| # | Author | Message |
1
| Gone4Good
Mon 3/10/2008 9:43p | After all these years I caught a break and made my first trip to TDL. Suffice it to say, I'm not wasting my money on WDW anymore.
I split my stay between the Hotel Mira Costa (The. Best. Disney. Hotel. Ever.) and the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay. The Sheraton was, as I expected, pretty much of a business hotel.
Has anyone else had an experience with the other "Offical" Hotels? And how is the Ambassador? It seems to be in a strange location. |
2
| leemac
Tue 3/11/2008 1:28a | I tend to stay in the Hilton Tokyo Bay with work when I'm at TDR - but only if I have early starts - my preferred hotel these days is the Conrad Tokyo. I am a diamond Hilton HHonors member so tend to get upgraded accommodation anyhow but I really like the Hilton - it is kinda quirky. The new rooms are very modern but the rest are fairly tired and worn but still comfortable. They have Japanese touches like the window shades. The food though is usually very good and the service is exceptional.
I haven't tried the Sheraton before although I am holding a reservation for that one for next month (although I suspect I'll revert back to the Hilton). It always seems a lot more hectic than the Hilton.
I love the Ambassador - beautiful interpretation on the Art Deco theme and it really has everything including great food, service and amenities. The location is the only downfall - a schlep through the hell that is Ikspiari to TDL or a back road walk for TDS. Neither is right. |
3
| Mr X
Tue 3/11/2008 5:34a | Lee, you've mentioned the Conrad a few times now...may I ask you what is so special about that place to you? And also, where is it located (I've honestly never heard of it except for LP, thus the curiosity).
I've got very limited experience with Japanese hotels, but just for the record I've stayed at the Brighton and the New Otani Makkuhari, so I'd be curious to learn why the Conrad is better/worse, or anyway why you feel it is so cool (ulterior motive, I'm always looking to recommend "the best" hotel to friends and family, and usually it ends up being the Urayasu Brighton all things considered). |
4
| leemac
Tue 3/11/2008 6:24a | I've found the Conrad brand to really be exceptional - it is effectively Hilton's take on the Four Seasons/Ritz-Carlton model and I find they really strike the right balance with hospitality, modernity and comfort. They aren't as stuffy as either the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton IMHO - I spent months hunkered down in the Conrad Hong Kong around HKDL's opening and it really was home away from home.
Conrad Tokyo only opened a few years back in the new Shiodome complex that is anchored by Dentsu and Panasonic. It is about the most tasteful modern hotel I've ever stayed in - think W without being over the top. Plus it has about the finest French restaurant I've ever eaten at in Asia - Gordon Ramsay's (he is an absolute master at the tasting menu). The view is also pretty astounding. It just all works - I tend to avoid Japanese hotels as I like Western service and hospitality and being a vegetarian I need to know that I can get food I like - asking for veggie in a Japanese hotel usually involves fish.
I'd definitely recommend it - quick and easy to Maihama too without the hassle of dealing with tourists. |
5
| Mr X
Tue 3/11/2008 6:59a | Thanks for the informal review, Lee. Much appreciated!
Sounds like a great place!
**asking for veggie in a Japanese hotel usually involves fish.**
This I can well imagine! As I truly hate fish (no allergy, just hate it), I often resort to saying "I'm allergic to fish) in an attempt to avoid seafood on my plate.
But once they took away one fish dish (at an izakaya, the opening menu which I'm sure you're well aware), only to kindly replace it with another dish with REALLY TEENY TINY FISH (I guess they figured I wouldn't notice lol).
It's pretty scary, if one were to really HAVE a fish allergy.
I think being a vegetarian in Japan must be very, very difficult! |
6
| Mr X
Tue 3/11/2008 7:02a | **I often resort to saying "I'm allergic to fish) in an attempt to avoid seafood on my plate.**
And even when I resort to screwy punctuation, it doesn't usually work! :p |
7
| leemac
Tue 3/11/2008 7:05a | ^^ It has definitely got easier over the years generally but TDR is an odd one - from one menu change to another the resort can go from having a veggie option on almost every menu to having nothing ('05 was particularly bad for some reason). I tend to snack a lot when I go to TDR as that is more veggie friendly than the full service places. I also don't find the food to be exceptional anywhere - nothing on the same scale as California Grill at WDW or Napa Rose at DLR.
You should take a look at the Conrad. That whole Shiodome development is actually pretty nice - although no Roppongi Hills.
And don't go dragging me into a certain other thread - I can feel my relationship with a certain poster being called upon. :-) |
8
| Mr X
Tue 3/11/2008 7:17a | Eh?
Not trying to drag anyone into anything, to be honest.
I'm actually more getting less involved at this point (I chimed in here just because I was curious about that hotel). If I brought up your name (?) I apologize.
Anyway, thanks much for the info! :)
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9
| leemac
Tue 3/11/2008 8:08a | <<Eh?
Not trying to drag anyone into anything, to be honest.>>
You mentioned in a certain other thread about the experience of one LP-er trying to arrange a meet at TDR with a former LP-er - I'm surprised no-one has mentioned my experiences with the same former LP-er. :-) |
10
| Gone4Good
Tue 3/11/2008 8:30a | Thank you for the responses. I've heard good things about the Conrad hotels in general, but my points are in Starwood. Funny how easily those dumb customer loyalty programs work. Also I find commuting to TDR, even though I know it's easy, is far closer to "real life" then I want when I'm on vacation.
I found the Sheraton to be a nice hotel. While I was staying the hotel hosted a huge sales conference. All those hundreds of young Japanese office workers running around in suits really gave the place an "office complex" feel. The advantages though include great views of Tokyo Bay or the parks and very easy access to Bayside Station (a two minute walk or a bus ride if it was raining).
It's funny that everyone brings up seafood as well. I too don't eat it, no real allergies; I just can't get it down. I found both parks food service to be varied and very good compared to Disneyland or WDW. The variety is so good that snacking is the best way to go just to enjoy all the different offerings. Although I wasn't quite up to attempting theme park Mexican food in Japan... The only "fine" dining experience was in the SS Columbia Dining Room. I found it to be equal to or better than domestic "full service" Disney in-park restaurants and the service many, many times beyond even the best "resort" Disney restaurant.
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