Tokyo: Where to stay?
 

We will be in Tokyo in July for 4 nights and 5 days. We are considering three hotels: The Park Hotel in Shidome prefecture, The Century Southern Tower in the Shibuya area, and Hotel Niwa in Chiyoda area.

A central location, from which to most easily get around Tokyo, is a main priority. We would appreciate feedback from anyone who has stayed at any of these hotels as well as other suggestions and recommendations. What are the differences in the three hotels and areas in which they are located?

We stayed in the Park Hotel and thought it was a very good option. Central, close to Tsukiji, great Japanese breakfast, modern rooms, etc. Have a great trip!

We stayed at The Century Southern Tower on arrival (and chose a different hotel in Asakusa for the nights before departure).

We really appreciated the location right next to Shinjuku station and found it very convenient. Food options RIGHT next to the hotel are limited to international chains or Italian trattorias in the main part but walk just 10 minutes and you'll find plenty. The views were amazing from the rooms as the hotel starts on the 30-something floor of the building and upwards!

I have always been in hotels near the Shinagawa JR station and I have always found the location very practical.

We just booked The Century Southern Tower, so I am curious what others have to say. It gets good reviews and seems very reasonable (we're paying around $200/nt in Oct). There is a recent tripadvisor post that wasn't crazy about the area, but most others thought the location was good.

I'm not really answering your specific question, but I thought I'd throw this out there anyway...

I would absolutely recommend Tokyu Stay, Gotanda. There are Tokyu Stay hotels all over Tokyo, but I can only speak for the Gotanda location. In 2006 when I was there, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the area as being the most desireable, in terms of food, shops, & sights immediately surrounding the hotel, but the food and shop situation nearby has likely changed in the last 7 years.

We stayed there for one night at the end of our trip as we wanted to find someplace relatively inexpensive before our flight home the next day, but that would still be in Tokyo so we could get in a little last-minute sightseeing and also be convenient to get to the airport. After staying there, we said that if we ever get back to Japan, we will definitely stay there again and were sorry that we discovered it so late in our trip. The location was perfect in terms of accessibility to other areas. The entrance for Asakusa subway line was literally right outside the door and the JR Gotanda station on the JR Yamanote line was one block away (apparently the Tokyu Ikegami line was also very close, but we didn't see it). Because it's not one of the major stations, it was less confusing and less stressful to navigate.

The hotel was great! Lot of security - needs room card to access elevator. The room had everything - TV, small kitchenette (microwave, refrigerator, kitchen sink, utensils, tableware, limited cooking utensils (pots/pans), etc.), washer/dryer, and computer (although they may not provide the computer anymore in the room). The front desk staff were extremely nice and helpful. I had emailed them a quick note from Kyoto saying that we would be arriving quite late because we had missed our train. They had my email printed out and knew who we were when we finally checked in.

During our trip, we also stayed at Conrad Tokyo, Capsule Inn Akihabara, Hotel Granvia (Kyoto), a ryokan in Kyoto and Dotonbori Hotel (Osaka). So, you can see that we stayed in places of a variety of styles and class range. We liked the Tokyu Stay as much as the Conrad and the Granvia (high end), and in some respect, might actually have liked it more.

MFNYC, I have stayed twice at the Century Southern Tower, was very pleased both times and would gladly stay there again. Perhaps you obtained a rate which includes the buffet breakfast? I found it to be really good with lots of variety - if you have to pay for this in addition, it is a little on the expensive side I thought, but if you are the type of person to eat a fair amount in the morning, it would be probably worth it.

As I remember, there is no room service, bell hop, porters etc. which does not bother me in the least as I never use those services anyways. There is a small fridge (empty) in the room where you can stock up items which you can buy yourself. There is a small shop on premises (lobby level - 30 odd floors up), and tons within walking distance. Also there is a safe in the room.

Location is fantastic for access to Shinjuku, Meiji Ginju, Harajuku, Aoyama , etc. Fantastic views from the rooms. NEX is at your doorstep.

kanadajin

Thanks for the info Kanadajin. We don't have breakfast included. The price does include all taxes and was the best I could find. I had previously booked at $232, but it dropped so I cancelled and re-booked. If it drops again, I'll do the same. We don't plan on eating the breakfast there (maybe try it once), we'll just look for something locally.

Just another option for you.....

The Hyatt hotels of Japan are having a special rate at the time you are there in Japan with up to 50% off the second nights of your stay. If you are staying 4 nights then you would get two nights at 50% off at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo in Shinjuku. Their regular rates are around $230.00 or so per night so with the 50% off you would pay less or equal to the Century Southern but at a full service hotel in a much better room(and hotel)than at the Century Southern.

http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/specials/...y_HHJ_hppsa_en

Aloha!

Ohayou gozaimasu HT,

This indeed seems to be a pretty good deal, however the web site seems to indicate that this applies for stays up to July 31st 2013 on certain specific rooms (unless I am reading it wrong). It would really be great if it happens to be extended/already covers stays until the fall.

Mata ne!

Ohaiyo gozaimasu kanadajinsan,

Gomen nasai, Info is meant for the OP who will be there in July. I sometimes get confused in my old age ;)

For stays in the fall check out if MFNYC can use the Explore Japan pricing at 20% off with other perks thrown in at the Hyatt's if they are also planning a trip to Kyoto as well.

http://www.kyoto.regency.hyatt.com/e...offerId=100982

Aloha!

We are going to Kyoto, but already booked Ryokan Shimizu (we wanted a ryokan stay there)

I can get Hyatt Regenecy for just a bit more than the Century Southern. Is it that much better, both hotel and location? The Century actually ranks higher on tripadvisor.

Depends on what you want out of your hotel I guess would be the answer. The Hyatt Regency is my favorite hotel in Tokyo. Its not the most lux that we've been to but I love the location, neighborhood and transport available to a from it. The Century Southern is a business hotel located right next to Shinjuku Station and across from Takashimaya Times Square and to me that's the problem. Its smack dab in the middle of all the madness and adjacent to the biggest red light district of Tokyo.....Kabukicho.

The Hyatt has a free shuttle bus to and from Shinjuku station if you wish every 20 minutes or its just a 12 minute walk away.

The Hyatt is a full service hotel meaning check-in, porterage service, room service, travel agent,bars, 5-star restaurants, michelin chefs(there is a one-star in the hotel), great direct transport service to and from. Basically just more bang for your buck. The Century Southern may be a little cheaper and it should be because of what they lack. They lack all of the above. They will provide a nice clean room with absolutely no services. If no service is what you want then the Century Southern is the place. If you read the reviews on TA in favor of the CS most are defending the fact that no services are provided then boasting of the common things that they do provide like no one else in Tokyo provides what they do,it's hysterical,lol.

Aloha!

I am less concerned with hotel amenities as I am location. Location is key (in addition to clean, quiet and safe). The best deal with the Hyatt is prepaid with no cancellation, so I'd opt for the $20 or so more rate, that I can cancel.

If the Century location is like being in Times Square, than I am certainly not a fan.

Thanks for the info. It's back to the drawing board I guess.

We haven't been yet but are staying with friends this fall at the Citadines in Shinjuku. A little away from the crowds like the Hyatt yet within easy striking distance of everything and with a subway hole very close by to pop into and explore Tokyo.

http://www.citadines.com/en/japan/to...FSU6QgodCW4AFg

artnsoul, apologies for interrupting your thread. Maybe by topping so often someone will see that has stayed at the Park in Shiodome or Hotel Niwa in Chiyoda and comment.....gomen nasai

Aloha!

I also wanted to apologize to the OP for hyjacking the thread. In my case, I just realized I have lots of AMEX points that I can use for the Hyatt, plus the senior discount!

FWIW, just another point for thought MFNYC - while in Tokyo, are you planing to move around a fair amount by public transportation? or generally staying relatively close to Shinjuku?

For me, the fact that the CST is sitting literally on the Shinjuku station is a big, big plus (2 min walk - in fact one of the exits of this station is called Southern Terrace Exit). Several rail lines converge at this station (one of the busiest in the world, something ridiculous like 3 million persons a DAY) so access in that sense is a big drawing card (but that is for me).

As Ht rightly points out, it probably aims at more of a business clientele but it is certainly not spartan. I have not stayed at the Hyatt, and I have no doubt that it offers more services and it sounds more upscale, so it would be your call as to what you prefer and feel is more important. I do not think you would go wrong either way!

It has been a looooong time since I have been in NYC, and while I would probably agree with the statement that Shinjuku is the Manhattan of Tokyo, I am not so sure I would qualify the CST location as Times Square, to me they are both very different. And you do not have to worry about Kabukicho - it is on the other side of the rail lines and in fact I did not even realize it was there the first time I stayed at the CST. A seedy and unsafe neighbourhood it is not, after all this is Japan :)

I am not sure if I am confusing you even more, my apologies if I do, just trying to help with your choice - again either way I'm sure you will not go wrong!

Bottom line for me will be whether or not I use Amex points that I just realized I had and can use for the Hyatt. If I don't use the point, I'll stick with CST.

My favorite place to stay in Tokyo is the Grand Hyatt, in Roppongi Hills. It's a terrific hotel (a tad below the Park Hyatt in terms of service, but miles ahead of the Hyatt Regency), in the midst of a busy and upscale shopping and restaurant complex, and just about on top of two major subway lines. For most tourists, I find the Grand Hyatt's location to be much more convenient than either of the Shinjuku Hyatts. And if you're over 62, the senior rate at the Grand Hyatt is excellent.