Despite its prime location, the hotel lacks magnificent views which you might get from Peninsula or Imperial's Tower floors due to architectural height regulations of Ginza district, but for those of you looking for the ultimate convenience of access to Ginza main street, this is the place.
The main entrance is set back half block from the street, and also the presence of doormen, helps the walk-ins away and keeps the hotel very quiet all day - making it a nice hide place for your personal short stay.
However upon our arrival the hotel receptionists were whispering, and sloppy (took time to confirm reservation and also forgot to explain about meal coupons), so they lacked the traditional Japanese welcoming hospitality which we expected by reading past reviews.
We stayed in the Sakura Suite - which was roomy for a Japanese hotel, but had no wifi (only ethernet via cable connection : JPY1,575 per day), no iPod mountable radio in the room (CD/MD only), and no cable TVs (only local Japanese channels, no BBS, CNN nor ESPN), and there was no ottoman to use when you're seating the sofa and watching TV - so it's very difficult to justify the rack rate of JPY80,000.
My wife and I stayed in this suite for a night - a discounted JPY48,000 package deal including 5 course French dinner for 2 at the hotel's main restaurant "Repertoire" and also in-room dining Japanese breakfasts for 2.
This package eventually proved to be an excellent deal, solely because of the dinner. We must admit the restaurant was excellent, fresh and creative translation of traditional French dinner into modern fine fusion, and it instantly became one of our favorite dine places in Ginza.
These special dinner & room plans often appears on Japanese hotel reservation websites such as Ikyu, so it is recommended for any seasoned Japan traveler to plan ahead and check the package deals before you book. But if you are business traveler looking for a modern & efficient equipped room, there are lots of other options.
- Hotel Seiyo Ginza a Rosewood
