- Introduction: Flying Halfway Around The World For Half A Day
- Review: China Airlines Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles To Taipei
- Review: China Airlines Lounge Taipei
- Review: China Airlines Business Class A330 Taipei To Singapore
- Review: Singapore Changi Airport Transit Hotel
- Review: British Airways Lounge Singapore
- Review: SATS Premier Lounge Singapore
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 767 Singapore To Tokyo
- Review: Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777 Tokyo To San Francisco
This stay was doomed from before I ever visited, I suppose. My flight from Singapore landed at Haneda Airport at around 10AM, while my flight to San Francisco was departing at midnight, leaving me with 14 hours. I was mostly staying on US time on this quick trip, as I had worked for a majority of the redeye, and wanted to sleep for a bit during my layover.
There’s a hotel connected to the international terminal at Haneda Airport, called The Royal Park Hotel. I had emailed them in advance to ask if they sell day rooms, and they indicated that they didn’t:
Unfortunately, we do not have day use service for the room.
If you want to stay our hotel, you need to make your reservation for 1 night.Our hotel’s regular check-in starts from 03:00 pm.
Therefore should you wish to early checking-in as guarantee, additional charge will be necessary.We appreciate your understanding.
Should you have any other inquiry please let us know again.
As I wrote about in a previous post, I find that to be incredibly bizarre, as I don’t remember ever visiting an airport hotel where you couldn’t book a day room. It’s a win-win, as it allows the hotel to sell a room twice in one day, in many instances (given that many people check into airport hotels late at night).
Several readers reassured me that I’d be able to work something out upon arriving at the hotel, though, and that the hotel simply doesn’t allow advance booking of day rooms. For example:
I’ve had no issues working it out with this hotel on arrival at HND. I’ve done it a dozen times.
And:
That’s not right. You can get a day room there, you just show up and work in out with them. I’ve done it many times. They just don’t book then in advanced. I actually got a day room during a 6 hour layover last week.
Okay, so I figured I’d try to work it out with them on arrival. I cleared immigration, which was an efficient process. Once in the arrivals hall I took the elevator up a level to the departures hall.
Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal
Once there, I walked to the far end of the hallway, where I saw signage for the airport hotel.
Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal
Past the “L” check-in area I turned right, and then at the end of the hallway I turned left.
Direction to Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
I walked down a long hallway and past an escalator.
Direction to Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
There I found myself entering The Royal Park Hotel Haneda.
Entrance to Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
I turned right again, where I saw the hotel’s restaurant, and then left again to enter the lobby of the hotel.
Entrance to Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
I approached the reception desk, and explained my situation, showing both my arriving and departing boarding passes. I then experienced my least favorite part of Japanese hospitality — inflexibility and the inability to apply logic to a situation.
I won’t recap it all here, so see my previous post for an explanation of how they ended up charging me not only for a full night, but also for early check-in.
When I later wrote about the situation, some pointed out that there’s a part of the hotel’s website that indicated they had transit rooms, actually located airside.
Could I have found that area of the website? Presumably so, though I did look around the website for a while prior to my stay, and couldn’t find it.
But beyond that, I received misinformation from the hotel twice:
- I emailed the hotel in advance to ask if they offer transit rooms for day layovers, and they said they didn’t
- At check-in when I asked for a day room and showed my boarding passes, one of the four associates who got involved in my situation could have perhaps pointed out that there’s an option that offers exactly what I was looking for
So yes, I could have prevented this situation if I had researched a bit more closely, but I also think it’s completely unacceptable when a hotel gives you misinformation twice. If I email a hotel’s reservations email and they tell me they don’t have transit day rooms, I assume that’s correct. And it certainly won’t stop me from calling them out online for the horrible service they provided.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda lobby
I took the elevator up to the fourth floor, where my room (which was costing me an arm and a leg) was located.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda hallway
The room was a decent size, though extremely dated.
There was an entryway with a bathroom to the left.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room entryway
The rest of the room was straight ahead, and consisted of two twin beds.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room
There was also a TV across from the beds, as well as a desk.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room desk
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room
Then in the corner of the room was a chair with a table that looked like a globe (which was perhaps the only furniture in the room that wasn’t actively hideous).
Royal Park Hotel Haneda room sitting area
The bathroom was small but functional, with a sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda bathroom
Royal Park Hotel Haneda shower
The bathtub was located in the same “room” as the shower.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda bathtub
The room had a good number of amenities.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda toiletries
Toiletries were in reusable bottles, though seemed to be fairly high quality.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda toiletries
My room looked out over a parking lot, so there wasn’t much noise from the outside. However, the walls in this hotel were paper thin, so I did hear a lot from within the hotel.
Royal Park Hotel Haneda view
While I was dead tired, I really struggled to sleep. The Brexit announcement came out around this time, so watching that kept me awake. Eventually I decided to go to the awesome observation deck at Haneda Airport, which was just a short walk away. Fortunately in the late afternoon I finally managed to get some sleep, and eventually checked out at around 8PM.
Haneda Airport Hotel bottom line
On the plus side, this hotel couldn’t be more convenient for flights departing Haneda Airport, given that it’s literally connected to the international terminal.
That’s about the only good thing I have to say about the hotel. The hotel is expensive, the rooms are dated, and the staff were incredibly unhelpful. I wanted a day room, and after two interactions with them, they claimed that didn’t exist, even though it apparently does (just in a different part of the hotel). So I couldn’t recommend this place, and certainly wouldn’t return myself on principle.
Next time, take a taxi or shuttle over to the JAL City or MyStays or any one of the several quite serviceable and inexpensive recent-build airport hotels. The ride takes maybe 30-40 minutes round trip for maybe a third of the price. For a decent layover it's a no-brainer.
I really like this hotel and the general airport setting. Comfortable bit small rooms. Very good options for dining in airport. Hotel situated right at the departure security line and only a moderate ride to Tokyo.
"we" might not like it BUT charging for an early check in is normal in Asia.
Asia and Japan are countries of "Dakara" (because). It is what it is - no explanation given.
Hey Sam, downloaded Pokémon Go yet?
For all those people who always automatically jump to lucky's defence in the face of any criticism, I hope they can finally see from this "review" how churlish and childish he can be.
How is there a large empty parking lot in the daytime surrounded by empty roads dead center on the waterfront in the world's largest city? That photo should not be possible in a rational universe.
don't complain about this hotel. it actually looks quite nice and is new at least. Try the Narita Hilton, now THAT's a hideous hotel !
Ha! an angry report. The Royal Park Hotel THE Haneda (Japanese Engrish) has its transit portion of the hotel airside. The transit portion even offers a lounge with snacks. The entire hotel opened in October 2015 (my first stay) and is relatively new. You were actually lucky to have airside access because the hotel options are much cheaper (under different laws/rules) - including First Cabin.
The outside/landside hotel portion does give you access to all...
Ha! an angry report. The Royal Park Hotel THE Haneda (Japanese Engrish) has its transit portion of the hotel airside. The transit portion even offers a lounge with snacks. The entire hotel opened in October 2015 (my first stay) and is relatively new. You were actually lucky to have airside access because the hotel options are much cheaper (under different laws/rules) - including First Cabin.
The outside/landside hotel portion does give you access to all the restaurants in the international terminal and the huge roof observation deck of the airport. The staff of this main (much larger) section of the hotel you stayed in are probably walled off from the airside staff and only think in terms of typical Tokyo City hotel rules. "Day rooms" are not sold on the landside (major) portion of this hotel. But you should have asked for an airport view room (on the top floor) for what you paid. While gougingly expensive (and usually full), its been great for early morning departures. Also for early morning arguments with ANA’s staff on why I can’t use their First Square lounge when I’m flying on a first class round trip that only offers business class on inter-Asian flights.
Don't think the rooms look dated. If you try (not even hard) you can find far more dated (and smaller) rooms in Japan.
They informed you beforehand they did not offer day rooms and when you showed up they did not offer day rooms. I understand you hoped other wise, based on second hand sources, but they did not tell you otherwise.
Not the most unbiased review you have written, I like those reviews better.
It's probably important to also mention that like a lot of hotel staff in countries where English is not the first language, front line hospitality staff are generally never truly fluent in English but rather get by on a much more limited basic phrase based piecemeal understanding (tourism English).
So while standard and expected transactions/interactions can go without a hitch, anything unusual or unexpected gets lost in translation. This means you often need to take...
It's probably important to also mention that like a lot of hotel staff in countries where English is not the first language, front line hospitality staff are generally never truly fluent in English but rather get by on a much more limited basic phrase based piecemeal understanding (tourism English).
So while standard and expected transactions/interactions can go without a hitch, anything unusual or unexpected gets lost in translation. This means you often need to take this into account, and plan and research acordingly.
Standing up a bit for Lucky here (i know Lucky sometimes overindulges , and i do give him an occasional jab here), but in this case, even after all the comments here, i am supporting Lucky largely.
A few things:
Lucky was charged a full day's rate despite the agent knowing he is not staying overnight. Thats still fine, while this is a very high rate. But the agent insistence to charge him extras...
Standing up a bit for Lucky here (i know Lucky sometimes overindulges , and i do give him an occasional jab here), but in this case, even after all the comments here, i am supporting Lucky largely.
A few things:
Lucky was charged a full day's rate despite the agent knowing he is not staying overnight. Thats still fine, while this is a very high rate. But the agent insistence to charge him extras on top of a full day's rate despite knowing he is not staying overnight just because he is checking in slightly ahead of official check-in time, is too much.
Either it was robotic service or opportunistic exploitation. While i guess business do that sometimes, Lucky called out the hotel for that and at least everyone here reads this n will be extra careful in dealing with the hotel. There is value in Lucky's post here.
Could Lucky's perspection of the hotel be biased because of his experience. Probably. When one is very upset, we tend to perceive even the better aspects on a lower level. Lucky is only human in this area. Perhaps the rooms are not that dated. Its relative. It probably is not new either. Is Lucky too much to call them dated? Maybe. But from the overall situation, i can understand he will be less sympathetic to the room condition. (Its relative to the price u charged. If the rate is so high, the expectations will be higher too)
Finally, Lucky is experienced in booking hotels, and probably more experienced than most here. He missed the transit hotel completely. It either was not clear enough or he had an off day. He did write to the hotel but they did not want to guide him to the transit hotel. Instead, the reply set him to the path of non-transit hotel. Lucky is a very experienced traveller n for him to end up with such a situation (bad rate mistake), the hotel did its part to be unhelpful.
We can fault Lucky for some of his failings here, but if the hotel had been helpful in 1 or 2 areas (at least not charge extras on top of a full day's rate, or suggest the transit hotel link), i may be more neutral in my views on both parties. Lucky got hit big time here. Yes part of it is perhaps his fault. But the hotel played a huge role in it.
@tutti fruits - ur comments reflect on u more than Lucky. Be constructive if u want to criticise.
@lucky
There is a transit hotel, but it is just shown in their japanese website.
http://www.rph-the.co.jp/haneda/transit/
It is quite common that the english version one has less information then the original japanese website in all tourism and hospitality industry.
This snarky revenge type post was pretty disappointing when you you first posted about it the other week, I think it reflects very badly that you gave it a second airing without reflecting on why it was inappropriate the first time (you can understand being "tired and emotional" when snapping off an ill-thought out spew at the time of the event, but after a couple of days you do hope that self-reflection kicks in).
You...
This snarky revenge type post was pretty disappointing when you you first posted about it the other week, I think it reflects very badly that you gave it a second airing without reflecting on why it was inappropriate the first time (you can understand being "tired and emotional" when snapping off an ill-thought out spew at the time of the event, but after a couple of days you do hope that self-reflection kicks in).
You got things wrong because you had poorly planned your stay, but instead of just taking it as a lesson to just not wing and a prayer it in future, you vent anger at a fairly blameless hotel and it's staff.
All you had to do was read their web page before you arrived, to realise you shouldn't have cleared airside and needed to use the transit hotel, not the landside hotel (and even in your mistake, you should have and could have known you could use any of the off-airport hotels instead easy enough).
I can't help but wonder if this repeat of a storm in a teacup is really just clickbait, given clickbait is often all sound and fury, signifying nothing...
This blog has previously been much better than this.
Sorry the room is not dated in any standards.
I understand your point. While like the rest said I don't agree the room looking "extremely dated", the hotel should have advised you about the transit area being the same hotel, and I'd feel the same way cheated as you are. I've actually shared this and your previous article to the hotel writing in Japanese (I know, totally unnecessary but I don't like things like this to happen and giving a wrong impression about my...
I understand your point. While like the rest said I don't agree the room looking "extremely dated", the hotel should have advised you about the transit area being the same hotel, and I'd feel the same way cheated as you are. I've actually shared this and your previous article to the hotel writing in Japanese (I know, totally unnecessary but I don't like things like this to happen and giving a wrong impression about my country), and let's see if there is any further development.
Hi Ben,
If you arrived at 10am, should have done yourself a favour and go to better hotels in Tokyo.
300 USD on that isn't a price to pay, and even really expensive on Japanese standards.
Unfortunate, but thanks for the heads up to not stay there.
Again, I think this is an example of the entitlement - or maybe just the 1%ism (how does a post about NYE dinner in Maldives relate to many of the blog readers who will never do something so lavish and expensive) - that has started to creep up on the blog. It's great you are becoming so successful, but watch the tone at times.
but you didn't mention the Japanese wonder toilet--Washlet 350e
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/04/toto_washlet_s350e_the_incredible_japanese_wonder_toilet_that_will_change.html
Have to agree with @Live4Sights and @travel4b on this one too, Lucky.
I really enjoy your blog and am constantly amazed how level-headed you are in your posts and replies. Many times, I think I get angrier than you at some of the trolls posting on your blog. In this instance though, I don't see what's "extremely dated" or "actively hideous" about the hotel.
I get that the room charges were excessive, given the situation,...
Have to agree with @Live4Sights and @travel4b on this one too, Lucky.
I really enjoy your blog and am constantly amazed how level-headed you are in your posts and replies. Many times, I think I get angrier than you at some of the trolls posting on your blog. In this instance though, I don't see what's "extremely dated" or "actively hideous" about the hotel.
I get that the room charges were excessive, given the situation, but part of that is your own fault for assuming the hotel would be flexible in dealing with you.
Anyways, continue your travels and keep the great reviews/advice coming. Hope you are not getting jaded or "burned out" since this post seems really out of character.
You know what I hate? In any post in which Lucky either makes some sort of mistake, or criticizes an airline or a hotel (which are fairly rare by the way -- he's very fair and virtually never pans anyone) all these people come out to either explain patronizingly why he's dumb and shouldn't have made that mistake, or why he's a spoiled little asshole who should be happy he has a great life and...
You know what I hate? In any post in which Lucky either makes some sort of mistake, or criticizes an airline or a hotel (which are fairly rare by the way -- he's very fair and virtually never pans anyone) all these people come out to either explain patronizingly why he's dumb and shouldn't have made that mistake, or why he's a spoiled little asshole who should be happy he has a great life and never criticize anything -- ever -- even though it's his job.
He is very clear in outlining his thought process, admitting what are his errors (and, from the sound of it, misleading advice from commenters) and what he feels are the hotel's errors. And yet people just can't wait to explain why he's wrong. And a dick.
Sorry you experienced difficulty with the Royal Park Hotel at Haneda. I visited the RPH Shiodome in Tokyo Tuesday and was warmly welcomed, then, to my gleeful surprise, given an upgrade (on a Hotels.com booking) with a nice view. I kindly asked the Receptionist if she would place a reservation for my return Hotel Limousine Bus back to Narita the following afternoon, as reservations are unavailable at the airport within a 24 hour window (okay,...
Sorry you experienced difficulty with the Royal Park Hotel at Haneda. I visited the RPH Shiodome in Tokyo Tuesday and was warmly welcomed, then, to my gleeful surprise, given an upgrade (on a Hotels.com booking) with a nice view. I kindly asked the Receptionist if she would place a reservation for my return Hotel Limousine Bus back to Narita the following afternoon, as reservations are unavailable at the airport within a 24 hour window (okay, THEY may have shown inflexibility ;-) She eagerly agreed to do so and, proactively, offered a late checkout of 2:00p, to coincide with my departure. My small hotel room - with dark woods but more updated-looking than yours at HND - was nevertheless delightful. I'd surely stay there without hesitation.
yoi could try this place out next time (Haneda T1 is one of their locations), I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on it: http://www.first-cabin.jp.e.jr.hp.transer.com/sp/
Think you're being a little too quick to judge and condemn...
The email miscommunication could have been due to language differences and/or inexperience. And perhaps since the staff working the "hotel" don't work in the "transit" area...they were unfamiliar with it or assumed since you were landside you couldn't access the sterile area again. And, technically, the clerk was correct, as there are no day rooms in that location.
I glanced at the website....
Think you're being a little too quick to judge and condemn...
The email miscommunication could have been due to language differences and/or inexperience. And perhaps since the staff working the "hotel" don't work in the "transit" area...they were unfamiliar with it or assumed since you were landside you couldn't access the sterile area again. And, technically, the clerk was correct, as there are no day rooms in that location.
I glanced at the website. One of the links near the very top of the page is "transit". And if you scroll down a page there's a whole bigger link to the Haneda Royal Park Hotel Transit. Seems pretty obvious.
But guess you're going to hold a grudge for whatever reason. :/
@Sam - Spoken like a real Ugly American
Sorry, Ben, but I feel the need to question you on this one. When you follow the link to the hotel website it's pretty darn hard to miss the section that says "transit area" and quickly follow it to make a reservation for a day room. Add to that the fact that several comments on your original post reiterated the availability of day rooms. "Extremely dated"? "Actively hideous"? Really? Based on the photos that's a...
Sorry, Ben, but I feel the need to question you on this one. When you follow the link to the hotel website it's pretty darn hard to miss the section that says "transit area" and quickly follow it to make a reservation for a day room. Add to that the fact that several comments on your original post reiterated the availability of day rooms. "Extremely dated"? "Actively hideous"? Really? Based on the photos that's a little over the top. I don't see the need to trash the hotel with this online review; a little personal accountability would go a long way. Instead, this just comes across as wanting to get even.
@ Sam-a truly ignorant comment. One can criticize the Japanese culture without sounding like a total idiot.
Sorry Ben ignore my comment! i can see that you know that now. They should have told you that when you contacted them and at the desk.
Hi Ben
Don't they have a transit area that you can stay in? It seems so from the website. http://www.rph-the.co.jp/haneda/en/transit/
Sorry to hear you got a raw deal, Ben. But in life, you win some and you lose some. Consider this a life lesson and thank you for sharing your experience with everyone.
1 small critique - be careful of sounding like a vindictive ass if things didn't go your way. We all have to accept that things don't always go our way all the time and I'm sure you're aware of that too. Your...
Sorry to hear you got a raw deal, Ben. But in life, you win some and you lose some. Consider this a life lesson and thank you for sharing your experience with everyone.
1 small critique - be careful of sounding like a vindictive ass if things didn't go your way. We all have to accept that things don't always go our way all the time and I'm sure you're aware of that too. Your criticism of the room being dated seem way off base to me and sounded like sour grapes.
Still... keep up the good work and ignore the moronic commentators who don't add anything of substance other than make an idiot of themselves.
BTW... if I had a long layover in Haneda airport, I would have stayed at the First Cabin capsule hotel - just for the fun of it. It may not be your cup of tea but I would have loved to try it out. Maybe the next time I'm in Haneda airport and need a short stay.
u mad @tutti fruits?
LOL "dated" and "actively hideous"? Don't let your opinion of the staff give a blatantly angry review of the entire hotel. That room, from the photos, is just like any other modern, subdued business-oriented hotel room. Hideous is subjective, but dated? Look at the fixtures, the television, and basically anything except for the globe table (the one thing you liked--I guess we know you've really got a sense of style if that's the feature that...
LOL "dated" and "actively hideous"? Don't let your opinion of the staff give a blatantly angry review of the entire hotel. That room, from the photos, is just like any other modern, subdued business-oriented hotel room. Hideous is subjective, but dated? Look at the fixtures, the television, and basically anything except for the globe table (the one thing you liked--I guess we know you've really got a sense of style if that's the feature that caught your eye), pretty much everything in that room was reasonably up to date and modern in appearance, even the wallpaper pattern. Try not to act like such a jackwagon when shit goes wrong. I get it the staff were an issue, don't ruin the remainder of the review by allowing that to taint your optics for the entire stay. The marks of a bad reviewer, big, because he got in at the right time.
@Sam. Someone sounds pretty xenophobic and jealous. Japan is not innovative? lol
It was the pillows that gave you the hard sleep. I can't stand those pillows that try to substitute themselves as two pillows. I first used them over a decade ago at the Comfort Inns based throughout Tokyo (including Narita) and Osaka. Never liked them. One of those pillows is not enough---I end up sleeping on my bag or rolled up jacket under their ONE pillow which did the sleep trick. The JAL City Hotel...
It was the pillows that gave you the hard sleep. I can't stand those pillows that try to substitute themselves as two pillows. I first used them over a decade ago at the Comfort Inns based throughout Tokyo (including Narita) and Osaka. Never liked them. One of those pillows is not enough---I end up sleeping on my bag or rolled up jacket under their ONE pillow which did the sleep trick. The JAL City Hotel nearby HND also has one pillow---the newer ones that are foam rubber (Comfort Inn has those too), but without that tucked gravel in the ones shown in your pictures.
They must have known this as you are a foreigner; hence, two beds, two pillows, thus no complaints. But if you are "deep Japan", they'll give you one bed, one pillow, a sink whose faucet is also part of the deep bathtub/shower, although maybe an extra dried coffee packet (which are delicious), a green tea packet, a humidifier, and really good service when asking for something....that sort of thing. お疲れ様でした。
I'm surprised they would charge you for early check in if the room you were buying for a night was ready - after all it doesn't cost them anything extra whether you check in at 8 am or 3 pm because the room is ready anyway. I always ask for early check in if I arrive in the morning - sometimes I get it and sometimes I don't. But I've never had to pay extra...
I'm surprised they would charge you for early check in if the room you were buying for a night was ready - after all it doesn't cost them anything extra whether you check in at 8 am or 3 pm because the room is ready anyway. I always ask for early check in if I arrive in the morning - sometimes I get it and sometimes I don't. But I've never had to pay extra when a room just happens to be ready. Some hotels offer it in advance and then there is a charge because they have to ready the room out of sequence and there is a cost associated with it.
Yup, you just about summed it up.
Japan is stupid.
The only thing they do is copy ideas from other countries.
No innovation at all.
They're just robots, if you like that sort of thing.
Looking at the photographs, I'm not sure if I'd describe the room as "dated" aside from the wallpaper and that odd glass table. The rest of the fixtures and furniture seem to fit the dark, subdued, modern aesthetic that has been getting more popular lately. Probably not intentional, but better than some of the chintzier looks that have aged much more poorly. It certainly seems a bit less dated than, say, the Park Hyatt Tokyo,...
Looking at the photographs, I'm not sure if I'd describe the room as "dated" aside from the wallpaper and that odd glass table. The rest of the fixtures and furniture seem to fit the dark, subdued, modern aesthetic that has been getting more popular lately. Probably not intentional, but better than some of the chintzier looks that have aged much more poorly. It certainly seems a bit less dated than, say, the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which desperately needs a facelift to bring it into line with the other Hyatts in Tokyo. But I don't know if there's anything I'm missing that I would have noticed if I had been there.
I had a great stay there. I agree they shouldn't have charged extra given you didn't even stay 1 night. My room wa spotless and didn't appear dated . One thing you didn't mention (and rarely review in your hotel reviews ) was the water pressure. I LOVED the showers. After a long flight , nothing beats a shower with awesome water pressure !