Mesm Tokyo vs. Conrad Tokyo
There are two great hotels located by Tokyo Bay that are bookable by points. Mesm Tokyo is an Autograph Collection hotel by Marriott while Conrad Tokyo is a Hilton property. They’re both situated between the Hamarikyu Gardens with both hotels literally facing each other. It’s a Marriott and Hilton showdown, with a Japanese twist so to speak. Who will win the staredown? I’ll break down the main keys of both hotels and say what I think is the better hotel after staying 2 and 3 nights at the Mesm and Conrad respectively.
Cost
Mesm Tokyo is Marriott’s Category 7 hotel, which means that the max you could pay for this hotel is 98,000 Marriott points per night, though typically the highest I’ve seen in 92,000. It’s a safe bet for an 85k Free Night Certificate redemption from Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, plus points in some cases.
Conrad Tokyo typically charges 95,000 Hilton points per night for their standard rooms. It’s also eligible for Hilton Free Night Award redemption. Conrad Tokyo has the edge when it comes to value per point redemption since it’s harder to earn Marriott points compared to Hilton points. Both properties are potentially charged similar amount of points.
Cash prices for both hotels are also quite similar. But, only Conrad Tokyo participate in Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, so you can get extra benefits from your stay thanks to the Amex Platinum Card. While it’s possible to book cash rate with Marriott Luminous for Mesm Tokyo, the benefits aren’t as meaningful as Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, or even Hilton Impresario, Hilton’s version of Marriott STARS/Luminous.
Rooms
You’ll find both hotels to provide spacious rooms for Japanese standards. Room size is a bit bigger in Conrad Tokyo, but the Mesm have plenty of rooms with private balconies with killer bay view that you can potentially get upgraded to as Platinum Elite or above. Mesm’s private balconies really sets it apart from the hotel’s competition.
Mesm Tokyo’s rooms are more modern and equipped with electronic pads to control room settings just like in Conrad Osaka.
Mesm Tokyo also provides complimentary minibar that’s replenished daily and delicious in-house coffee that’s a really nice change from Nespresso pods served in a typical western chain luxury hotel, including the Conrad Tokyo.
Conrad Tokyo’s rooms have a more cookie-cutter feel, and is somewhat showing its age. It’s still nice, but not as nice as Mesm Tokyo in my opinion.
Lounge Access
Of the two hotels, only Conrad Tokyo offers lounge access for Hilton Diamond members, or Hilton Gold if they’re upgraded to an Executive Room. Mesm Tokyo has a private club instead that sadly no elite members can get into, unless they’re Ambassador Elite or pay a surcharge to get in. Despite having no lounge access in Mesm Tokyo, I find lounge access to have very little value in a vibrant city like Tokyo, thus it’s not a huge loss for the Mesm. But, if you do need lounge access for whatever reason, then the Conrad is the way to go.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served at Chef’s Theatre and Cerise for Mesm Tokyo and Conrad Tokyo respectively. The Chef’s Theatre at Mesm Tokyo is complemented with a complete view of the Hamarikyu Gardens, while Conrad Tokyo’s Cerise’s view are just business buildings near the property.
In terms of the food, I find the Mesm’s breakfast to be slightly better. Mesm’s breakfast have some fun twist with their Five Senses drinks. Plus, their in-house coffee is the same as the one served in the room, and they’re fantastic.
Conrad Tokyo’s breakfast felt like a standard luxury hotel buffet breakfast, and it gets crowded fast compared to the Mesm from my experience.
Fitness Facilities
Out of the two hotels, the Conrad offers complete fitness facilities that include a gym and swimming pool with jacuzzi as a plus. Mesm Tokyo only has a small gym with no pool whatsoever. If you’d like a pool, then definitely go to the Conrad. Either hotels would be fine if you just need a gym to get some workout in.
Conclusion
I find the Mesm Tokyo to be the more pleasant hotel than Conrad Tokyo. The Mesm’s rooms are more modern and have their own unique character while offering a potential private balcony with complimentary minibar for all rooms. The Mesm is coincidentally one of my favorite Marriott hotels in Tokyo.
While Conrad Tokyo offers a lounge and a pool, those amenities may provide little value especially for a city visit like Tokyo. It’s also the older hotel of the two. Award redemption wise, Conrad Tokyo is “cheaper” in a sense as it’s easier to earn Hilton points than Marriott points. But, if you have the same amount of Hilton points to redeem for Conrad Tokyo, then you may want to consider Conrad Osaka instead if you’re visiting also Osaka.