Ilse S

Review of The Westin Hotel Tokyo

This is a high end hotel in the heart of an upscal...

This is a high end hotel in the heart of an upscale area of Tokyo. The decor is starting to get slightly, slightly dated but it s all done at such a high spec that you ll forgive the 1920s by way of the 1990s faux Art Deco feel.

And what a comfortable hotel it is. Easy to get to from Haneda Airport, with just one change on the train, or a fairly pricey cab ride. Rooms are a comfortable size, with excellent views over the surrounding area. The bar downstairs is a treat for anyone who is a fan of cool, quiet, marble topped bars with leather seats and a staggering selection of whisky. Perfect for reading a good book while you enjoy a well made drink. The cocktails are top notch and service is perfectly restrained.

Is the food good? Look, it s a hotel. You re going to get decent food but nothing that will knock your socks off. But you re in an area with some fantastic dining options nearby, from the ultra casual and relaxed to the high end and fancy. Plus a wide range of bars and izakaya for you to enjoy a drink and a snack at.

Located in a genteel area, with the wonderful Teien Art Museum and Institute for Nature Study nearby - two perfect places to go to for some green space in the heart of a busy area. Close enough to Ebisu Station to connect you to the Yamanote line easily, and a short cab ride from Shinagawa if you want to jump on a range of shinkansens to get out of town.

Pricey? Of course. The perfect place for people who want to go out and hit the Tokyo nightlife? Perhaps not, the Cerulean might be more your style if you want to drop big bucks on a fancy hotel in the heart of the bustle. But what the Westin lacks in nightlife availability, it makes up for with class and calm.