Europe you give five stars if there isn't much to complain about, e.g. friendly staff, clean room, 5 stars. No experience with daiwa though.

 

[elanshin]

Don't know where you looked but my experience is that hotels in Japan are rated lower in general. A good hotel stay gets three to four stars on google. To get five stars it has to be exceptional. In Australia in Europe you give five stars if there isn't much to complain about, e.g. friendly staff, clean room, 5 stars. No experience with daiwa though.

That's most things with rating in Japan. It basically feels like they use the whole scale rather than 3-5 (or 1) with us here. A 3.5 star restaurant in Japan is actually very good. 4.5 + is exceptional.

 

[jase05]

Would be nice if Accor would build a few more upmarket properties. Far too many low to mid tier properties and not enough on the higher scale.

 

[elanshin]

Would be nice if Accor would build a few more upmarket properties. Far too many low to mid tier properties and not enough on the higher scale.

I think they struggle to find space for it. After all the good land is already taken up. It'd feel a bit silly to build a Sofitel (or higher) if it's hard to get to in Tokyo or on the edges. Although I do think theres plenty in Odaiba.

Offtopic Hilton suite there is pretty good with their own rooftop gardens and $$$ views.

 

[sudoer]

I think they struggle to find space for it. After all the good land is already taken up. It'd feel a bit silly to build a Sofitel (or higher) if it's hard to get to in Tokyo or on the edges. Although I do think theres plenty in Odaiba.

There have been so many new high-end hotel openings in Tokyo over the last three years (including new builds) that I don't think you can really make that argument.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Many have very mediocre reviews from when I looked on the day of the announcement. I hope they're getting some sort renovation, but am sceptical...

Mediocre by whose standards? Japanese or Australian? Remember the Japanese have a high standard for their products and services. Whereas in Australian so long as the product doesn’t blow up in your face or the reception spit in your face, it will be rated well.

My friend says her's is getting a renovation but there won't be as much money thrown at theirs compared to some that are becoming grand Mercure (as her's is in this weird area in Nara).

I also showed her the pictures of her hotel in the ALL app now and her response was "wow they really know how to make my grimy hotel look good".

Japanese hotels aren’t as fancy as some hotels I have stayed at here in Australia for a similar price. However the amenities provided tend to be good.

That's most things with rating in Japan. It basically feels like they use the whole scale rather than 3-5 (or 1) with us here. A 3.5 star restaurant in Japan is actually very good. 4.5 + is exceptional.

As they should do. If you are rating anything please make use of the whole scale. When everyone rates something a 1 or a 5 very little information is given to the prospective customer.

 

[sudoer]

Mediocre by whose standards? Japanese or Australian? Remember the Japanese have a high standard for their products and services. Whereas in Australian so long as the product doesn’t blow up in your face or the reception spit in your face, it will be rated well.

By both domestic and international standards. Many of these properties were built during the bubble and don't appear to have had much further investment.

I'm well aware of the difference in standards. I've lived in Japan for 3 years coughulatively, speak the language (JLPT N2), am married to a Japanese person, and have made somewhere between 25 and 30 trips to the country. I am even typing this from SQ634 bound for HND.

 

[jase05]

Mercure Tokyo Ginza closing the doors on 31st August it seems

 

[Zanzaid]

Mercure Tokyo Ginza closing the doors on 31st August it seems

Saw that the other day, bit of a shame. Stayed there in February and it was a nice little hotel, decent location and price.

 

[sudoer]

Mercure Hibiya looks like a decent enough alternative - personally prefer Shinbashi for eating & drinking anyway