Tokyo Restaurant/Hotel
 

We booked a week for the second half of our honeymoon at the Four Seasons Chinzan-So in April of next year. Firstly - is this too removed from action of the city or is it accessible? I read that taxi rides can be 25 minutes to get back from downtown. In the same price range we could book the Imperial - is that better? Looking for something pretty upscale since this is the half of honeymoon that we are splurging a bit on rooms. Restaurants - any must-dos? I know I want at least one with a great city view, and have heard a few suggestions for the New York Grill on top of Intercontinental (I think). Thanks!

The New York Grill is on top of the Hyatt.WE had an overpriced,disaappointing meal ,the only mediocre meal we had in Tokyo.Go there for cocktails.The Four Seasons is lovely, but inconvenient.There is a better located Four Seasons in Maronouchi.I think a Peninsula hotel recently opened right near the Imperial Palace.We stay at the Seiyo Ginza and will do so again.It has only about 80 rooms.Service is excellent and it is convenient to everything.Have a great honeymoon stay in Tokyo.

Have you considered the brand new Ritz-Carlton? It just opened last month, and has a fantastic location right in Roppongi, and incredible views from the hotel (lobby is on the 45th floor and rooms go up from there), so you may not need to splurge on "view" restaurants (room service on a honeymoon would work for me....). Rooms are brand new, quite large and very nice. It is just minutes' walk from the Roponggi station, and then of course all the shops, restaurants, etc of Roppongi. The newish art museum is also around the corner the street. Rates appear to be in the same ranges as the Four Seasons.

Imperial has a nice location, I don't really know much about the Four Seasons Chianzan-so, but would agree that it is a little bit out of the action.

We just stayed at the new Peninsula Hotel, and I can't imagine a lovelier place for a honeymoon. The rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed. We had a view of the Imperial gardens. Sigh. The bathroom is luxurious, with a huge tub, mood lighting, spa music...They have a lovely indoor pool and a small-ish gym. We did not use their spa services (the price was just too daunting), but as everything else in the hotel was top of the line, I'm sure the spa is, too. There is a beautiful bar and restaurant on the 24th floor. Their concierge staff was superb, so I'd be comfortable with any restaurants they recommended.

Well you have convinced me to change locations to Peninsula :) I love four seasons hotels generally, but am afraid we will end up paying a ton in cabs or be inconvenienced to take a hotel shuttle to the subway. It was only 40 USD a night more, so definitely worth it. We have a city view, but put in the notes that we are a honeymoon couple so am crossing my fingers for possible upgrade!

Hi

I'm not sure I can answer your question. But my wife and I went to Tokyo a couple of years back and I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_tokyo.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there to start with :d

I assume that you are from NYC (due to you nick)...my wife and I are going there in the end of November on Christmas shopping...hopefully the dollar will stay weak :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Hi Gard- I actually created this name when I lived there for a few years...I am actually in Geneva Switzerland now. I am american though, and have tons of friends still in NY, so if you need any travel suggestions let me know. And my guess is your plans for the dollar being weak will continue, dont worry :)

Wow Gard your trip report is very cool. It will definitely be one of our travel guides :) Thanks again.

As others pointed out, FS/Chinzanso is quite inconvenient. The traffic sometimes is heavy, meaning JPY3500-4000 per ride to ginza area.

As much as the location is convenient, I wasn't impressed with Imperial. The rooms are bigg-ish, but the interior and bathrooms are definitely overdue for renovation. Their lobby is always crowded groups (group tour?) of middle-aged ladies talking loudly. I won't choose it for honeymoon.

As for restaurants, any food preference?

W9 - We have booked a room at the Peninsula instead of Imperial. It got pretty great reviews so should be cool and well located. As for food, I do want a great sushi restuarant. I was also recommended to try a hibachi style restaurant at the top of intercontinental ANA. (which is another hotel that has great rates right now, but tripadvisor reviews weren't so hot). Also I heard of a restaurant where you catch your own fish in Roppongi area? Basically we will eat anything! We live in Switzerland so would like to avoid anything easy to get here.

There are some fantastic restaurants on the 47th thru 52nd floors of the Sumitomo building in Shinjuku, Italian, Chinese, Sushi bars, French, etc. Fantastic views up there of Tokyo at night.

For something unique you might want to try Ukai Toriyama

http://www.tokyo.to/ukai-toriyama/index.html

Aloha!

Rachel, I'm not trying to promote my own report, but you might look at my Tokyo report about a wonderful restaurant (Grouchy Old Man Report). And, coincidentally I mention it as a place for a romantic meal.

Great restaurant link from hawaiiantraveller...definitely will look into that place. im sure we would appreciate an evening out of the main part of the city.

Could not find the Grouchy Old Man Report?? Definitely would be curious to read - thanks very much!

Rachel, Its in the Japan and China sections. You'll recognize it when you see it. Larry