Hilton Tokyo Odaiba

From the outside, the Hilton Tokyo Odaiba resembles a massive cruise liner; its gently curved, gray facade envelopes an entranceway framed with stone-enclosed pockets of grass and leafy trees. The lobby, too, conjures thoughts of a cruise ship's promenade, with large columns and a decorative, grand staircase -- it's all very fitting given the hotel's location right on the waters of Tokyo Bay. The hotel isn't near much of interest, so the abundance of destinations on site are a bonus. With low lighting and an intimate vibe, Captain’s Bar was designed to resemble an ocean liner cabin. At Ocean Dining restaurant, guests can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo Bay from the large bay windows, while Sakura offers a view of a garden terrace while guests enjoy their sushi. Outside, a leafy garden area with a stone patio and wooden tables and chairs provides a spot for guests to enjoy the open air, and the spa has a relaxed, modern ambience with spectacular views of Rainbow Bridge. The hotel mainly sees families and couples, though some areas of the property -- including the spa and pool -- are not exactly kid-friendly, as they're closed to those under 18 years of age. Plenty of business travelers stay here as well, drawn by Hilton's signature services, but all guests should be prepared for fees for everything from breakfast to pool use.

The hotel is located on Odaiba Island, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to Decks Tokyo Beach shopping mall, which has a Sega Joypolis indoor amusement park and a Little Hong Kong area with Cantonese restaurants. Aqua City Odaiba, another large shopping center, is just a six-minute walk from the hotel. Daiba Station, on the Yurikamome Line, is attached to the hotel, and Tokyo Teleport Station, on the Rinkai Line, is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. From there, trips to Shibuya take around 30 minutes. Within a six-minute drive is Tokyo Big Sight, a convention center on neighboring Ariake Island. Tokyo Tower can be reached in 40 minutes on public transportation. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Haneda Airport, and a 50-minute drive from Narita International Airport, though both are accessible by public transport as well.

Hilton Tokyo Odaiba has spacious rooms with stylish, gray circular-patterned carpeting and sophisticated yet homey decor including floor lamps, floor-length beige curtains, and beige parlor chairs with orange-patterned throw pillows. The light wood-veneer furniture, including bedside tables and large work desks, has a slightly mod sensibility, while tufted leather headboards lend rooms a dash of modern class. All rooms have small balconies, some with views of Tokyo Bay. Standard features include minibars, coffee/tea facilities, flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom we saw was pretty, with tiled floors, a shower/tub combo, and a generous toiletry kit. A range of suites are available including the Royal Garden Suite which has a grand piano and a private garden, and the King Terrace Suite, which has an outdoor whirlpool.  

The hotel has several restaurants offering a variety of cuisine including Japanese, Cantonese, and Australian options. Meals are not included with room rates. High tea is also offered in a space with bay views, and there’s a bar on-site. For guests 18 years of age and older there’s a spacious, 24-hour fitness center and spa on-site with an indoor pool and whirlpool; there's also an outdoor whirlpool with bay views. Unfortunately, the hotel charges a fee for pool access. For private events, the hotel has event spaces that can accommodate up to 1,500 guests. A wide variety of services are available for a fee including currency exchange as well as florist and laundry services. The hotel has a 24-hour business center with three computers and a copier/fax machine, and parking is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is also subject to fees.