Shinagawa Prince Hotel

With four gleaming white buildings added at various stages (each with its own check-in), the Shinagawa Prince Hotel is the largest sleep factory in Japan. It's a virtual city within a city, with more than a dozen food and beverage outlets, a 10-screen cinema complex, a small aquarium with dolphin shows, a large sports center with nine indoor tennis courts, an 80-lane bowling center, an indoor golf practice center, a SEGA amusement/arcade-game center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fitness center. It caters to Japanese businessmen on weekdays and to students and family vacationers on weekends and holidays. Rooms vary widely depending on which building you select: The 17-story East Tower has only very small singles, at the cheapest rates; the 17-story North Tower has singles, twins, and doubles in a medium price range; the 39-story Main Tower features renovated rooms (mostly twins) with the ubiquitous brown color scheme, Internet access in most rooms, and duvet-covered beds (those on the highest floors have views of Tokyo Bay); the upscale Annex, with only doubles, has smart-looking rooms, Internet connections, and correspondingly high prices. Assuming you can find it, be sure to have a drink or meal at the 39th-floor Top of Shinagawa; its views of Tokyo Bay and the city are among the best in town. With its many diversions, this hotel is like a resort getaway, but is too big and busy for my taste.

Facilities: 13 restaurants, including a 24-hr. Internet cafe; bar; sports center (various fees charged: ¥1,050 for indoor pool, ¥1,100 for outdoor pool); children's day-care center; (fee: ¥2,000-¥2,500 for 1 hr.); cinema complex; aquarium.

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.

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