The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection

The Japanese garden at the center of the hotel was the best part for me. It’s beautifully designed, with many cherry blossom trees and a great place to walk. The hotel also has a partnership with its sister properties, so you can visit their lounges. Each lounge has a different kind of food, which gives you a decent variety, though the food choices at each are limited. Breakfast in the restaurant was excellent with plenty of options, and we were satisfied with the in-room dining we tried once. The room was spacious and comfortable, though the design felt dated. Housekeeping did a great job cleaning twice daily, but didn’t refill the shower gel or shampoo after they ran out. Staff around the hotel were friendly, though some struggled to communicate in English. Check-in was quick, but staff didn’t proactively recognize my status. They did explain the hotel details clearly. Shinagawa Station is only a five-minute walk away, making Tokyo easy to explore, though the road up to the hotel is uphill. I wouldn’t recommend taking the train to or from the airport, since both the station and train get very crowded. It’s a solid hotel, but staff training could be better to improve the stay.

The location is great, very close to the train station, and the facilities feel new. The rooms are nicely renovated and well equipped. At check-in, though, the process wasn’t the best, and the front desk didn’t suggest any dining options inside or outside the hotel. They provide complimentary water, but other drinks are charged at checkout if you use them. Given what I was paying, that was disappointing. Refilling a few cans of Coke or beer can’t cost the hotel much. As a Marriott Gold Elite member, I also wasn’t offered an upgrade. I understand upgrades may often run out, but I’d have appreciated being told so I knew I was being treated fairly as a loyal customer.

The rooms are comfortable and the hotel itself is nice, but I will never stay here again. I’m a Marriott Ambassador Elite member, stay over 100 nights a year, and spend about 3,900,000¥ annually. I expect basic accommodations when I support a company at that level. I booked at one rate, then added two days at the end of my stay. They changed the rate for every single day, and the app didn’t tell me. If I hadn’t checked the reservation, I wouldn’t have known until checkout, even though I was staying two weeks. It added close to 11,000¥ per night to my room. I understand cultural sensitivity, but this is a Marriott hotel with many international visitors, for tourism and business. Tattoos mean you can’t use the sauna or hot tub, even though this isn’t a traditional Onsen, just a hotel hot tub. I used the sauna for about five minutes before another guest spoke to me rudely, then a woman yelled at me for reading my Kindle there. I went out to ask if reading was allowed, and staff said they didn’t know why those rules existed. I understand banning camera devices, but this was just a book with no camera capability. Their inability to adapt or support guests is frustrating, especially at this nightly rate. I strongly suggest another hotel. The Sheraton Miyako is nearby and is also a Marriott. I usually stay there and find their approach to guests very different. I tried somewhere else this time, and now I know the Sheraton is much better.

A stay here combines city access with a sense of calm. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection sits within walking distance of Shinagawa Station, with access to the Shinkansen and Haneda Airport. Yet it feels secluded, surrounded by a 20,000-square-meter Japanese garden with more than 200 cherry blossom trees and historic architectural features. The hotel connects via landscaped paths to nearby properties such as Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, creating a broader resort-like setting in central Tokyo with shared gardens and more amenities. The property blends modern hospitality with Japanese design sensibilities. Interiors by designer Ryu Kosaka use natural materials, open spaces, and views of the landscape. Rooms are spacious by Tokyo standards, with whirlpool baths and large windows overlooking seasonal greenery. There’s also a full-service spa, SPA THE SAKURA, a fitness center, an executive lounge, and several dining venues serving Japanese and Western food. The menu brings together international techniques and seasonal Japanese ingredients, in keeping with the hospitality approach of omotenashi. As part of the Autograph Collection, it has an individual character rather than a standardized luxury feel. To me, it’s a thoughtfully designed urban retreat where convenience, Japanese traditions, and contemporary luxury come together.