Hilton Tokyo Bay

Hilton Tokyo Bay is a large hotel that sort of feels like an airport, with its huge lobby that houses restaurants and shops under a soaring ceiling. Overall, the hotel makes an effort to be welcoming to all types of travelers, including the disabled, and especially children who love the model train that runs through the center of the lobby near check-in. In terms of decor, there is a fairytale ambience that appears in some public areas of the hotel, like elevator vestibules on some floors, but there are places for the adults to escape to too, like the hotel bar, lobby lounge and gym facilities. In other parts of the hotel, the look ranges from classically contemporary, with polished marble and shiny metal details, to futuristic. Although the hotel does tailor its offerings for families with small children who want to stay close to the Disney parks, the hotel does sit right on Tokyo bay with views to Kawasaki and, on a clear day, to Mount Fuji. Couples looking for romance just might find that here too. 

This hotel is really only ideal for families spending their vacations at the nearby Disney parks, and it's surrounded by other similarly large hotels. Situated on the bay, equidistant from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea, one side of the hotel faces the parks and the other looking out over the water toward Kawasaki. The Disney monorail system stops just outside the hotel and the park entrances can be reached in about 20 minutes. For those venturing beyond Disney, Mahaima train station is less than ten minutes away by shuttle -- which the hotel provides -- and from there it’s an easy, but long, 90-minute ride into central Tokyo. Alternatively, the drive takes about 40 minutes. For those flying domestically, Haneda Airport is 35 minutes away by car, and the drive to Narita International Airport is about an hour.

Rooms are modern and large relative to the size of rooms in most Japanese hotels, making them especially comfortable for traveling families. Guests can choose between two types of rooms: Happy Magic rooms, which are outfitted with special interactive features for children and decorated with a fairytale theme, or Celebrio rooms/suites which have a futuristic, more adult-friendly look. In general, the decor doesn't exactly scream cutting edge, and the quality of beds is mediocre for an upscale hotel (many travelers find them too firm). Standard features include limited minibars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, older iPod docks, and safes. Bathrooms in Celebrio rooms have high-tech adjustable music and colored lighting, and bathrooms in all rooms and suites have a hairdryer and toiletries. Suites are over 800 square feet (80 square meters) spread over two bedrooms and a living room, with a 55-inch TV. Special perks like access to a lounge and welcome cocktails are included when booking a suite. All rooms and suites have either a park view or a bay view, and on clear days the latter might offer a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.

At Hilton Tokyo Bay, the number of amenities makes the hotel a veritable village of its own. There are two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, with that latter only opening for about a month in August. Several different restaurants and lounges serve diverse offerings that range from Chinese to Mediterranean or Asian Fusion. A lobby sandwich shop has kid-friendly items like mini pizzas, and a stylish bar is open late for drinks. Lounge O is a good, if very open, place for gathering in the sun-filled hotel lobby, surrounded by windows that look out onto pleasant gardens. The breakfast buffet is expansive, and offers both Asian and Western options, but it’s worth noting that there may be a fee for children to eat breakfast, depending on family size and the type of room. In terms of health and fitness amenities, the hotel has a gym, a spa with sauna, and a squash court. Extra features like a 24-hour convenience store, a flower shop, a beauty salon, laundry service, several event rooms, and a computer corner make the hotel especially easy and welcoming for families who need easy access to those types of services. The hotel pays special attention to making all areas of the hotel accessible for guests with disabilities, and service animals are also welcome. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.