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How big are the rooms? They all seem quite small. I was contemplating on staying there later this month, but given I am travelling with my partner decided not to. If they are big enough to open two suitcases on the floor like Kimpton’s premium rooms I might switch.
How big are the rooms? They all seem quite small. I was contemplating on staying there later this month, but given I am travelling with my partner decided not to. If they are big enough to open two suitcases on the floor like Kimpton’s premium rooms I might switch.
Probably not quite big enough for that, at least not leaving any room to walk past them! But, close.
We are going to Japan this summer, just when everyone on here says you shouldn’t go but we’ve been in the summer before and still had fun.
A few hotel questions.
1) I can get the Hilton Shinjuku at quite a reasonable rate for two nights from Amex Hotel Collection with a $100 credit per room. If I elect to pay at the hotel, would I still get Gold benefits or will it be treated like a Expedia booking?
2) Has anyone stayed at The Kahala in Yokohama, by far the least Expensive of the Fine Hotels and Resort options. Alternatively is the Hyatt Regency Yokohama okay? We could stay there before travelling him and use points to get a club room or a suite.
3) Advanced level stuff, but has anyone stayed in Gunma. Specifically we want to visit Gunma Insect World which is near Kiryu. There are a couple of hotels there or we could stay in Takasagi for access to the Shinkansen, or Maebashi where there’s a Dormy Inn. Any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Summer is fine if you can tolerate the heat or have means to cool down (sea, pool, or going to the mountainous regions such as Gunma or north to Hokkaido).
On your point number one, it will depend on how Hilton Shinjuku is set up. I have not tried with Hilton hotels, but have received benefits at both IHG and Marriott hotels before whether paid in advance or on check out.
I stayed with a friend in Takasaki before, but he had the car and we drove around. If you have a car it doesn’t really matter where you base yourself. If not, you need to plan carefully local transport. While shinkansen will always be fine, local trains/buses may be scarce, especially in the summer. It can easily take 2-3 hours to get somewhere what would be less than an hour in the car. Sometimes it doesn’t even show on Google Maps in which as you need to do a deeper online search (also in Japanese).
Summer is fine if you can tolerate the heat or have means to cool down (sea, pool, or going to the mountainous regions such as Gunma or north to Hokkaido).
On your point number one, it will depend on how Hilton Shinjuku is set up. I have not tried with Hilton hotels, but have received benefits at both IHG and Marriott hotels before whether paid in advance or on check out.
I stayed with a friend in Takasaki before, but he had the car and we drove around. If you have a car it doesn’t really matter where you base yourself. If not, you need to plan carefully local transport. While shinkansen will always be fine, local trains/buses may be scarce, especially in the summer. It can easily take 2-3 hours to get somewhere what would be less than an hour in the car. Sometimes it doesn’t even show on Google Maps in which as you need to do a deeper online search (also in Japanese).
Thank you. I think we will hire a car in Gunma for the reasons you set out. And I pressed inappropriate content instead of quote which I did NOT mean to do. Apologies.
Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but seemed like the most appropriate place for this query. Have booked the ANA IC Tokyo using the AMB certificate, then another night on points. Total cost £480 + 60k points for 3 nights, end of May. Sensible or are we overpaying? We’re splitting our Tokyo stay so will do another 3 nights at the beginning of the trip somewhere else, probably in the Ginza area.
There is a reason why ANA IC Tokyo is so cheap. While the rooms have been renovated, they are quite small. Also for them if you book a premium room you will get a downgrade to classic room higher floor or one with a bath (4sqm less) as they have too many categories before the suite. It’s also by the book hotel, so unless you warn them in advance they will make you move rooms on points booking.
The area is also very dead next to US embassy. I’d honestly stay elsewhere.
There is a reason why ANA IC Tokyo is so cheap. While the rooms have been renovated, they are quite small. Also for them if you book a premium room you will get a downgrade to classic room higher floor or one with a bath (4sqm less) as they have too many categories before the suite. It’s also by the book hotel, so unless you warn them in advance they will make you move rooms on points booking.
The area is also very dead next to US embassy. I’d honestly stay elsewhere.
Thank you, is Tokyo Bay a better option then? Prices are similar, although judging by the photos TB also has quite a few rooms which haven’t been renovated.
You are even further away from anything interesting. I think IC The Strings is better if you really must go to IC. Otherwise, I’d avoid ICs in Tokyo.
I stayed at the IC Yokohama (Grand) last year, worked out to £100/night, whereas Tokyo ICs were £300+. Couldn’t really see much reason for the price difference other than location – but it’s only 45 minutes to Sinhjuku by direct train.
Was a reasonable trade off for us as we would have had to take the metro 15+ minutes most days even if staying in Tokyo, as our plans involved places quite far apart, plus had a few things to do nearer Yokohama.
Would have been even better value with a lounge pass but sadly did not have one. That stay was required to get to 40 nights for this year’s pass.
We spent a weekend last summer at the ANA IC and we loved it. We did the Ambassador free night and had two Mizu Suites. These are refurbished and really nice. No, it’s not the size of a room at The Peninsula and you don’t get a dressing room but it was a fraction of the price.
The club offering is the best I’ve experienced. Breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails and snacks. All served to you and in a beautiful space with views. We got an early check in and a late check out. There is an outdoor pool too.
It was actually quite convenient for places we wanted to visit. There are plenty of places to eat nearby too. I wouldn’t necessarily want to stay there without lounge access and if you didn’t have a refurbished room.
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