I normally hate large, chain hotels, but on our returning to Tokyo after a three week tour, we wanted to stay in a different part of the city and Trailfinders suggested the “Hilton.”:http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/japan/hilton-tokyo-TYOHITW/index.html?WT.mc_id=zELWAAA0AP1WW2PSH3Cluster4DGBrandx&WT.srch=1&utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=paidsearch&sitelink=2&sl=Tokyo_B.
It was a huge, modern hotel on 39 floors and at just after 5pm on a Friday, all 10 reception desks were busy but the queue was being managed well.
Our receptionist took a long time to deal with us bearing in mind he only wanted a signature but finally he offered an upgrade from our deluxe room to a deluxe suite. He explained how the recently refurbished suite was twice the size, had a separate loo and we’d be able to access the Executive Lounge. However, at £93 for two nights, we thought we’d spend the money on dinner.
Our deluxe room on the 37th floor was I noted from the lift, on the executive floor and on passing the Executive Lounge asked if we could use it. At first the answer was ‘yes’ and then having checked the IT system was told no. As I’d rather enjoyed using the lounge when upgraded at the “Hiroshima Sheraton”:http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/accommodation/163607-review-sheraton-hiroshima, I decided to go into bat arguing that if we were on the executive floor, surely it must entitle us to lounge access. He either realised I was not to be deterred or wasn’t able to provide an explanation in English so he relented.
But firstly, back to our room, which was large and as expected from being so high, had excellent city views. There was everything we needed: 6ft double bed, huge TV, stocked mini bar, white pyjamas, robes, slippers, desk, water, tea and coffee facilities, easy chairs and magazines. The bathroom was less luxurious with a normal size bath with shower over it, loo and single sink. But there were plenty of mirrors and good quality toiletries.
We went back to the lounge for 6pm when the full bar opened and as we were early we got a window seat. There was everything you could possibly want to drink including champagne. The selection of nibbles was also extensive and included cheese and biscuits, crudités and dips, canapés, mini shepherds pie in ramekins and steamed prawn balls. We decided to make a night of it and skip dinner. Consequently I was in bed at 8.30pm listening to a podcast of The Archers. I’m slightly ashamed to say we did the same the following night!
On our final day we had a coffee and glass of wine in the public bar and paid a whopping ¥3280 (£21) so I was really pleased I’d argued my case.
We had a choice of location for breakfast: continental in the lounge or full breakfast in the main lobby restaurant. However, whilst we were there they were trialling the full breakfast in a dedicated executive restaurant which was much quieter. There was a huge selection of Japanese items as well as bacon, sausages and eggs cooked to taste by two chefs. In fact there was everything you could want: excellent pastries and muffins, smoothies, pancakes, juices etc.
As you’d expect from such a hotel, there was a spa, tennis court, gym and swimming pool – none of which we used. They also provided a shuttle bus to the station.
