Conrad Tokyo Building

Review: Conrad Tokyo [Japan]

 

PositivesNegatives
Standard rooms are very spacious for a Japanese hotelSome parts of the hotel are showing their age
Beautiful Tokyo Bay and Hamarikyu Gardens viewsExecutive Lounge and breakfast at Cerise can get crowded easily
Great front desk serviceKazahana Teppanyaki was mediocre
Easy access to Shiodome Station

Overall Rating

 

After checking out of the Mesm Tokyo, I headed to the Conrad Tokyo one station away. There’s only two Conrads so far in Japan, with the other one being the Conrad Osaka. Since I raved about the Conrad Osaka, I was curious how the Conrad Tokyo would stack against it, even though it’s the older property of the two.

 

Conrad Tokyo- Booking

I booked a 3-night stay with the combination of 190,000 Hilton Honors points, plus a Free Night Certificate from the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card. You can expect to pay 95,000 Hilton points per night for the Conrad Tokyo, and it’s capped at that amount typically. Even though Hilton’s pricing model is dynamic, you won’t expect to pay more than 95k points per night as long as standard rooms awards are available.

 

Conrad Tokyo- Location

Conrad Tokyo is located in the Shiodome area where it’s adjacent to Ginza and Hamarikyu Gardens. The hotel is somewhat connected to Shiodome Station via a skywalk, so getting around Tokyo will be easy since Shiodome Station serves Oedo Line to get around the main parts of Tokyo while the Yurikamome Line serves the Odaiba/Bay part of Tokyo.

 

Conrad Tokyo- Check-in

Since I was able to get a 4pm late checkout on the previous Mesm stay, check-in into the Conrad was no problem. The entrance was a little unassuming, but I got off from the Shiodome Station, and took an escalator down from the skywalk. It’s hard to get lost since there’s a bunch of signs pointing to Conrad Tokyo’s entrance.

Conrad Tokyo Entrance
Conrad Tokyo Entrance

After passing through the entrance and the ground lobby foyer, you’ll need to take the elevator to go up to the reception desk. There are staffs to help escort you to it if you need guidance.

Conrad Tokyo Ground Floor Foyer
Conrad Tokyo Ground Floor Foyer

While the check-in line was busy, I was able to get to the receptionist with just a short wait. Picture below is when the lobby was much quieter.

I tried asking in the chat on the Hilton app for a possible suite upgrade, but the highest they’d grant me was the Executive King Bay View despite having suites still show up on the app. But, I managed to get a 1pm late checkout, which is probably as good as it gets even as Hilton Diamond.

Conrad Tokyo Reception Desks
Conrad Tokyo Reception Desks

Across the front desk is the hotel’s main bar and lounge TwentyEight. While I didn’t get to check it out much, there was live music at every evening I passed through the lobby. You could then enjoy a nice view of the bay by the candlelit tables.

Conrad Tokyo TwentyEight Bar & Lounge
Conrad Tokyo TwentyEight Bar & Lounge
Conrad Tokyo TwentyEight Bar & Lounge
Conrad Tokyo TwentyEight Bar & Lounge

 

Conrad Tokyo- Executive King Bay View Room

I was assigned to the 36th floor since Executive Rooms are positioned near the Executive Lounge at the 37th floor.

Conrad Tokyo Rooms Hallway
Conrad Tokyo Rooms Hallway

Unlike the Conrad Osaka, Executive Room size is the same as the standard Deluxe Rooms. But, it’s still a pretty good size at 48sqm, and mine comes with the Bay View which I’ll show later.

Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View Room
Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View Room

The room is filled with Japanese tree motifs from carpet to walls.

Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View Bed
Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View Bed

True to Conrad fashion, I was gifted the animal toys. The Conrads in Japan have their own bear and duck toys. In this case, I prefer Conrad Tokyo’s rubber ducky compared to Osaka. The bears are pretty similar except for the different color schemes.

Conrad Tokyo Duck & Bear
Conrad Tokyo Duck & Bear

By the bedside is a sizeable low table to put your things on. Lights and curtain controls are all by the bedside.

Conrad Tokyo Bedside Low Table
Conrad Tokyo Bedside Low Table
Conrad Tokyo Nightstand
Conrad Tokyo Nightstand

Living area comes with a comfortable chair with circular table. This is as big of a work desk you can get at this hotel.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Living Area
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Living Area

It also comes with a really big sofa that stretch from one end of the window to the other so  that you can enjoy the view of the Hamarikyu Gardens.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Sofa
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Sofa
Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View
Conrad Tokyo Executive King Bay View

Across the bed are the TV and pantry.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Room TV
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room TV

Nespresso machine, water, and tea are complimentary.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Pantry
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Pantry
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Pantry
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Pantry
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Minibar
Conrad Tokyo Executive Room Minibar
Conrad Tokyo Entrance Mirror
Conrad Tokyo Entrance Mirror

Next to the pantry is a leather luggage rack. I like that it’s solid with no gaps compared to most luggage racks I’ve come across.

Conrad Tokyo Luggage Rack
Conrad Tokyo Luggage Rack

Next to the luggage rack is a closet with an even bigger luggage storage space.

Conrad Tokyo Luggage Space
Conrad Tokyo Luggage Space

Then there’s the safe, slippers, and umbrella.

Conrad Tokyo Room Safe
Conrad Tokyo Room Safe
Conrad Tokyo Room Slippers & Umbrella
Conrad Tokyo Room Slippers & Umbrella

For evening turndown service, they’d provide the pajamas and turn on a soothing music played the in-room speakers.

Conrad Tokyo Pajamas
Conrad Tokyo Pajamas
Conrad Tokyo Evening Turndown TV
Conrad Tokyo Evening Turndown TV

 

Bathroom

Bathroom is tiled in black and equipped with double vanity sinks. Though it does feel a bit dated.

Conrad Tokyo Bathroom
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Sinks
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Sinks
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Amenities
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Amenities

It comes with an oversized tub with a see-through window to the room and the outside bay view.

Conrad Tokyo Bathroom
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Tub
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Tub
Conrad Tokyo Towels & Bathrobe
Conrad Tokyo Towels & Bathrobe

The blinder controls are inside the bathroom should you want privacy. Unlike, Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka

Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Blinder Controls
Conrad Tokyo Bathroom Blinder Controls

Shower is located right to the sink. To be honest, it kind of looked grimy and had a strange smell. But it went away after the first time using it.

Conrad Tokyo Shower Room
Conrad Tokyo Shower Room

The shower pressure was OK.

Conrad Tokyo Shower Room
Conrad Tokyo Shower Room
Conrad Tokyo Shower Room
Conrad Tokyo Shower Room

The toilet was an old school Japanese style with bidet.

Conrad Tokyo Toilet Room
Conrad Tokyo Toilet Room

 

Conrad Tokyo- Executive Lounge

The Executive Lounge is located on the 37th floor. As a Hilton Diamond, I was able to get access by default. Although Hilton Gold needs to get upgraded to an Executive Room for access.

The lounge is divided into two parts, with one facing the bay, and the other facing the skyscrapers of Shiodome. It’s an option to go to for breakfast, and it tends to be quieter than the restaurant Cerise on the lobby floor.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Seating
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Seating

I did have breakfast on one of those days, and I can order an item from a small a la carte menu. I chose to have a lobster omelet accompanied with a great view.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Lobster Omelet Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Lobster Omelet Breakfast

You can feel free to grab yourself some drinks like water, juice, tea, and coffee.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Coffee Machine
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Bay Side Coffee Machine

I checked out the city side in the evening, and lounge activity increased.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge City Side Seating
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge City Side Seating
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge City Side View
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge City Side View

Evening offerings include some lighter snacks and heavier bites like tacos. Though it didn’t really appeal to me when Tokyo eats await outside!

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Food
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Food
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Food
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Food

Alcoholic drinks are also offered in the lounge during the evening.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Alcoholic Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Alcoholic Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Japanese Alcoholic Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Japanese Alcoholic Drinks
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Liquors
Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge Liquors

 

Conrad Tokyo- Breakfast at Cerise

The main breakfast restaurant is at Cerise on the lobby floor. I only managed to eat here once because it was so crowded during some hours that I didn’t feel like waiting.

Conrad Tokyo Cerise Entrance
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Entrance
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Seating
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Seating

The spread is quite big, and I found that it was a little bit bigger than the Conrad Osaka. The breakfast spread is a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine.

Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast

They even have tacos, but I didn’t try it.

Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Taco
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Taco
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Pastries
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Pastries

You can also order an item from the a la carte menu. I chose the mango pancakes which were very delicious.

Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Mango Pancakes
Conrad Tokyo Cerise Breakfast Mango Pancakes

Good breakfast overall, but if it gets too crowded, I’d honestly just have breakfast at the lounge instead.

Conrad Tokyo- Lunch at Kazahana

I decided to have a teppanyaki lunch again after having an excellent one at the Conrad Osaka. Kazahana is Conrad Osaka’s Kura equivalent.

Just by being a Hilton Honors member, regardless of status, gets you 25% discount on dining at Hilton hotels in Japan, including in Kazahana, so I thought I might get decent value by having lunch here while also earning back Hilton points.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Entrance
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Entrance
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana

I happened to be the only one dining.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Teppanyaki Counter Seats
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Teppanyaki Counter Seats
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Teppanyaki Grill
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Teppanyaki Grill

I ordered the Ao Course which consists mainly of the Japanese Angus Beef and grilled vegetables. I ordered a Wakocha, which was an organic Japanese tea. It’s not included with the course, however.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Wakocha
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Wakocha

The chef then shows me the raw ingredients that are about to be cooked.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Japanese Black Beef
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Japanese Black Beef

First serving was a salad with an egg on top. It was decent.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Salad Appetizer
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Salad Appetizer

Then comes the corn soup, which I liked better.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Corn Soup
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Corn Soup
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Teppanyaki Chef
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Teppanyaki Chef

Before the beef, I was presented with the grilled vegetables paired with different condiments like salt, sauces, and wasabi.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Grilled Vegetables
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Grilled Vegetables

Then more veggies.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Salad
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Salad
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course

Then finally the beef, cooked medium rare. This was the moment when I felt like it’d only be worth it if it was wagyu. It tasted decent, but I expected more.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Beef
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Beef

I also ordered the garlic rice, which was good, but not as good as the one in Kura. Just like the one in Conrad Osaka, garlic rice have a premium added to the price.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Garlic Rice
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Garlic Rice

The eggplant soup shortly goes after finishing both the beef and rice.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Eggplant Soup
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Eggplant Soup

I then was moved to the main dining area for dessert. The total bill came out to be 9800 yen, which I felt was ok for what I got. I probably wouldn’t do it again, or maybe try a course that included wagyu instead. Though that comes at a steeper price.

Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Dessert
Conrad Tokyo Kazahana Ao Course Dessert

 

Conrad Tokyo- Fitness & Pool

Conrad Tokyo’s gym overlooks the pool and comes with variety of cardio and weight machines.

Conrad Tokyo Gym
Gym
Conrad Tokyo Gym
Gym
Conrad Tokyo Gym Refreshments
Gym Refreshments

By the locker room, you can find hot tubs along with shower stalls that are very similar to the ones you can find in a traditional onsen.

Conrad Tokyo Hot Tubs
Hot Tubs

The pool is not the most modern-looking, but it comes with a great view of Tokyo skyline.

Conrad Tokyo Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool

Tokyo Tower and Skytree can be seen at a distance.

Conrad Tokyo Swimming Pool View
Swimming Pool View

Swim cap use is mandatory for pools, and you can freely grab one by the pool to borrow.

Conrad Tokyo Swim Cap Free Rental
Swim Cap Free Rental

By the pool are the loungers.

Conrad Tokyo Swimming Pool Loungers
Swimming Pool Loungers

 

Conclusion

Conrad Tokyo is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a balance of peace and quiet, but also don’t want to be too far from action in Tokyo thanks to its beautiful bay-side location and walkability to Ginza. The rooms are clean, but there are hints of aging to it. It does not exude a classic luxury vibe like the Ritz-Carlton, however, which can be preferable to some people.

The service was marginally better than Conrad Osaka, with the front desk greeting me by my name whenever I met them, which is pretty great considering how busy this hotel can get.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>