I stayed at Shangri-La Tokyo in 2021, which is located near Tokyo station.
What is Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo?
Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is one of the hotel brands operated by a Hong Kong-based hotel group in various countries, and is the only hotel in Japan.
https://www.shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/
Nearest station to Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo
The hotel is conveniently located near JR Tokyo Station, whether by train, bullet train, or subway.
The hotel is located on the Yaesu (八重洲) side. Please note that if you go out to the Marunouchi (丸の内) side, you will have to walk quite a bit.
Shortest way to get to the hotel from JR Tokyo Station
Although the hotel is located near Tokyo Station, it is surprisingly difficult to find after arriving at the station.
As you exit the Yaesu North Exit (八重洲北口) ticket gate of Tokyo Station, you will see Daimaru (大丸) in front of you. Go left along the wall of Daimaru, and you will see a small automatic door through which you can go outside.
As you exit there, you will see an office building (the main building of Marunouchi Trust Tower) in front of you. Enter there, walk out through the office lobby, and look back to the right to find the entrance to the hotel.
Review of the room
The room had an Imperial Garden View, so you can see all the way to the Imperial Palace. At the same time, the skyscrapers in front of Tokyo Station can be seen clearly. Even the cheapest deluxe room is 50m^2, which is more than enough space. The curtains can be opened and closed electrically with a switch on the pillow.
The black building in the middle is the Shin-Marunouchi Building, and the curved building on the lower right side is the Marunouchi Hotel.
Unlike Premier Rooms, which have a view bath, the bathroom is located in the middle of the room. However, if you open the blinds on the bathroom side, you can see the outside view through the room.
According to someone else's blog post, if you are unlucky in a Premier Room, you may be able to see the building next door from the view bath (apparently Premier Rooms have multiple orientations). On second thought, the Deluxe Room with Imperial Garden View, which allows you to specify your view, might be better as it has a definite view.
Nespresso and other amenities are also available. The in-room dining menu is not in paper (book) form, but must be viewed with a smart phone via a QR code on a card under the pillow.
There is also a large desk. The chair on the far side is leather, reclining, and on casters, so you can work comfortably in the hotel.
Opening the lid next to the desk, you will find two power outlets, a USB-A port (for charging), a LAN port, and an HDMI port. The bag contained a USB-A to USB-C conversion cable and a LAN cable.
The TV in the room can be oriented and supports HDMI external input (there is an HDMI port next to the desk); an HDMI cable can be brought to you if you call and ask the service center, so you can work on two screens in combination with your computer at hand.
Pool and Gym
Guests have free access to the pool and gym on the 29th floor.
The gym would have running machines and other major equipment. The pool offers a panoramic view of the outside, and there is a chair bed with a desk by the pool, and bath towels and water were set out from the beginning, making it comfortable to rest after a swim.
Swimsuits and swim caps are available for free at the pool. Goggles would have been available for rent in the past, but due to sanitary reasons caused by the corona situation, as of February 2021, they are not for rent but for purchase (2,200 yen including tax). The fee can be roomed. Also, only the pool (perhaps as a special response to the Corona situation) is on a timed reservation system.
There is a shower, sauna, and jet bath at the end of the locker room.
Breakfast and melon juice
Because of the Corona situation, breakfast is not served as a buffet, but as a set meal. It is located in the lobby lounge on the 28th floor.
I didn't know this until after I stayed at the hotel (lol), but it seems that Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is famous for its melon juice. You should definitely ask for it. You can drink one at breakfast or order it at in-room dining.
Breads, salads, etc. that were originally supposed to be served at the buffet. Since they come on a stand, I thought for a moment, "Is it afternoon tea in the early morning?
Eggs Benedict with the original 1894 recipe" designated as an egg dish.
This is what it looked like when I put everything on the plate (after I ate some of it, such as juice and bread…).
By the way, a normal breakfast order would have cost about 4,000 yen per person (I vaguely remember). If you book the hotel with "Virtuoso" or "Luxury Circle" plan via Classic Travel, you can enjoy the breakfast for free!
Virtuoso plan benefits when booking through Classic Travel
A travel site for affluent travelers such as Classic Travel allows you to book with the "virtuoso" plan, you can enjoy the fantastic perks without the need for a credit card such as Amex Platinum nor the status of Shangri-la Circle.
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100 USD Equivalent Hotel credit
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Despite all these luxurious perks, the price is not much different from the price on the hotel official website! Considering the perks, I think this is a much better deal than Expedia, Tripadvisor, etc.
Classic Travel will show plans other than virtuoso plan. Please note that you have to book a "Virtuoso" plan to get these benefits.
Summary
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, is located close to Tokyo Station and offers the best of luxury hotel living. This is recommended in these cases:
- You have business to attend to in the Tokyo Station area
- You want to enjoy the view of the Tokyo Station area
- You want to stay at the hotel and work on your computer in a luxurious environment.
Shangri-La Tokyo also offers a special package called "virtuoso" plan. Please consider booking this plan via Classic Travel.