Where to Stay - Tokyo - page 108

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panoramic views of either Tokyo Bay or the Ginza with its glittering night views. As with
most business hotels, rooms are mostly singles, with desks and love seats both placed
strategically at windows to take advantage of the hotel's best feature. Even bathrooms take
advantage of the views, with those in single rooms boasting windows that look out past
the bedroom toward the views beyond (thankfully, the glass can be switched from trans-
parent to opaque with the flip of a switch), while those in the most expensive double and
twin rooms have windows that let you gaze upon Tokyo right from the tub.
8-13-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061. & 03/3543-1131. Fax [phone]. www.gardenhotels.co.jp/
eng/ginza.html. 361units. ¥18,900-¥21,000 single; ¥25,200-¥34,650 double. Rates exclude hotel tax. AE,
DC, MC, V. Station: Shimbasi (5 min.) or Ginza (7 min). Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: A/C, TV, fridge,
hair dryer, high-speed Internet.
Park Hotel Tokyo Occupying the top 10 floors of the building it shares
with international media organizations, this hotel, well located downtown just a few
minutes' walk from the Ginza, emulates the high-priced Strings by InterContinental
Tokyo, but on a less grand, less expensive scale. Its lobby, on the 25th floor and decorated
with large trees and dark woods in a theme of “nature and health,” is bathed in the natu-
ral sunlight afforded by its 10-story atrium topped with an opaque ceiling. Complying
with the hotel theme, restaurants follow a natural-foods concept, using organic ingredi-
ents. The front desk is one of the most dramatic I've seen, backed by nothing but great
views of Tokyo Tower and the city. Rooms are simply decorated, with original art; they
also provide views, the best of which can be found on the 30th floor and above facing
Hama Rikyu Garden and Tokyo Bay or facing Tokyo Tower (and Mt. Fuji on clear win-
ter days). The hotel even has a trained “pillow fitter,” who can take your measurements
and provide one made to fit, at no extra cost.
Shiodome Media Tower, 1-7-1 Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7227. & 03/6252-1111. Fax
03/6252-1001. www.parkhoteltokyo.com. 273 units. ¥21,000 single; ¥26,250-¥37,800 double. Rates
exclude service charge and hotel tax. AE, DC, MC, V. Station: Shiodome (1 min.) or Shimbashi (8 min.).
Amenities: 3 restaurants; bar; lounge; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, high-speed Internet,
minibar.

5

ASAKUSA
Asakusa View Hotel This upper-bracket, modern hotel in the Asakusa area looks
out of place rising 28 stories above this famous district's older buildings. Still, it's a good
place to stay if you want to be in Tokyo's old downtown but don't want to sacrifice any
creature comforts. The midsize guest rooms are pleasant, with contemporary furnishings
and bay windows that let in plenty of sunshine (and smaller windows that can be opened,
a rarity in Tokyo). Rooms facing the front (east) have views over the famous Sensoji
Temple, but those on the top floor facing west have views of Mount Fuji on clear days
(mostly in winter).
Kokusai Dori, 3-17-1 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-8765. & 03/3847-1111. Fax [phone].
www.viewhotels.co.jp/asakusa. 337 units. ¥15,750-¥18,900 single; ¥31,500-¥34,650 double. Executive
floor from ¥33,600 double. Rates exclude service charge and hotel tax. AE, DC, MC, V. Station: Tawarama-
chi (8 min.) or Tsukuba Express Asakusa (1 min.). Amenities: 4 restaurants; 2 bars; lounge; executive-level
rooms; 20m indoor pool w/retractable roof (fee: ¥3,150); room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, high-
speed Internet, minibar.

Hotel Sunroute Asakusa Located on Kokusai Dori, this modern, pleasant business
hotel is a good choice for leisure travelers as well. Not only does it boast a good location
near the sightseeing attractions of Asakusa, but it is also classier than most business
hotels, with Miró reprints in the lobby and modern artwork in each guest room. Though