Review: Park Hyatt Tokyo

The Park Hyatt Tokyo is a great value property for Hyatt’s top tier elites. I used a confirmed suite upgrade and got nice value from breakfast which can be taken in the restaurant or via room service (or both). I enjoyed the complimentary happy hour for top elites as the sun set.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo appeals to me emotionally because years ago I really enjoyed Bill Murray in Lost in Translation, much of which takes place inside of this hotel.

It isn’t one of the absolute best hotels in Tokyo. Park Hyatt Tokyo has been surpassed by several additions in recent years. The Aman, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental and even Ritz-Carlton are likely better luxury hotels. Park Hyatt Tokyo is also not as easily walkable to as many things as other properties — indeed, many find the Grand Hyatt to be in a better location than the Park Hyatt. The hotel has been lovingly kept up, but could also use a renovation just to make it feel less dated.

There were a few service lapses during my stay, and yet I love the property and really enjoyed my time here this month. The hotel costs 30,000 points per night, and whether or not that makes sense depends on paid rates which vary quite a lot here, from the low $400s or $900 a night in my experience.

Cash and points isn’t worth it at category 7 (15,000 points and $300 per night, you’re buying back Hyatt points at 2 cents apiece) and fortunately now even award nights count towards status and can have upgrades confirmed in advance.

You can transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card, and similar.

park hyatt tokyo

park hyatt tokyo

Entering the Park Hyatt Tokyo on the ground floor you walk past an art installation to an elevator that will take you to 41st floor check-in. It will be a separate elevator on the other side of the floor that takes you to guest rooms.

park hyatt tokyo

There’s a small entryway to the room and then the room is laid out in a rectangle. To the right is a corridor that takes you to the living room, to the left is the bathroom, with the bedroom on the other side of the wall in front of you.

Park Suite Living Room

Functional and comfortable there was a small round dining table as well as a couch and comfortable chair. The room wasn’t huge but was certainly functional, and there’s glass on two sides.

Park Hyatt Tokyo Bedroom

Dark and mellow the room was mostly the bed but also a desk. I didn’t want to do any work in the bedroom, but I needed the desk because if there’s one thing the room lacked it was outlets. And while the outlets in the living room did work, they wouldn’t charge my laptop. The outlet by the desk did. So I kept recharging at the desk and then working out in the living room.

Park Suite Bathroom

There was a shower and a tub, dual sinks, and a dressing area/closet beside it.

The shower leaked water onto the bathroom floor. I love Aesop products, in fact I use them at home. I first discovered them because the Park Hyatt Tokyo has offered them for years.

Park Hyatt Tokyo Elite Benefits: Breakfast and Evening Cocktails

My room had welcome candies and a note explaining the elite benefits at the property, as well as details on the hotel’s shuttle to and from Shinjuku station.

Top tier elites can take breakfast in the restaurant or via room service. Technically you can even do both, as I learned when I woke up in the middle of the night and ordered coffee and pastries, this was never billed since it was breakfast (which is available 24 hours), and I ate breakfast in the restaurant as well.

The breakfast buffet is lovely, enough items though not one of the more extensive buffets I’ve seen, though it appeared to be high quality.

I had the Japanese meal each day. I was encouraged to visit the buffet also. There’s no limit on breakfast, it seems. After I ordered the Japanese meal the first day I was asked if I’d want it on future days so they could reserve it. Apparently they did run out of Japanese meals one of the mornings I was there. (If it’s important to you for your first morning, I’d call the night before.)

In the evenings there were cocktails and appetizers available complimentary for top elites. This isn’t at the famous New York Bar (which you know from Lost in Translation) but on the 41st floor.

Nonetheless the atmosphere is subdued and lovely.

View from My Room at the Park Hyatt Tokyo

I had a Park Suite facing West, towards Mount Fuji off in the distance, but it was only clear enough to see it for a short while one day during my stay.

Rest of the Property

The Park Hyatt Tokyo itself is well maintained though somewhat dated, they could really use changing the carpeting in the hallways.

Walking between the guest floor elevators and the elevator to leave the property takes you along a library and the check-in desks, as well as the hotel’s all day dining restaurant.

One floor down is Kuzue, the Park Hyatt Tokyo’s Japanese restaurant. I didn’t visit it on this stay, but recall fondly a meal there in 2006.

Near the elevators down to the ground is the Peak Bar and Lounge.

The hotel’s pool and gym are great.

One evening my wife and I had a meal at the hotel’s New York Grill, largely because I’ve wanted to for many years and hadn’t had occasion, and because we were tired after our journey and wanted just to relax with our complimentary appetizers and cocktails and stay in for dinner. It’s expensive (many entrees $80+ and starting around $40) but my Hokkaido Akaushi sirloin was one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten.

My meal here was one of the service failures I experienced during my stay. I called the concierge to make the booking. The restaurant wasn’t open yet so they were going to follow up and ring me back and email me once it was confirmed. That never happened. I called the concierge back in the afternoon and they confirmed that they never did anything about my request, but it there was space so little was lost. I just expect the concierge to actually do what they say they will.

Nonetheless saying goodbye to the Park Hyatt is always bittersweet. And with confirmed suite upgrades, breakfast and evening cocktails, I’m truly fortunate to be able to stay here while in Tokyo.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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  1. Pretty much agree in toto. One’s enjoyment of the Park Hyatt is highly correlated to one’s appreciation of Lost in Translation. Fortunately, that is still one of my favorite movies of all time, but the thrill is starting to get a bit thin in comparison to the poor location, and the wealth of newer and (and ultimately) better hotels.

  2. Well, my wife and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency 6 months ago, but wanted to stay at the Park Hyatt for the Lost in Translation experience, but didn’t have the points. It looks like we missed out on a lot! That said and with only Explorist status, the Regency was nice enough for 2 annual free nights and only 12,000 points/night for the other 3 nights. With the lounge pass we had breakfast and happy hour most days. There is a free shuttle to Shinjuku as well. Yes, it is also walkable from the station, but after walking 15,000+ steps a day the shuttle was welcome. We also took the Narita Express to Shinjuku which runs about every half hour, except for the time we arrived (of course) and had to wait an hour. Yes, we could have routed differently, but we had the JR train pass and the express was included. Plus luggage and changing trains sounded like a hassle.

  3. I really liked “Lost in Translation” and this article has reminded me that it is time to see it again . I believe it is too low key and obscure for many .
    Someday we’ll visit Tokyo . Better start saving Hyatt points !

  4. Fascinating look at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, a place that’s been on my bucket list for a good long while after seeing ‘Lost in Translation’. Hopefully later this year. Thanks for this review.

  5. Gary, to stay in the Hyatt family, have you tried the Andaz Tokyo? I just did 2 weeks ago and thought it was quite fabulous. The rooms are beyond gorgeous, breakfast spread is amazing and service was really good. The location isn’t ideal though.

  6. The Aman, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental and even Ritz-Carlton are likely better luxury hotels

    I’m going to stop you right there. Have you stayed at the Peninsula in Tokyo? I have and it’s a sh*thole. I’ve never been more disappointed with a property in my life. The Park Hyatt on the other hand was delightful.

  7. The Pen properties outside Hong Kong and New York are never good. Even some MO’s can be disappointing.

    For top-notch, personal service, try the Japanese chains: the Capitol Tokyu, the Imperial…for international chains: the Four Seasons is also great and conveniently located. Book a suite with a panoramic bathroom…very nice. At the Grand Hyatt, get a suite with an in-room pool.

    Outside Tokyo, one of the best experiences is at a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn). Truly sublime and unforgettable!

  8. “At the Grand Hyatt, get a suite with an in-room pool.“

    To clarify, there is only one suite with that amenity, right? Is there a good way to secure it without dropping $10k / night?

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