Frommer's Review
Located across from the U.S. embassy and long considered one of Tokyo's most venerable hotels, the Okura is struggling to keep up with pricier -- and newer -- top-rated hotels in the city; it recently added a spa to increase its appeal. Still, it remains a favorite home-away-from-home of visiting U.S. dignitaries, and the service is gracious and impeccable. Rich decor elegantly combines ikebana and shoji screens with an old-fashioned Western spaciousness. The atmosphere is low-key, almost Zen-like, with none of the flashiness inherent in some younger hotels. All rooms are comfortable, with clean, crisp furnishings of maple and chrome. My favorite rooms are in the main building facing the garden; some on the fifth floor here have balconies overlooking the garden and pool. Other rooms have views of a rooftop garden or Tokyo Tower, while "Grand Comfort rooms" on the ninth and tenth floors offer free entrance to the spa. Tip: Although fees are charged for use of the health club and pools, hotel guests can use these facilities for free simply by becoming members of Okura Club International -- there's no charge for membership, which starts immediately upon filling out an application at the guest relations desk.
Facilities: 10 restaurants; 2 bars; nicely landscaped outdoor pool and health club (fee: ¥3,500/$29 to use everything; ¥2,000/$17 for indoor pool only); spa (fee: ¥12,600/$120); concierge; tour desk; comprehensive business center; shopping arcade; salon; barbershop; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service; nonsmoking rooms; free shuttle service to the nearest subways and Roppongi Hills (weekends only); tea-ceremony room; private museum showcasing Japanese art (free for hotel guests); pharmacy; in-house doctor and dentist; post office; packing and shipping service.
In room: A/C, satellite TV w/on-demand pay movies which doubles as a computer w/Internet access, high-speed dataport, minibar, hot-water pot w/tea, hair dryer, washlet toilet.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
