New Otani Inn Tokyo

A towering white structure with 427 rooms, the New Otani Inn Tokyo is large and pristine. The white and slate gray tiled lobby and the simple, small seating area tucked away on one end of the reception area score top marks for cleanliness, but the emphasis here is clearly more on functionality than on creating an especially inviting atmosphere. Save for a gift shop and a vending machine dispensing an impressive range of beverages and snacks in the lobby, there’s not much else of note in the hotel itself. Tourists staying here may find more interest in the restaurants and shops of the adjacent indoor mall or the garden, both accessible by a covered walkway. 

The New Otani Inn is one of many hotels and office buildings in Tokyo’s commercial Shinagawa district. There's a mall across the street and a plethora of Japanese and American restaurants on the surrounding streets, including a Subway and Burger King on the corner. It's not too far from central Tokyo, but the lack of tourist locations within walking distance make it slightly removed from the action. The Osaka Station, standing directly across and accessible via a covered walkway, is conveniently one minute away on foot and makes getting to Tokyo’s attractions fairly simple. The Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, and Roppongi's notorious nightlife are all between 25 and 30 minutes away by public transport. Closer by, the Harajuku fashion district is 15 minutes away by train. Further out, the Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji Temple, and Tokyo Disney Resort are 43 minutes away by public transport. Narita International Airport is a one-hour drive away. Haneda International Airport is much closer, 20 minutes away by car. 

Rooms at the hotel are boldly decorated and clean. Patterned carpets, accent walls, and framed prints all adhere to a black, red, and white color scheme that stops just shy of being gaudy. While the rooms -- especially the Deluxe and Suite varieties -- are decent in size by Tokyo standards, guests may still find the single rooms with queen beds to be cramped. Many rooms offer stunning views of Tokyo city and the Meguro River, even stretching to Mt. Fuji on clear days. All rooms come standard with work desks with built-in electric outlets and flat-screen TVs, though the center console radios and analog alarm clocks are dated. Air-conditioning cannot be controlled from the rooms, which leads to potential stuffiness during warm weather. Rooms also include mini-fridges, hot water kettles with free tea and coffee packets, and ironing equipment. Semi-suites feature extra seating, plus separate dressing rooms and small kitchenettes. The lack of free Wi-Fi in rooms (broadband internet access is available for daily fees) is a major downside.Bathrooms in most rooms are on the small side, but have toilets with bidet features, plus shower/tub combos with handheld showerheads. Free toiletries and hairdryers are also provided.Several rooms permit smoking, so guests will need to specify their preference for a non-smoking room should they want one. Accessible rooms are available upon request.

Amenities here stack up as on par with most business hotels in Japan. The three on-site dining options are pluses, though they mirror the hotel’s functional style and decor. The Lounge is a narrow cafe serving a continental menu. The larger Funachaya offers both Japanese and western items, it serves the hotel’s breakfast buffet, which is included with room fees and provides both Japanese and Western items. Funachaya's menu is also offered as room service. Both restaurants are simply decorated with wooden floors and no-frills dining furniture, though the black-and-gold Japanese screen print in Funachaya adds both color and character. Bar Outrigger is the spot for drinks. Three meeting rooms emphasize the hotel’s conduciveness to business events, as does the two-computer business center in the lobby. In contrast to the rooms, Wi-Fi in common areas is free. Laundry service is offered, and parking, valet or self-service, comes with extra fees.