The Westin Tokyo

This was our fourth stay at The Westin Tokyo, one of our favorite and most convenient places to stay. We love its classic old-world charm, which feels timeless and is getting harder to find. We'd hoped for early check-in because it was possible on our last visit. The hotel was extremely busy this time because the UK Prime Minister was visiting the area, so it wasn't available. The staff were still impeccable, handling things warmly and professionally and paying close attention to guests. We were a little confused that, as Bonvoy Platinum Elite members, we had to pay for lounge access because we'd booked two rooms. It didn't quite make sense to us. In January, when I visited Nice France, I reserved three rooms and they gave breakfast access to all the guests in those rooms. That confusion didn't spoil an otherwise wonderful stay.

We really enjoyed our stay. The rooms were in great shape, the views were gorgeous, and the service was phenomenal, just as you'd expect. A large grocery store and convenience stores are within five minutes, and the train station is about a seven-minute walk away.

The evening view of Tokyo Tower from the club lounge is gorgeous, and the lounge is the nicest part of the hotel to me. Some areas, including the lounge, look refreshed, but the rooms feel dated. It's an old hotel that seems stuck in the 1990s. The gym was disappointing too: it's small, poorly equipped, and has a very odd layout, which feels lacking for the Westin brand's focus on wellness. With Tokyo's extensive train network, I'm not sure why people choose a hotel that's a 10-minute walk from the nearest station. I suspect the guests are mostly Marriott Bonvoy members.

The rooms were clean, and housekeeping staff were polite and professional. Our second room, after we moved partway through the stay, was about 20% larger and had a much nicer, updated bathroom. A Tokyo Aunt told me that when the hotel first opened it was popular with Japanese celebrities, politicians, and the Tokyo elite, and was known for its buffets. She had visited The Westin for business meetings. The clientele now seems very different, perhaps 90% foreign. There appeared to be large groups on discounted package tours arriving by tour bus, and many guests seemed like people I'd expect at low-budget hotels in Las Vegas, Texas, or New Delhi. Several times, people pushed into the elevator before letting others out. In public areas, people talked loudly on their phones and watched videos without headphones. I also saw a woman pick her nose and wipe it on her jacket. About half the staff are foreign. Some barely speak Japanese and switch straight to English. Many can't write Japanese, which was apparent when they wrote our name in English instead of quickly writing it in kanji, eight letters versus two easy kanji. In the restaurants, staff sometimes rushed around with large trays of dirty dishes, cutting corners and making it feel like an obstacle course. Kids ran around the buffet area unsupervised. One morning I saw a child cough all over the bread section. The miso was extremely salty every day, barely edible. There are lots of places to stay in Tokyo, so choose wisely.