In the heart of Shiodome, Conrad Tokyo stands out as one of the best business hotels in Japan and that’s thanks to fantastic Hilton hospitality, spacious suites and fantastic bars and restaurants. James Wilkinson checks-in and catches up with Conrad Tokyo General Manager, Neil McInnes.
Neil, Conrad Tokyo is popular on so many levels, from the location to the club lounge, spa, rooms, and food and beverage on offer. Tell us about your favourite things at the property.
Conrad Tokyo is situated in the heart of Shiodome, offering amazing access to Tokyo’s prime destinations.
My favourite aspect of the property is the breathtaking view it offers. Positioned from the 28th to the 37th floor, the hotel provides sweeping views of the Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo Bay, and the dynamic city skyline. This panorama sets the perfect backdrop for our luxurious accommodations and facilities.
The combination of our prime location, just a five-minute walk from the monorail and subway, and the design of our executive lounge, spa, rooms, and dining options, creates a luxurious experience that is both convenient and indulgent.
Tell us about the stylish rooms and suites on offer, including the Club rooms.
At Conrad Tokyo, our rooms and suites are designed to offer a blend of comfort, luxury, and style. Each room provides a choice of stunning views, either of Tokyo Bay and Hamarikyu Gardens or the impressive city skyline.
Our executive rooms elevate this experience further, offering exclusive access to the executive lounge where guests can enjoy personalized services and additional amenities.
The design of our rooms is Japanese and modern, while also very spacious, starting from 48sqm, ensuring a relaxing environment that caters to both leisure and business travelers.
Tell us about the fantastic food and beverage offerings at Conrad Tokyo.
Conrad Tokyo takes pride in its culinary offerings, with a diverse range of world-class restaurants. At Collage, guests can savor innovative French cuisine, while China Blue offers traditional Chinese dishes with a modern twist. Kazahana presents an authentic Japanese dining experience with sushi, kaiseki, and teppan options.
Each restaurant is complemented by a selection of wines and sake curated by our renowned sommelier team. Our Afternoon Tea is also famous, featuring seasonal changes that has been very well received by our guests.
Recently, our notable bartender achieved 2nd place at the Hilton and Bacardi Pina Colada Competition, and we are delighted to serve this award-winning cocktail to our guests.
How important is the loyalty, particularly given the global popularity of Hilton Honors?
As part of the Hilton family, we place great emphasis on recognizing and rewarding our loyal members. Given Tokyo’s current popularity in inbound travel, the demand from our Hilton Honors members has never been higher.
We are committed to providing exceptional service and exclusive benefits to our members, ensuring they feel appreciated and well-cared for during their stay. The global popularity of Hilton Honors reflects the trust and satisfaction of our guests, and we strive to uphold this standard at Conrad Tokyo.
What are some of your favourite things to do in the local area?
The local area surrounding Conrad Tokyo is rich with attractions and activities. Just a short walk away is Ginza, renowned for its luxury shopping and Michelin-starred restaurants. For a more leisurely experience, guests can stroll through the nearby Hamarikyu Gardens.
The Tsukiji Fish Market, famous for its fresh seafood, is also within walking distance as well as the vibrant casual dining scene at Shimbashi. These local highlights offer a perfect blend of culture and cuisine, making the area around Conrad Tokyo very enjoyable.
What’s your x-factor at Conrad Tokyo?
The true x-factor at Conrad Tokyo is our exceptional team. Our staff is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for every guest, showcasing a remarkable level of flexibility and hospitality.
The commitment to personalized service and attention to detail ensures that each guest feels valued. This dedication, combined with our luxurious facilities and prime location, sets Conrad Tokyo apart as a top destination in Tokyo.
ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO TOKYO
ANA (All Nippon Airways) flies to Tokyo from across the globe, including New York, London, Sydney and more global gateways. The author recommends flying in ANA’s Business Class cabin, which features lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Each seat has direct access to the aisle, a spacious side table with a personal light, a large table that’s ideal for working and dining, storage space under the ottoman for a large item, plus a universal PC power port, USB port and an 18-inch touch-panel LCD wide-screen monitor with a fantastic selection of movies, TV shows and games.
Flights offer ANA’s WiFi service, which will soon become free for all travellers in the Business Class cabin, plus an expansive duty-free offering including premium Japanese Whisky and luxury goods.
Where ANA’s Business Class stands out is food, drinks and hospitality on offer. On the dining front, there is a choice of a western or Japanese meal set and the quality and taste is so impressive, you’ll already feel like you are dining in a top Tokyo restaurant while you’re in the air.
If you go for the Japanese option, you can expect some Zensai (including sushi and morsels), Kobachi (a salmon salad and simmered icefish) and Shusai (simmered beef in wild vegetables), alongside steamed rice, Miso soup and Japanese pickles.
On the Western front, there will be a selection of small appetisers (like citrus marinated shrimps and scallops), followed by a main dish (beef fillet steak with Madiera sauce or steamed golden bream).
Both meal options come with a delightful dessert offering, including strawberry mousse, cheese and fruits.
On the wine front, expect a fantastic selection of top drops from across the globe, spanning France to Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina, alongside a tasty selection of Sake and Shochu.
When it comes to an after-dinner tipple, incredibly, ANA offers the Hibiki Blender’s Choice from the House of Suntory of Japan (a $400 retail whisky) and it’s very, very hard to go past a dram of that.
The service on board ANA is well known as being called ‘five-star’ but that genuinely is what you can expect in the air and the hospitality is one of the many highlights onboard this impressive Business Class cabin that’s nothing short of five stars.
LOUNGING AROUND
Before you depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, stop by the ANA Lounge where you’ll find views over the airfield, seats for working and relaxing, plus a noodle bar, buffet (don’t skip past a Japanese curry), self-service drinks station (offering sake, shochu and other alcoholic beverages like beers from automated pourers) and a dining area.
For the best prices, get your tickets at https://www.ana.co.jp/