The Family Friendly Westin Tokyo

November 1, 2016 Margalit Sturm Francus

Any family wanting to explore Japan and expose their children to Japanese culture will want to visit Tokyo. When staying over in the city, travelers have some quality options. We decided to stay at the Westin Tokyo, and we were pleased with our decision.

What Makes it Family Worthy?

Travelers can find the Westin at 1-4-1 Mita Street in the Meguro-Ku area of Tokyo. Though the location may not be in the more popular and touristy areas of the city, its main advantage is the peaceful neighborhood it is in along with the fact it has a giant mall and Ebisu subway station nearby.

Families will appreciate the location of this hotel, about 30 minutes away from the local airport as well as the city center. This five-star hotel contains approximately 438 rooms, with 20 suites.

Fellow Travelers

This hotel caters to business travelers as well as couples and families on vacation.

Decor

The lobby, decorated in opulent dark blues, reds, and hues of brown and black had an understated elegance. From the massive marble pillars to the shiny floors and the plush seating, the luxurious feel of the hotel was evident. These colors complimented the neutral tones throughout the building.

Our Room

Our rooms 1616 and 1617 on the 16^th floor had lovely city views.The boys’ room had two twin beds, each with an adequate number of pillows, and a nightstand between them. A cabinet containing complimentary kimonos and a sizable flat screened television faced the beds. There was also a well-equipped vanity area in their room, as well as small sitting area with two armchairs and a table. In addition, the room’s furnishings included a work desk with all the usual paraphernalia.

The well-lit, large closet in the boys’ room had an excellent array of amenities including a clothes brush, iron, and an ironing board. Plentiful tea and coffee making supplies were provided in the room as well. There was a mini fridge for guests to use, which we found very convenient for holding leftovers and other edibles. In one of the drawers beside the mini fridge, we found drinks and snacks available for purchase. Directly below that particular drawer was the in-room safe, a feature which always comes in handy for storing valuables.

The room that we, the parents, stayed in had similar furnishing but a much larger sitting area, as well as a king-sized bed. Our room also featured a tea and coffee making area with ample amounts of counter space.

The Bathrooms

Both suites had bathrooms with black granite counter-tops and white porcelain sinks. The bathrooms both had separate tub and shower units, each with raised sides so that the bathwater didn’t splash out and cause the floors to become slippery. In both bathrooms, there were water glasses, fresh towels, and all the usual toiletry supplies such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Additional useful items, including toothbrushes and makeup sponges, could be found in the kits that were provided in each bathroom. Extra bath supplies were provided in the tub and shower areas, so travelers won’t find themselves hopping out of the tub and soaking the floors while they hunt around for the toiletry items. An excellent privacy feature in both bathrooms was the frosted glass shower door that obscured bathers from view.

Our master bathroom somewhat differed from the boy’s bathroom. The tub and shower area in our room was paneled in black marble, adding a touch of elegance. Our bathroom also contained a linen basket for wet towels, which we thought was a very good idea.

The kids’ bathtub had a shelf behind it to hold extra towels and their toilet area was sectioned off from where the bathtub was, lending extra privacy to those who needed it.

Our Breakfast

The breakfast area was a beautiful room decorated with red carpeting and white chairs around set tables. We noted an outside area where travelers could eat if they desired.

The breakfast buffet had the typical American fare of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage, with a pancake and build your own omelet station. In the pancake station, guests could top their pancakes with chocolate and banana sauces. There were several options for vegetarians and vegans, including tofu and a salad buffet.

There was a section dedicated to Japanese foods, which included rice, wontons, boiled fish paste, smoked salmon and soybeans. Visitors looking for drinks could choose from fresh grapefruit or orange juice.

Dining

The hotel featured several onsite restaurants. Diners had the option of selecting from French, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines without leaving the building, or even their rooms with the Westin’s 24-hour room service.

Those dining at the Compass Rose on the 22nd floor could experience stunning city views with dark wood decor. There, diners could enjoy live jazz with a nice alcoholic beverage and even a Cuban cigar. Guests who ordered a cocktail could watch the unique method the bartenders employed for spinning ice in a glass.

Also on the 22nd floor, travelers could enjoy the Teppanyaki grill of the Yebisu. Diners could watch their meal be prepared right in front of them. The Yebisu offered three private rooms that could seat up to 10 people for a quieter dining experience.

The hotel’s Ryutenmon, a Cantonese restaurant, received a Michelin Star in the Michelin Tokyo 2010. This restaurant on the second floor boasted Chinese inspired decor. Parents should be aware that this restaurant had a smoking and nonsmoking sections in the restaurant as well as five private dining rooms. Noteworthy is the restaurant’s Shark Fin Soup which, though controversial, some travelers might like.

Also, the Westin had an onsite sushi restaurant, Mai, where guests could experience a Japanese Afternoon Tea with traditional tea cakes. Diners could sit next to each other at the sushi bar, or a family with up to four members could enjoy their meal on a private counter. The restaurant also offered a weekend Japanese Buffet.

Even all the way in Tokyo, visitors could enjoy authentic French dining at Victor’s. Executive Chef Toshio Numajiri, using local produce and meats, was able to create delicious French dishes such as bouillabaisse. While dining in the restaurant, patrons could enjoy fantastic views of the city in the main dining hall or the “Rococo” private room.

Travelers looking for a quick meal on the go could try out the Westin Deli, where they could get coffee, croissants, and even banana bread.

Amenities

The hotel had a spa, a beauty salon, and concierge services available for guests. The reception desk was open at all hours as well. We had to purchase In-room wifi. However, public areas of the hotel had complimentary wifi.

Executive Lounge

The lounge featured elaborate decor with dark blue carpet and beautiful furniture. We loved the fantastic city views as we sipped our morning coffee in the lounge.An assortment of teas, coffees, and sodas were available throughout the day. In the morning, the lounge served breakfast for guests. During Happy Hour, the Lounge had a plethora of hot and cold appetizers as well as a variety of libations.

Autism Travel Tips:

The bathtubs at this hotel have safety handles, but bathmats are not provided, so travelers should plan accordingly.
There is a handheld head in the shower, which makes bathing easier for disabled persons.