I haven't stayed at many hotels in Tokyo, usually I'm housed at an Institute. So this was different. This hotel underwent a renovation spring 2009, make sure you get the correct website (http://www.juraku.com/ocha/english1/index.html). Walking distance to the Imperial Palace area, electric city; Ochanomizu station and others within a few blocks get to you almost any train/subway line easily. So, the area was very convenient for any visit to Tokyo (business or pleasure).
Other notes: non-smoking floors are 4,9,10,11; request 10 or 11 if you want to make sure smoke doesn't waft up. and it will. Internet decently fast & free, but bring a cable (they supply, but it's very short). Windows are fairly good sound-proofing and open-able making for decent temperature management; but the double/twin rooms are near the trains, and I mean really near the trains (convergence of 3 lines right below your window) and it was often a choice of LOTS of noise or stuffy room. For the single rooms, the window is porportionally large (rooms are small), but for twin room the single window is 1/3 of width of the room, seemed very very small and let very little light into room. Still, there was a very good light-blocking shade if you need darkness to sleep.
The breakfast all-you-can-eat buffet has big selection -- japanese, western, mix & match, even multiple espresso machines. It doesn't change (much), and got a bit old after 6 days. Still, very easy
to get your fill and vary it a bit. A lot of fresh fruit, bread, 3 kinds of rice, noodles, 2 kinds of soups, smoked salmon, other fish, etc.
There are convenience stores are in the area, but no larger grocery.
The "see-through" windows to bathroom -- has a shade (privacy is not a problem), but even through the shade the bathroom light will wake up a sleeping partner. Bring a night-light. The bathroom was fine, plenty of hot water, tall enough for a 2m-tall gaijin, hairdryer, complimentary toothbrushes, shampoo, etc.
There was very little room to store clothes: 2 small hooks in the double room (2 people),
no dresser. Removed tea/etc stuff to have a shelf to put clothes on. Room had a fridge, hotpot for water, selection of tea.
Annoyance: their laundry service charged me 200Y each extra for my (men's style button-down shirts)
vs. my partner's (men's style button-down shirts).
Overall convenient, good deal, all amenities, easy access to breakfast, but could be noisy and a bit dark
- Juraku Hotel Chiyoda
