Another question on Tokyo neighborhoods and hotels
 

Good morning,

My wife and I are planning our trip to Japan (first time) for the end of July, and trying to select a convenient hotel in Tokyo. Could someone please give me a feedback on the locations of the hotels listed below.

Hotel Gimmond Tokyo
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
New Takanawa Prince Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Intercontinental

(all taken from gotoday.com)

As I stated in my previous postings, we have a couple of English-speaking Tokyo maps, but have only a slight idea where these hotels are on the Tokyo map.

I want to underline that we’re not particularly interested in great amenities but rather great location – would like to be in the midst of night life, attractions, restaurants, etc.

Thank you much in advance.

On a first trip to Japan and you really aren't needing great amenities and as you say you want a great location, I would suggest you stay in Asakusa. We stayed for about a week in Shigetsu and our family had a great time basing our exploration of Tokyo from there. You are in the heart of Asakusa. Great place to be and stay.

Tsutomu

I've never stayed at any of these hotels, but I can tell you about the areas since I live here.

Hotel Gimmond Tokyo
Around the Tokyo/Nihombashi area. Mostly a business district, so you'll see lots of salarymen in suits. Not the most exciting area, but you'll be close to Ginza, which is a shopping area for a slightly older crowd.

Shinagawa Prince Hotel
New Takanawa Prince Hotel
These are both in the Shinagawa area. It's a busy train station with lots of restaurants and bars around, but not too chaotic. Lots of hotels with western tourists around here.

Keio Plaza Hotel Intercontinental
This is in the Shinjuku area with lots of bright lights and lots of neon. Very busy and crowded station, one of the busiest in the world. Lots of action, restaurants, bars, shopping. Late night area. If you like to be in the middle of the action, stay here. If massive crowds bother you, then don't. Easy access to Shibuya, Omotesando, Meiji Shrine.

Hope this helps.

voj125:
We stayed at the Keio Plaza Hotel in March and really had a great time. As Mealea said above Shinjuku is a very vibrant section of Tokyo to stay in. Restaurants large and small abound in this neighborhood while transportation anywhere on trains or subways are minutes away at the Shinjuku station. Above the train station are huge shopping complexes. If you have any specific questions please let me know but my vote would be for the Shinjuku area.
Aloha!

Thank you everybody.
So shall we pick Asakusa or Shinjuku for the hotel location? Which area in your opinion is more interesting and convenient to attractions?

Thank you again!!

I also stayed at the Keio Plaza and thought it was a terrific value for Tokyo. Rooms were very large for Japan, service was excellent and the location was incredibly convenient. And it was fun. I'm not young and tend to hate big commerical hotels and neon but for whatever reason I really enjoyed this hotel and area. And the price was terrific. Also there were lots of places one could eat or drink in literally every price range.

Everybody has their own opinions and favorites. We stayed in Asakusa and loved it. Plenty of attractions in the immediate area and a subway stop nearby.

Asakusa or Shinjuku? That's a difficult question. I think they're both interesting areas and you'll find plenty to do and keep you entertained. They're quite different areas in terms of the ambience. Asakusa and the eastern part of Tokyo is the "old" part with old mom and pop shops, tiny izakayas, and an old downtown feeling. Shinjuku and the west side of Tokyo is very much "new" Tokyo with the latest shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Asakusa is popular with foreign tourists, but foreigners who live here would probably not go there very much and instead hang out in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Omotesando, etc.

It really depends where you want to go sightseeing and what you plan to do while you're here. Personally, I'm not a big fan of Senjoji temple in Asakusa and find it pretty garish and touristy. (But some people do like it.) I much prefer the peaceful, scenic, and elegant Meiji shrine near Harajuku - not far from Shinjuku. For shopping at fashionable shops, to see the latest trends, to hang out in stylish bars and clubs - all of this would happen around Shinjuku-Shibuya-Harajuku-Aoyama, not really Asakusa.

If you want to see some of "old Tokyo" then I recommend strolling around the Nezu area one afternoon. It's an old residential area full of peaceful temples and is so much nicer than Asakusa, which I don't find particularly charming.

So, if you want an "old-world" atmosphere, stay in Asakusa. If you want a "new Tokyo" atmosphere and to be in a hive of activity and neon, stay in Shinjuku.

I highly recommend the Luxe City Guide Tokyo. It tells it how it really is and is so accurate, I think. Helps you stay away from a lot of the tourist tackiness and find what makes Tokyo really wonderful and exciting.

Hotel Gimmond - ?
Shinagawa - big station area but dull otherwise
TAkanawa - a little dull
Keio Plaza - definitely a cool interesting place

If you want "happening", then you want Shinjuku Prince Hotel, as an example (on the edge of red light district, and cheapest of major hotels in Shinjuku - that's where I'm staying. Call JTB for info) anywhere near Shinjuku station, or anywhere in Roppongi or Shibuya. make sure it is walking distance (max 5-10 minutes) from the train station or it probably isn't in the midst of excitement).

Thank you, thank you !!!