The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda

The Royal Park Hotel The Haneda’s contemporary decor befits its airport setting. The modern, bright, and airy lobby has high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and tiled floors. There’s punchy seating in lime green, and the modern reception desk is styled like a bank of flight check-in counters. There are other subtle hints to this travel theme built into both rooms and public spaces, like world clocks turned into wall art. Hallways have moody brown walls and patterned carpets, and the rotating exhibition of artwork livens things up, but it’s all still a bit dark. The on-site restaurant is spacious, and the black marble countertop at the bar adds to its elegance, though it does look a touch dated; medallion chairs lift the dining room atmosphere up above a public cafeteria. The vast majority of guests here are on a (sometimes unexpected) layover, and range from business travelers to families. 

Conveniently located inside Haneda Airport’s international terminal, the hotel has a mix of rooms before and after immigration and security. It’s well signposted within the airport, and good train connections mean it’s possible to use it as a base to explore the city, too. Guests can reach the Shibuya Crossing in 32 minutes by car or 44 minutes by train, while the city’s main railway terminal is a 35-minute train ride away. Transferring to Narita International Airport takes just over an hour by taxi and just over 90 minutes by limousine bus. There’s also a free shuttle bus connecting the international and domestic terminals.

Rooms come in a myriad of options and range from positively tiny to much more spacious. All are cleverly designed to maximize space and pack in plenty of amenities. Though generally modern, they do feel a bit dated in parts -- like the yellow-and-brown sofas and armchairs, and the off-white floral wallpaper. The cheapest rooms on the Standard Floor only have showers; pricier Standard Rooms and Premium Floor Rooms have at least a shower over a bathtub. Higher rooms also have views of the runway and Mount Fuji.

Minuscule Premium Comfort Single Rooms have large single beds, small tables, and seats fashioned from treasure chests, but no desks or sofas. The simple all-in-one bathrooms have showerhead attachments in the bathtubs. By contrast, Spacious Family Rooms have four single beds, sofas, armchairs, desks, and small coffee tables, plus bathrooms with wet-room showers and full soaking tubs. In general, rooms sport a neutral backdrop with dark gray carpeting, espresso-colored wood furniture, and white walls spiked with bold colors like lime green and the occasional lively print. Prism Suites have a bolder design with parquet floors, upholstery in clashing stripes and zigzagging rainbows, and miniature globes painted in funky patterns. Bathrooms have handsome touches such as hardwood flooring, marble wall tiling, and chic marble-topped double-sink vanities. Their wet rooms have built-in bathtubs and separate power showers.

All rooms automatically come with individual air-conditioning and heating, and large flat-screen TVs (two in suites) with cable and video on-demand. There are safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and well-disguised mini-fridges (though no minibars). Pricier rooms, including the Premium Comfort Single Room and the Prism Suite, have coffeemakers. Other amenities include free pajama tops and slippers, branded Mikinoto toiletries in refillable dispensers, and hairdryers. There’s an extensive selection of individual vanity items, too -- helpful if your luggage is checked or lost. Free cribs are available to borrow, there’s keycard-restricted elevator access, and the hotel has smoking rooms.

The hotel offers ample features making for a comfortable stopover, though it lacks some of the higher-end amenities found elsewhere at this price point. There’s no gym, pool, or spa, but massages can be arranged for a fee. The hotel's reasonably priced restaurant is open from early morning until late; both continental and cooked breakfasts here are excellent but not included in all rates. There are also beverage vending machines available in the hotel itself, as well as numerous restaurants around the airport. Laundry service is available, and there’s a foreign exchange machine in the lobby. Refresh Rooms -- with walk-in showers, armchairs, phones, and flat-screen TVs -- can be rented by the hour. The chic business center has private booths with personal computers and printers. Loaner mobile chargers and iPod docks are available for free, and there’s free, fast Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.