Unbelievable Shinagawa Luxury: Tobu Hotel Japan Reveals Its Secrets!
Unbelievable Shinagawa Luxury: Tobu Hotel Japan - Secrets… Exposed! (My Brain's a Bit Fuzzy, But Here's What I've Got)
Okay, folks, let's talk. We're talking Unbelievable Shinagawa Luxury: Tobu Hotel Japan. And honestly? My brain's still a little hazy from the trip. Jet lag, you know? But I took notes. Sort of. Okay, maybe more like scribbled frantic lines while frantically stuffing down some ramen at 3 am. But hey, I'm here to tell you… it was an experience. So, grab a coffee, and let's unpack this (or as much as I can remember…).
First off: Accessibility. This is huge for me. I'm a stickler for making sure spaces are actually usable for everyone. Tobu Hotel Shinagawa gets some things right, but it's not perfect. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, generally. Elevators? Yep. But the devil's in the details, right? I needed to ask for more detailed information before I booked, but overall, I think they did a pretty good job.
Accessibility is about more than just ramps and elevators. It's about feeling welcome. And that leads me to… On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Honestly, I didn't get a chance to dive deep into every single venue, but I'm pretty sure there’s accessible options. I do remember the sheer relief of collapsing in the lobby for a moment after a long flight.
Internet Access (or Lack Thereof, at Times!)
Okay, so we're talking the digital age. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Excellent! Internet [LAN]? Also, good. And there's Internet services. The reality? Well, sometimes it was a bit…spotty. I mean, I'm sure it was better than trying to use a dial-up modem cough cough circa 1998, but there were moments of frustration. Like when I desperately needed to update my Instagram stories with a picture of the stunning view (more on that later!). Wi-Fi in the public areas, thankfully, was pretty reliable. Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN were in the rooms, but sometimes the speeds felt like they belonged in the Stone Age.
Things to do, Ways to Relax… My Sanity-Saving Sanctuaries!
This is where Tobu Hotel Shinagawa really shines. Okay, so get this: a goddamn pool with a view! Seriously. I may or may not have spent an entire afternoon sprawled out on a sun lounger, staring at the Tokyo skyline, feeling like I’d finally arrived. Pure bliss. Pure. Bliss.
And then there's the Spa. They actually offer Spa/Sauna facilities (including a Sauna and Steamroom). I went for the Body Scrub and Massage, and let me tell you, after a long day of navigating train stations and eating too much street food (worth it), it was absolute heaven. My stiff neck and achy feet were transformed. They probably even offer a Body Wrap, but I didn't try it because, frankly, I was happy enough.
The Fitness center exists; I peeked in, but I'm not really a "gym" person on vacation. Foot bath? Didn’t find it. Gym/fitness again, nope. Swimming pool [outdoor] that's the one with the amazing view, yes. More Swimming pool, yes, but limited time I had.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because We're Living in a World, Folks!
Look, safety is a big deal these days. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Yep. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. Rooms sanitized between stays? Supposedly. Room sanitization opt-out available? Don't remember. First aid kit? Always a good sign. Hygiene certification? I assume so, but I didn't personally check their certificates. Safe dining setup? Seemed okay. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? I'm assuming if I'm at the restaurant I will be safe. Hot water linen and laundry washing? Seems normal. Shared stationery removed? Pretty standard now. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? They tried. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Probably. Sterilizing equipment? Again, likely yes.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach’s a Storybook!
Right, let's talk food. Because that's what really matters, isn't it? There's a whole host of options.
They have multiple Restaurants, including ones serving Asian cuisine and International cuisine. A la carte in restaurant: Plenty. Buffet in restaurant: Plenty. Breakfast [buffet]: Good. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast and other Breakfast service? all good. I'm a buffet person, obviously!
There's a Bar, a Poolside bar, and a Coffee shop. Coffee/tea in restaurant, Bottle of water? Standard. Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant all present. I indulged in a Happy hour or two, which was fun. Snack bar? Probably.
The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver at 3 am when my stomach decided it was lunchtime. The Vegetarian restaurant options were there, though I'm not much into vegetarian. Alternative meal arrangement? I'd assume so. Western cuisine in restaurant was alright.
Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Almost Everything!
Air conditioning in public area. Concierge very helpful. Currency exchange? Available. Daily housekeeping? Check. Doorman? Yes, very welcoming. Dry cleaning, Elevator are there. Facilities for disabled guests? As discussed, some. Food delivery too. Gift/souvenir shop? Of course. They had Luggage storage, a Meeting/banquet facilities for events, Meeting stationery, and Seminars. They even have a Shrine. Smoking area. Terrace. Things like Cash withdrawal, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Safety deposit boxes, Xerox/fax in business center are there. Contactless check-in/out, although it was actually fairly slow.
For the Kids: (Maybe not My Kids, Though…)
Look, I have no kids. But I saw some families, so I'm going to assume they're all about to have a great time. Babysitting service? Could be a lifesaver. Family/child friendly? Probably. Kids facilities, Kids meal? Maybe.
Access they have CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property. Check-in/out [express], not as express as I wanted. Check-in/out [private]? Likely an option.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials and Then Some!
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes (yes!), Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens
Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot? Maybe the pool with a view? Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms. Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, **Val
Luxury Getaway Awaits: Leonardo Hotel Mannheim-Ladenburg
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's trip itinerary. This is my trip itinerary, and it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic, potentially-dramatic-but-hopefully-mostly-hilarious journey through the heart of Shinagawa, Japan, specifically centered around the Shinagawa Tobu Hotel. Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: The Arrival and the Existential Crisis of the Vending Machine
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: (The Great Departure) - Okay, first of all, getting to the airport. Let's just say my Uber driver really enjoyed our conversation about the existential angst of pigeons. I did my best to follow the conversation, mostly just responding with a series of "mhmms" and "right you are" while simultaneously trying to make sure I didn't spill my coffee on my passport. Success… somehow?
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: (The Flight of Fancy, and the Tiny Airplane Blanket) - Flight gets delayed, of course. You know, just to throw a little spice into the mix. The tiny airplane blanket is a national scandal. It barely covered my knees, and my toes were practically shivering. Ate terrible airplane food. Reminded me of the time I tried to make a soufflé and ended up with a pancake.
- 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: (Touchdown Tokyo… and the Smell of Jet Lag) - Arrived in Tokyo! Immigration was surprisingly painless, which is a victory in itself. Now, jet lag: the gift that keeps on giving. Feeling a bit like a zombie wandering through the Narita Airport, I'm pretty sure I saw a vending machine wink at me.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: (The Shinkansen Gauntlet!) Take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station (hopefully not backwards). Then, transferring to Shinagawa Station. Getting my bearings straight… which, at this stage, means not getting completely lost in the labyrinth that is Tokyo Station. It's like a level in a video game I haven't played yet!
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: (Shinagawa Tobu Hotel Check-In - the Moment of Truth) - Finally… the Shinagawa Tobu Hotel! Check-in should be smooth, right? Famous last words. Last time I tried to book a hotel, I ended up booking a room in a place that didn't actually exist. Hoping the staff at the Tobu are friendly because I'm going to need all the help I can get.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: (Unpacking and the First Battle of the Japanese Toilet) - Hotel room secured. Unpacking. Discovering the gloriousness of the Japanese toilet - the seat warmer is a game changer, people. Probably going to spend a good hour just staring at the control panel, completely bewildered but also completely thrilled.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: (First Dinner - and the Cultural Confusion) - Wandering around Shinagawa looking for dinner. My stomach is growling. Found some Japanese restaurant near the hotel. The menu is a beautiful mystery, but I'll try to order something I don't have to use chopsticks for - at least not yet. Hoping I don't accidentally offend anyone by, you know, existing.
- 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM: (Contemplating the Meaning of Life… and the Vending Machine's Glare) - Back in the hotel room. Jet lag is kicking in HARD. Staring out the window, probably deeply contemplating the meaning of life, or at least the meaning of those baffling vending machine options. Is there a hidden agenda behind the bottled coffee? I swear I saw it judging me.
Day 2: The Tsukiji Outer Market and the Great Sushi Disaster
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: (Waking Up In A New World) - Waking up. The sun is shining. Feeling marginally less like a zombie. The promise of a good breakfast fuels me.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: (Breakfast Buffet… The Struggle is Real) - Breakfast at the hotel. Trying to navigate the buffet without causing a diplomatic incident. I'm pretty sure I accidentally stared at a plate of pickled something-or-other for a good five minutes. Decided to stick to toast. It felt safe.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: (Tsukiji Outer Market - The Sensory Overload) - Head to Tsukiji Outer Market! The energy is insane! The smells are overwhelming (in a good way!). The fish are… well, they're fish. Trying to avoid getting run over by a tiny scooter. Also, attempting to look cool and knowledgeable while browsing the stalls, even though I feel like I know nothing.
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: (Sushi Time! …and the Great Sushi Disaster) - Sushi! Oh, the sushi! Found a tiny restaurant that looked promising. Ordered a variety of sushi. The first piece was divine. The second piece… I think I accidentally swallowed a whole wasabi blob. Tears, a flushed face, and a very loud "AHHHH!" were involved. My taste buds are still recovering. I need more water.
- 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: (Wandering and Recovering) - Walking around, still trying to recover from the wasabi attack. Admiring the temples, the people, and everything else. Maybe grab some ice cream. Sweet relief!
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: (Exploring Shinagawa… and Getting Mildly Lost) - Exploring the Shinagawa area. The area around Shinagawa Station is pretty cool. Trying to find a good coffee shop and get directions from someone who actually speaks English. Okay, maybe I got a little lost. This is the part where I start to panic slightly, and I start repeating "I love Japan" like a mantra.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: (Hotel Rest and the Power Nap of Champions) - Back at the hotel. Need a nap. A serious nap. Jet lag is re-emerging. The power nap is the key to survival.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: (Dinner Round Two: Ramen Redemption) - Dinner! Feeling brave. Tonight, it's ramen! Doing research, scoping out the best ramen shop near the hotel. Gotta find the perfect bowl of noodles.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: (Ramen Conquered… and Facial Contortions) - Ramen acquired! The restaurant was packed! The noodles were divine. The broth was rich and flavorful. The experience? Messy. I slurped, I dripped, and I may have made a few ungraceful noises. But it was worth it. Best ramen ever!
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: (Evening Relaxation and Karaoke Contemplations) - Back at the hotel, planning for tomorrow. Contemplating the idea of karaoke, but probably deciding against it. My singing voice is best described as a dying cat, and I'd hate to subject anyone to it. Maybe just some relaxing time, reflecting on the day.
Day 3: Sensory overload and farewell to Tokyo
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: (Final Hotel Breakfast - The Epilogue) - Final breakfast. Trying to soak it all in. Gonna stock up on the hotel's free coffee to keep me going.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: (Shopping Spree - or, "How Much Can One Person Actually Carry?") - Souvenir shopping time! Gotta find gifts for all the people back home. Gonna try to avoid buying ALL the things.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: (Packing and the Heartbreak of Leaving) - Packing. Trying to Tetris my purchases. The sad feeling of leaving is starting to set in.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: (Last meal (hopefully) near the hotel) - One last Japanese meal. Hoping I won't cry, but I probably will.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: (Check-out and Sayōnara) - Checking out of the Shinagawa Tobu Hotel. Feeling sad, but also excited to return home.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: (Train to Narita and the Airport) - Getting on the train to the airport.
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: (Airport shenanigans and the last vending machine encounter) - Airport time. Trying to avoid overspending on duty-free. The end of the trip is a time of reflection. Maybe I'll get one last bottled coffee from the vending machine.
- **9:00 PM onwards: (The Long Flight Home - and the
Okay, spill the tea! Is the Tobu Hotel in Shinagawa *really* as luxurious as the hype suggests? I, for one, need a good solid reason to drop serious cash on a hotel room.
What *specifically* makes this place "luxury," then? Beyond the fluffy robes and the fact that they probably change your sheets more than you do at home. (No judgment, promise.)
Let’s talk rooms! What's the deal with the rooms themselves? Are we talking cramped, "Japanese hotel room" style, or legit space to breathe?
What about the bathrooms? You teased them. Give us the juicy deets! I'm a sucker for a good bathroom experience.
Beyond the rooms and bathrooms, what else is there to experience? Any hidden perks or secret gems?
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it worth the cost?
Okay, but be real. What were the downsides? Nothing's perfect, right? Did they have a broken elevator or something?
Would you stay there again? And more importantly, *should* I stay there?
