This summer I traveled with the family to Japan. We visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Okinawa. This was a great trip and it all started in Tokyo. In Tokyo we stayed at the Hotel Toranomon Hills. This hotel seemed the perfect place to stay and we enjoyed a lot of things, however, there was one ‘detail’ which was an absolute disaster. In fact, I won’t come back to this hotel because of it! Please read below what that was so you don’t make the same mistake! Also please read my reviews of the Hyatt Place Kyoto – I also stayed last year – the JW Marriott in Nara and the Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa. I’ll post these reviews in the next couple of weeks.
Hotel Location
When I booked the hotel online, I was under the impression that the Hotel Toranomon Hills was next to the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. When we arrived at the Narita Airport, I therefore booked the Airport Limousine Bus to the Andaz Tokyo hotel. Very convenient since the Airport Limousine Bus stops right in front of the Andaz. However, when we got out of the bus, I didn’t immediately spotted the Toranomon Hills Hotel. The doorman at the Andaz hotel pointed us to the right direction, but we were still really struggling finding the hotel. With the help of Google Maps we were finally able to find the hotel. But this was a lot more difficult than I initially expected and the hotel is definitely not a few footsteps away from the Andaz. More like a 10 minute walk, if you know the direction. There is an underground passage from the Ginza line to the Hibiya Line, which you can also use to go from the Andaz hotel to the Toranomon Hills Hotel.
Check-in Experience
There is not really a hotel lobby in the Toranomon Hills Hotel. Instead, there is a bar area (Le Pristine Cafe Tokyo) that serves all day bar food. In the corner, there is a small check-in area.
I booked the hotel more than 6 months in advance and booked 2 rooms with the request for connecting rooms. I booked one corner suite – using a suite award – and a twin bed room. After booking, I learned that these 2 types of rooms couldn’t be connected. However, the hotel would do its best to make sure that the 2 rooms were next to each other.
Checking in didn’t go that well though. The 2 rooms were not next to each other – yes, they were on the same floor but certainly not next to each other, not even close. That was quite disappointing. However, we were tired, jet-lagged and we just wanted to get to our room and have something to eat. I asked if we needed to make a reservation for the on-site restaurant ‘Le Pristine Restaurant Tokyo’. That was unfortunately not possible since the restaurant was closed that night for guests. Instead, it was reserved for an event… The only option left was the bar area. Not the arrival experience I expected. Things would get worse though. A lot worse…
Corner Suite
When we entered the corner suite of the Toranomon Hills Tokyo, we briefly forgot about the check-in experience. The suite was really nice and spacious – especially for Tokyo! Very tasteful interior design and great views. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a direct view onto the Tokyo Tower – for that we had to go to the Lounge.
The bathroom didn’t disappoint with a separate shower and bath. So after we got a quick bite at the bar, it was time to get to sleep.
That didn’t go well. Some background. We visited Tokyo at the end of July, beginning of August, thus the middle of summer. That meant, 35C most of the days. Luckily the hotel had a good airconditioning.
Cracking & Popping
But shortly after we went to bed, I started to hear cracking noises. Quite loud and frequent! That meant, every few minutes, a really loud popping or cracking sound. Initially I expected some guests next door were doing some strange things in their room but the noise came from all directions. From above, below, left and right. Hoping things would get better, I tried to go back to sleep, but the noise continued throughout the night. Every time I almost was dozing off, a loud cracking noise woke me straight up again. When the sun finally came up, I hadn’t slept all night. This was a disaster!
I went down to the reception to ask if they knew what was going on. They immediately recognized the issue. It was the thermal expansion of the glass walls, making these popping noises. Apparently, extreme summer heath waves place intense physical stress on large glass curtain walls, causing glass cracking noises. It was a well known issue of the modern high-rise Toranomon Hills complex.
I stayed in hotels before during heath waves, but I never experienced this kind of sound effect. So I immediately stated that it was probably best to check out and find another hotel. The person at the reception stated that that was not necessary and that they would move us to another part of the hotel. I also complained about the 2 rooms I booked which weren’t close to each other, so if they would move us, they better make sure we have 2 rooms next to each other. I didn’t even care about the suite anymore; as long as we could get two quiet rooms next to each other.
Later that day, we got 2 different rooms. Suddenly it was now possible to get 2 rooms next to each other, even with one room being a suite and the other room being a double bed… During the next couple of nights, we still heard the glass cracking but during the night it wasn’t that bad. Certainly a lot better than in the other rooms.
Breakfast
Breakfast takes place at the Restaurant. There are some a-la-carte options – which you need to order via your phone – and there is a buffet. The buffet isn’t very extensive, with limited Asian options, but the quality is very good and at least, we enjoyed that!
Conclusion
I never experienced these loud glass cracking noises in a building and you would assume something is not right with these buildings. Check-in experience wasn’t that great but the frequent, loud popping and cracking noises during the night, for sure prevents me coming back to this hotel. It’s a pity, because the area itself is very convenient to explore Tokyo. Also the rooms – even the regular rooms – are spacious and nicely decorated. But trying to sleep while it seems you’re next to a shooting alley, isn’t that great.
Also have a look at my Youtube channel! When you’re considering traveling to Japan, have a look at my video of ANA The Room; in my opinion the best way to travel to Japan!
When you’re considering to stay near Tokyo Bar, have a look at my review of the Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay.
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