Firstly, this hotel has been in existence for just over 30 years, so someone must have known something about this location way back then for being one of the most iconic locales for the existing and future developments, particularly connected with cargo port businesses and beyond.
While it is the home to the popular Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba waterfront area, Tokyo Disney Resort, museums as well as many other activities and sightseeing, Tokyo Bay can be easily accessed by metro and rail and other means of transport and it does allow for convenient travel to and from popular cultural destinations, upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment districts like Ginza with just 2 metro stops away and Tokyo Station, affiliated business event venues, Shinagawa and even to Haneda airports.
We decided to arrive at the closest point to the hotel by JR rail and quickly found the complimentary hotel scheduled shuttle from the station as described by the Concierge prior to our arrival in Tokyo. The shuttle driver seemed totally disconnected from the guest experience, as he did not attempt to help us with our luggage nor greet us, but once we arrived at the hotel within a 5 minutes ride, he then offered his help. It was a rather strange experience of service and what we would be expecting especially from the InterContinental hotel service standard.
Given the short but not so positive hotel experience we had had up to this point with a disinterested approach, she was a breath of fresh air as she represented everything the brand should be about with her approach and hospitality rendered yet the club Manager himself pretty much ignored us, even though we were the only guests in the lounge upon check-in. We did find his approach rather odd for such a global brand standard of service yet during cocktail hour, he seemed more engaging, but only in a reserved and reluctant way.
Takagi san offered us some bubbles while processing the check-in formality, Montaudon French champagne was served during our stay which was rather delightful and at least something to look forward to during cocktail hour. With the paper work completed over check-in, we were opening the door to our room on the 17th floor and were immediately taken by the amazing views of Tokyo Bay across the Sumida River with the Rainbow Bridge right in the middle through the big window.
Our 42sqm Corner King Room reflected a design vocabulary of clean lines referencing modern waterfront architecture, soft colour palettes inspired by water and sky, expansive windows mirroring Tokyo’s obsession with a panoramic perspective and interior textures that softened the transition between the city and the bay, tastefully refurbished after its upgrade.
The moment you stepped into the room, the lined white classic king bed is positioned for you to be able to take in the bay views uninterrupted and with plenty of seating and a reasonable size work desk, from which you continue into the spacious bathroom with more panoramic bay views, not to mention a reasonably large walk-in shower with powerful jet-strong pressure and a sunken bath by the window to soak your tired muscles while enjoying the grand waterfront vista.
Despite the bathroom having the original tapware and marble which still looked to be in good condition, the premium bathroom amenities were also very much enjoy and added that luxury touch. It was evident that a soft refurbishment had been done to freshen up the (tired) room which still exists on their official website. It was a good job well done.
While the hotel has not much in the way of a recreational facilities, not even a swimming pool but at least a fitness centre, dining seems to be the best playground for in-house guests. The hotel has a number of options to dine in, which is helpful if you don’t fancy a night out that involves public transport. There are seven restaurants and bars and we started our first night with some cocktails in the Hudson Lounge & Bar, which is right in front of the entrance. It opened in 2020, featuring an eye-catching design and is one of the more attractive hotel bars we have had the pleasure of enjoying in a long time.
The sophisticated bar design anchor is the fireplace near the entrance and it traverses the old and new with signature lighting and Japanese silk wall panels, cozy sofa seating and library corner that offers an intimate atmospheric ambience, all of which no doubt does attract anyone’s attention that enters the hotel lobby area, ideal for pre or post dinner drinks.
The hotel also has MANHATTAN which encompasses Rainbow Bridge View Dining and Champagne Bar where you can enjoy New York Grill and contemporary dining along with the Manhattan Terrace - the only restaurant in the hotel with sweeping views of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge. La Provence (the French restaurant with traditional flavours from Southern France), Teppanyaki TAKUMI which we had the pleasure of dining in that we loved, Chef’s Live Kitchen - the international buffet experience, Italian Dining Zillion offering New York influenced cuisine and the New York Lounge for high tea and desserts.
Club Lounge access can really heighten expectations and elevate any hotel stay, so we had high expectations for this lounge experience. Nicolas Feuillatte is the other French champagne on offer during cocktail hour which was an elevated experience. The variety of some delicate bites - hot and cold hors d’oeuvres - was only just right, but the taste was not at any level we had come to expect from InterContinental Club Lounge experiences – the food not only tasted more like banquet quality or leftover from any buffet but also with quite poor presentation. It was a big hit and miss with flavours than a premium experience. At least the selection of the Art of Tea’s brand- a hand crafted tea brand in Los Angeles - was a joy to savour.
Service was quite switched on from Shreshta san – the attendant who looked after us each evening during our two nights of stay – and he was very accommodating and happy to engage in conversation. Disappointingly, breakfast in the Club Lounge did not even reach the heights of the cocktail hour experience and seemed to be a sad and sorry affair. We weren’t expecting something grand but instead got something akin to a budget version that looked more like a school canteen with limited selections, not to mention that the left-over like disorganized presentation. Even the bread was below any industrial standard, with no specialty breads and it all looked quite unappetizing and so empty due to such a small set-up.
We were shown a menu whereby you could choose from a Japanese or Western set breakfast and went for one of each and you were only allowed to order once and not a second helping was to be offered. The Japanese bento set was quite enjoyable, particularly the mackerel and the udon noodle and the Western ham, cheese and mushroom omelette was done properly. The two healthy booster juices were great, but the standard was industrial. Given that some other standards just didn’t seem to be evident – we have never come across any other luxury hotel lounge that does not allow all-you-can-eat concept - so if you crave a repeat it’s on your own account! Another peculiar act for Club Floor guests.
We went down to sample breakfast at Chef’s Live Kitchen on level 3 the following morning and while the selection was a lot more wide-ranging than the Club Lounge, the flavours also were not a standout and the service was not note-worthy, more like a zoo-matic experience. It was a messy experience as the buffet was not well looked after and staff look harried and had no time to look after guests properly. Another not so quite an InterContinental experience encountered.
Beside the amazing and most memorable evening dining in Teppanyaki TAKUMI, the two night staycation overall was a bit disappointing, due to the disoriented service, as we constantly found gaps, whether it be the lobby Concierge (the unwelcoming and sourish Lobby Service Concierge Assistant Manager especially, when they are committed to create a personalized travel experience with insider tips for you to discover a new side of Tokyo which they clearly failed to deliver), Club Lounge, breakfast in Chef’s Live Kitchen or MANHATTAN.
Tried & Tested:
Location: 4/5
Design & Decor: 3.5/5
Design & Decor: 3.5/5
Housekeeping: 4/5
Food & Beverage: 2.5/5
Service: 3/5
Value For Money: 3/5
Experience: 3/5
Food & Beverage: 2.5/5
Service: 3/5
Value For Money: 3/5
Experience: 3/5
Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.
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