Too anonymous, too far from downtown and too isolated: review Marriott Tokyo

In my wandering around Tokyo I decided to stay the last night at the Marriott Tokyo. The reason was the proximity to Haneda Airport. Of course, I could have chosen one of the many other hotels in the Japanese capital, but in the end the desire to book the "flagship" hotel of the eponymous chain prevailed.

Reservation

I make no secret, of course, that one of the reasons had been the room rate. Too low to turn the other way, although I have to tell the truth: this distance is then paid for in cabs or time in the travel required to reach it.

It took 60k Bonvoy points to book a basic room. I preferred to spend 22k yen, an unheard of figure for a Marriott hotel in one of the most expensive cities on earth.

It's just too bad that the Bonvoy program does not provide for rollover nights: for its members I would have brought some useful nights for status renewal in 2023.

Location

The hotel is located in the vicinity of Shinagawa Station. It is the southern area of the city. Let's say. Could be categorized among the hotels near the airport. The biggest flaw is really the location, Not suitable for those who travel to Tokyo for tourism, or let's say to the classic Italian tourist.

Not only are we outside the most touristy areas of the city, which in some respects might also be a good thing, but Is just outside of everything.

The hotel is not connected to the subway, and it is not even possible to walk to it. For this, a free shuttle bus service is provided that runs all day long with a connection to Shinagawa Station from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It is certainly convenient if you are planning a road trip to Japan, has underground parking and avoids having to go into the center- But otherwise I would advise against it unless the rate is really a lot a lot lower than other facilities.

Check-in

The strange thing is that one enters directly into a lobby with very high ceilings and made of tubing: It looks more like an exhibition facility than a hotel. There is a restaurant and a small lounge in the center.

To check in you have to walk all the way through this area and into the actual facility. From the outside, the hotel looks much larger than the 230 rooms that are actually there.

In any case, the three banks for registration seems to me to be a little bit. Despite being Titanium Elite, the highest level before Ambassador status, I did not receive any room upgrades. The hotel was full, a crowd I did not notice either on arrival let alone at breakfast the next morning.

The only room option offered to me I politely declined it being the room on the 4th floor, a family room with two queen beds instead of the king mattress.

The room

I went up to my room on the 17th floor. The room is the usual room that is logical to expect from a Marriott: only much larger by Japanese standards, but being outside the center has its advantages.

The bed was a king plus, really huge. Great mattress but a really too thin topper. In addition to the bed a small sofa placed under the glass window, with a nightstand and a desk.

Of course present is the ever-present mega TV, which as usual I did not even turn on.

Welcome presence the coffee maker (Nespresso), kettle, and a moderately stocked mini-bar. It is amazing how on the mini-bar there is not a not say common, but at least group line.

Definitely old, however, is the bathroom.

Spacious and with a tablet that had a button panel that resembled the cockpit of a 747.

Shower inside a tub only with the shower head on the 60s arm. Really needs a refresh.

The best thing about the room the open view of the city. The hotel is not very high, but being located on a small hill gives a beautiful view of the whole southern part of the city, including the harbor.

The Haneda takeoff line is perfectly visible, and it is therefore possible to enjoy watching the planes take "off."

Executive Lounge

Guests in executive rooms, or with Platinum Elite status or higher, have access to the lounge that is open almost all day.

As I often repeat in my reviews, when I travel. I always try to use this benefit to save money, to have a quiet place to work, and to accumulate more points.

For being in the technology capital, the wi-fi was not performing at all.

Saving money because it means being able to get drinks at any time, even alcohol. And in case you don't want to go out there is often an aperitif that is worth a dinner.

Accumulate points because it means, in the case of the Bonvoy program that since there is lounge I can have free breakfast and also get the bonus points provided by the Marriott loyalty program.

The lounge at this Marriott has a nice view, too bad that, as in the room, the small terrace here is not accessible. I spent about an hour or so taking care of some work in between breakfast and afternoon snacks.

In the evening between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., there is a food appetizer and alcohol is served until 8 p.m., as mentioned excellent for saving money.

F&B&More

All services are concentrated on the ground floor. The pool is closed, I didn't understand whether forever or for covid.

There is a micro gymnasium, in a blind room and probably with no use other than for storage.

Then there is the restaurant that also serves as a breakfast room in the morning and a champagne bar in the evening. I only tried breakfast.

Breakfast is better than the Hilton's, but still disappointing.

Of course, the influence of certain Asian hotels is important here, but leaving out Thailand Singapore also had a much better offer.  The room is nice and bright thanks to the large windows, but everything is messy and you have to wander around looking for where the dishes are placed.

The only cue is the French Brulè offering, which is the cross (or perhaps it would be better to say the accident) between a French toast and a creme brulè. The rest is the classic buffet, with express egg cooking, which, however, if you order an egg Benedict comes to you cold, and a really unattractive Japanese corner.

In conclusion

At this price a Marriott in Tokyo is worth taking. Of course, if the stay lasts a long time the savings are lost in money for extra travel and dead time spent in the car.

Conversely, it is great as a last night pre-return or pre-departure from Haneda, or as a first stop in case you arrive late in the evening.

• Bonvoy

The verdict

If we were in school it would be a political 6. Of course I should have realized it was so out of the way, but it is also true that I did not expect it to be completely cut off from any possible transportation links. The room is big, the view is nice, but as said it is not suitable for the tourist who wants to visit Tokyo and I hope that thanks to this review no one will make the mistake of booking it. For my last night in Tokyo it was more than fine given the proximity to Haneda.

6

Pro

• The view
• The lounge

Against

• The position
• Breakfast
• No pool
• Really small gymnasium