Keio Plaza Hotel - Shinjuku 新宿区)

Recently, I had the pleasure of staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku (新宿区).

The hotel, built in 1971, has the distinction of being not only Japans first skyscraper, but at 47 stories remains one of Tokyo's tallest hotels. The hotel has a Main and South Tower, but the personalized service and helpful attitude of the staff was admirable.

Because of its location and amenities, the property is popular with western tourists and Japanese.....the hotel boasts several first class facilities and services such as but not limited to daycare, an outdoor pool (NB - the pool is closed during 2008 as it is being renovated), several restaurants, bars, a fitness room, free high speed dataport, a business center, and a convenience store to pick up some snacks when you first arrive and are too tired to venture outside of the hotel.

The hotel has a wide array of room rates to suit any budget. I was able to make use of a package rate that included daily breakfast coupons. These breakfast coupons can be used in 2 outlets at the hotel: C&T Lounge (just off the lobby) that serves a Western Style Buffet daily from 7AM -10AM, and Kagari (located on the 2nd fl) which offers a Japanese Breakfast daily from 7AM - 10AM. While I enjoyed both, honestly speaking the Western Buffet was the best - a wide selection of cereals, fresh baked goods, yogurt, fresh fruit, as well as bacon, eggs and the best coffee I've had in ages.

The hotel is conveniently located near Shinjuku station, so you'll be able to quickly get around Tokyo via the JR Yamanote line as well as several other subway lines. Likewise, for those arriving by plane into Tokyo, the hotel is a main stop on the Friendly Airport Limousine bus route from both Narita and Haneda Airports. Bus tickets from Narita to the hotel are JPY3,000.

And, as if my word wasn't enough, this past February 2008, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo was chosen as a Best Value by Budget Travel Magazine in its first-ever Best Values list, powered by TripAdvisor

The hotel web site is up to date and informative and also allows you to book your reservation directly http://www.keioplaza.com/

For those heading to Tokyo looking for good service, a comfortable stay and a great location - look no further than the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku.

All the best......Mark