Checks into JAL Tokyo Haneda West Wing, in Tokyo, Japan
Shoba Pillai
Getting there: I arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport on a Monday night, caught an airport bus to Haneda Airport and then the hotel’s courtesy transfer bus. Very convenient, even if it was a little tricky to locate the bus terminal due to lack of English signage. Japanese chaps made it fun and easy to get directions though.
Check-in experience: Seamless and done in a flash. The entrance was bright, modern and spotless, and a delightfully friendly front-desk clerk explained everything I needed to know for my early departure including the breakfast (from 4am, no less), the airport transfer, and suggested a wake-up call too — much needed for a 6am departure the next morning.
Location: About 15 minutes by bus from Haneda Airport. A short walk will take you to a metro station, and 40 minutes later, you’ll be in the heart of central Tokyo.
The Room: Comfortable double room but as with most
rooms in Tokyo, it was compact at 16sq m. The bed was pushed against the wall, and beside it was a small desk and a tiny closet. A large window bordered one side of the room, revealing a rather unremarkable view of the back streets. There was an air conditioner and a dehumidifier. The room was wonderfully clean, sterilised further with the Vetiver essential oil sanitiser provided for my (over)spraying pleasure.
Bathroom: Small, tidy and well equipped with the usual amenities. There was a shower over a small bath. The shower head was rather fancy and produced great pressure. Like most in Japan, the toilet had all the bells and whistles: a heated seat, bottom-washing jet streams and sound effects that made the morning job very entertaining.
Toiletries: A nice selection of Shiseido-branded bodywash, shampoo and conditioner, all of which smelled divine. After my shower, I hopped into the crisp white pyjamas provided, which felt oh-so-good.
The bed: A small double bed that’s ample for one, or intimate for two. The bed had beautiful thick cotton sheets, a firm but soft mattress and fantastic pillows. Slept very well that night.