Dai-Ichi Hotel Annex

This hotel is situated on a plaza that it shares with its more expensive sister property, Dai-Ichi Hotel Tokyo, with a mix of concrete pathways, lawns, and a few trees and bushes. Inside, the lobby is a welcoming, contemporary space that feels much like the entrance to an upscale residential apartment building. Lobby decor is pleasant and modern, with off-white sofas and chairs with dark-brown frames, and coordinating patterned carpets in hues of cream and chocolate. Tall marble walls, big glass windows, and potted ferns add a welcoming touch. However, it's not really a space where guests tend to linger. Clientele tends to be mostly business travelers, though the hotel does get some vacationing couples and a few families, too. 

This hotel is located in the Minato area, about a two-minute walk from Shimbashi Station (for the metro and JR lines). Minato is predominantly a business district, with fast-food and chain restaurants, office buildings, and mini-marts, plus a few proper sit-down restaurants. The area stays lively into the evening with the after-work crowd, and it is a good base to explore famous Ginza neighborhood, located about a 10- to 15-minute walk away. It takes about 20 minutes to half an hour to reach the Imperial Palace by public transportation, while Ueno Park -- where many of the city's museums are located -- is about a 20- to 25-minute metro ride away. Getting to Haneda Airport can take as little as 40 minutes on the Keikyu-Kuko Line (22 minutes by car), but it can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and 40 minutes to reach Narita Airport (60 minutes by taxi). 

Guest rooms here come in a range of configurations, for one to four people. All have generic contemporary decor, accented with touches of warm colors such as burnt orange and spring green on bed runners, though the overall style is still typical of a mid-range chain hotel. Dark striped carpets and gray curtains also contribute to a corporate and somewhat dated feel. Furnishings include clean-lined black desks with ergonomic chairs, but it's a tight squeeze in many rooms, with limited space between desks and beds. Overall, rooms are comfortable and quiet. Though some past guests have complained of noise from trains passing nearby, double-glazed windows help mitigate the situation a bit. 

Amenities found in all units include flat-screen TVs, safes, lightly stocked minibars, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Slippers and irons and ironing boards also come standard. Bathrooms are basic but spacious compared to the sleeping areas, and feature a gray-and-white color scheme. All have large granite countertops, a good selection of toiletries, hairdryers, bidet toilets, and shower/tub combos. Small potted plants add a touch of green to the otherwise grayscale spaces. 

Dai-Ichi Hotel Annex has few features -- there are no gym or wellness facilities -- though there is a nice Italian restaurant -- Trattoria La Paranza -- situated just below street level. Stairs lead down to a lovely patio with outdoor seating, while the indoor section features high ceilings and ample use of wood in the tables and floors. Pops of green and red in cushions and wall panelling make the space feel inviting and bright, as do wall-to-wall windows offering patio views. The menu is predominantly Italian, with a solid wine list. A buffet breakfast with Japanese and Western options is available here for a fee. There's also a small computer workstation in the lobby (fee), and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Basic concierge services are also available, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers and valet laundry.