We just returned from a Cruise West tour of Japan. Our final couple of days was at the Imperial in Tokyo. This is a classic old hotel beautifuly maintained and with the most service I've ever experienced in a hotel. The other hotels we experienced in Japan were 'Okuras" and were excellent. We thought the service from them was great but the Imperial was in yet another class. There is no tipping in Japan but notwithstanding the staff was there virtually without asking or even necessarily being wanted. Certainly the Japanese folks frequenting the hotel seemed to expect the degree of service we observed, we though experienced travellers were somewhat amazed by it. The facility is excellent, the food venues were quite good, though as with most things in Japan expensive. We were given a 20% discount as hotel guests which helped. The rooms though excellent did not have irons and ironing boards in them though they were available for the asking. Other amenities of fine hotels were present. The hotel's distinguishing characteristics for us were location and service. The service excellence was enough to prompt this review.

When you stay at hotel such as the Imperial Hotel, there are just so many details you can look at and say "I wish other hotels would do this as well as the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo". From the minute you arrive at the Imperial Hotel, you are immediately taken care of.

Even though we took the Airport Limousine bus from Narita, as soon as we stepped off the bus, the Bell Staff were there to greet us, and all they wanted to know was which luggage was ours. The immediately tag it and take care of it for you. They direct you to the front desk where the Japanese hospitality kicks into high gear. The front desk staff are very proficient and even though we arrived very early in the morning, they were immediately able to check us into our room (Which we were very thankful for especially after flying all night). The front desk then signals the bell staff, and this person takes your keys and leads you to the room.

We have stayed at the Imperial hotel previously, and there are 2 towers. The new tower and the old tower, the new tower has the older rooms, and the old tower has the newer rooms. I know its confusing, but they renovated the old tower, so it now has the newer rooms.

This stay we were in the new tower. The rooms are older, but that only means you get a regular tube TV, as opposed to the Plasma TV in both the bedroom and bathroom. The room is small but is large enough to have 2 suitcases and big dufflebag and other carry on luggage strewn about with still enough room to get around. The king bed was firm and comfortable. There are both Cotton Terrycloth robes and Yukata provided. And in typical Japanese fashion, the toilet is a wash-let. In other words it was the buttons on the side to 'clean' your back side.

The location of the Imperial hotel is in the Ginza district and is just a few steps away from the Yūrakuchō Train Station. So connections on the JR are easy.

The housekeeping staff actually comes back to the room in the afternoon to 'tidy' it up. They make your bed, put fresh towels in the bath room and provide you with a clean yukata.

The hotel overall is fantastic. The politeness of the staff and the level of service they provide are absolutely amazing (compared to North America). They really go above and beyond to help you out. Even though the hotel is quite old (Frank Lloyd Wright design), it is meticulously maintained, and it is spotless. I love this hotel and will gladly stay there on any future trips to Tokyo.

We stayed in this hotel with a soccer team for the intercontinental soccer cup for 6 days.
Everything is 5 star, the rooms, the food, the service etc..
The best thing of the hotel is his location in the center of the city, easy to shoping, visits, dinnig and go out.
We enjoyed very much our stayed here, we felt very safe and in the midle of everything.

Great hotel, incredibly helpful and friendly staff, very comfortable rooms. Conveniently located, in walking distance to Ginza district.