The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo

The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its exceptional service, convenient location, and tranquil atmosphere amidst the bustling city. It stands out as a sophisticated haven, particularly favored by business travelers and those seeking a quiet, refined stay.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stay as "excellent" or "outstanding." Reviewers frequently commend the hotel for its blend of modern elegance and warm hospitality, making it a highly recommended choice for both short and extended stays in Tokyo.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the following aspects of The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's professionalism, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond are frequently highlighted.
• Prime Location: Its direct connection to Shinagawa Station is a major draw, offering unparalleled accessibility to major transportation lines, including the Shinkansen and direct airport access.
• Tranquil Ambiance: Despite its central location, the hotel provides a calm and quiet environment, often described as an oasis. The seven-story atrium, filled with natural light and featuring a pond, contributes to this serene atmosphere.
• Stunning Views: Occupying the top floors of an office tower, the hotel boasts impressive city skyline views from its rooms and public areas.
• Modern Design: The hotel's style is quietly contemporary, with subdued expanses of wood and stone, offering a more modern yet livable aesthetic than traditional luxury hotels.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo are consistently described as spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed, especially for Tokyo standards.

• Design & Comfort: Rooms are decorated in browns and creams with rich wood finishes and sleek contemporary furnishings, creating a warm, calming, and luxurious ambiance. Guests particularly appreciate the plush pocket-coil mattresses for a restful night's sleep.
• Amenities: Standard room amenities include complimentary internet access, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, minibars (sometimes with complimentary drinks for elite members), coffee/tea makers, and high-quality toiletries. Bathrooms often feature both a shower and a bathtub, and some suites even include hot tubs.
• Views: All rooms are located on higher floors (from the 26th floor upwards), offering stunning city views, with corner rooms providing panoramic vistas.
• Spaciousness: Many guests note the generous size of the rooms, which can comfortably accommodate families with children, with king beds often large enough for two adults and two children.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a notable dining experience, particularly regarding its breakfast.

• Breakfast Buffet: The breakfast buffet, often served at the Italian Grill "Melodia" on the 26th floor, receives high praise for its quality, variety, and elegant setting with city views. It includes a wide selection of Western classics, traditional Japanese options, Chinese dishes like congee and dim sum, fresh pastries, and a live kitchen for made-to-order egg dishes. Some reviews highlight the attentive floor service during breakfast.
• Restaurants & Bars: The hotel features multiple dining options, including an Italian grill and a Cantonese restaurant called China Shadow. There's also the Bubbles Bar, a champagne bar on the 26th floor offering city skyline views. While in-hotel dining is appreciated, some guests note the abundance of external dining options in Tokyo.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is consistently rated as "superb" and a significant highlight of the guest experience.

• Professionalism & Courtesy: Staff members are frequently described as courteous, professional, friendly, and efficient.
• Attentiveness: Guests appreciate the attentive service, from bell staff greeting arrivals to prompt plate collection during breakfast.
• Problem Resolution: Even when issues arise, management is noted for being quick to resolve them and make amends.
• Multilingual Staff: The hotel employs multilingual staff, facilitating a smooth experience for international travelers.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a major advantage, offering exceptional convenience.

• Shinagawa Station Connection: The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is directly connected to Shinagawa Station via a pedestrian bridge. This makes it incredibly easy to access from both Narita and Haneda airports (via Narita Express and Keikyu Airport Express, respectively).
• Transportation Hub: Shinagawa Station is a major transportation hub for JR Lines, Shinkansen bullet trains (connecting to Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe), and the Keihin Electric Express Railway, providing excellent connectivity to various parts of Tokyo and beyond.
• Neighborhood: While Shinagawa is primarily a business district, its excellent transport links mean that tourist attractions like Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Odaiba, and Tsukiji Market are easily reachable. The area around Shinagawa Station also offers a wealth of dining options.

7. Value & Pricing

The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects that.

• Price Range: Room rates can vary significantly based on dates and room type, with average prices around $490/night, and deals starting from $205/night. Classic rooms might start around $251-$260, while luxury rooms or suites can range from $777 to over $900 per night.
• Value Perception: Many guests find the hotel to be excellent value for money, especially given the high quality of service and facilities. Some note that while the price can be on the higher side, the overall experience justifies the cost.

8. Common Complaints

While generally very positive, a few minor recurring points of criticism have been noted:

• No Pool/Limited Leisure Facilities: Some older reviews mention the absence of a swimming pool or a limited appeal of in-house dining options for casual meals, given Tokyo's extensive culinary scene. However, it does have a 24-hour fitness center with modern equipment and a steam room.
• Club Lounge Confusion: Some older reviews noted that "Club rooms" didn't always imply access to a dedicated club lounge, but newer information confirms that Premium Rooms with Lounge Access and suites do include access to the exclusive Club InterContinental Lounge.
• Minor Room/Bathroom Size: A few guests have mentioned that while rooms are generally spacious for Tokyo, the bathroom or sink area could be a bit on the smaller side in some room types.
• Breakfast Variety (Minor): One isolated review mentioned that the breakfast selection wasn't "very extensive", though the majority of feedback highly praises the breakfast.

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