Shiba Park Hotel (Review)
Homelike Hotel Near the Tokyo Tower
Shiba Park Hotel is a 3 stars accommodation near the Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward at the southern side of the Japanese capital’s center. Conveniently located near Haneda Airport and close to the center, this hotel is particularly suitable to families with children or senior travelers, and provides an international atmosphere that makes every body feel at home.
Located in a quiet street of Minato ward, in the south of the city center and close to Tokyo Bay, the Shiba Park Hotel 🏨 is a good address for any traveler arriving in Japan or going back home. The place is highly recommended for:
- Its convenient access to Haneda International Airport, with a direct Monorail trip from the neighboring Hamamatsucho station, or a 20 minutes’ taxi ride;
- Its central location to explore the capital, within walking distance to several stations of the metro or the Yamanote loop line; and,
- Its environment quiet enough for a restful stay. The neighborhood also has a large police station and a fire station, for an increased feeling of safety.
The Hotel is located in a highly urbanized area, close to the skyscrapers of Shiodome business district, and a stone’s throw away from popular green havens, like:
- Shiba Park, that is also home to Zojo-ji temple and is spreading at the foot of the iconic Tokyo Tower;
- Kyu Shiba-Rikyu and Hama-Rikyu, 2 elegant Japanese gardens dating back to the Edo period (1603 - 1868).
The Shiba Park Hotel is mostly aimed at international customers and especially families with kids or senior travelers, so it is easy to feel comfortable, all the more as the staff is very welcoming. The home-like atmosphere allows for friendly interactions that are made even easier through communications in English. The place is a poster child for omotenashi, the Japanese hospitality, and maintains its occupancy rate between 70% and 80% so as to preserve an ideal relationship with its customers.
A recent full interior renovation
Shiba Park Hotel’s 198 rooms have undergone a complete renovation between 2020 and 2023 and are now available in 7 categories: from the "standard" 3-star hotel room to the suite. Priority was given to functionality rather than aesthetics, namely:
- Rooms are spacious with a well-thought layout and superficies ranging from 21 to 44 sqm, which allows room to open a suitcase, then put it away. They also have a lounge or desk area;
- Large Western-style bedding, suitable for people of all body sizes;
- Quality toiletries that are also ecologically responsible;
- A big flat-screen TV;
- Socket outlets adapted to international visitors’ devices;
- Tea and coffee available, as well as a bottle of water upon arrival, and self-service fountains at every floor.
In the Japanese style, the bathroom 🛁 is usually suited with a private toilet 🚽 and even young children can use it easily. In the same idea, bunk beds are available in the Triple Rooms, to make the stay easier for families.
The shared spaces at the ground floor displays a new decoration themed on literature and fine books. The main staircase’s walls are covered in book shelves, and there is a fountain at the foot of the stairs. The hotel offers a selection of 1,500 books from the Ginza Tsutaya Books bookstore, that the hotel’s customers can browse either in one of the comfortable armchairs in the reception area, or in their room.
As for food, the Shiba Park Hotel has its own restaurant called The Dining, specializing in Japanese, Chinese and Western cuisines. Vegan options are also available, a variety of choices that can please pretty much everyone and all ages.
For example, the breakfast buffet is catered with:
- Bread, mini-viennoiseries, cereals;
- A salad bar sided with a charcuterie choice;
- Fresh seasonal fruits; and,
- A choice of warm dishes such as omelet, steamed vegetables, fish and bacon.
Everything is tasty and we recommend taking enough time to fully enjoy a hearty morning meal. Adults may even be offered a glass of champagne aside their tea or coffee!
The hotel’s only downside is that it doesn’t have a panoramic view on the capital despite its closeness to the Tokyo Tower 🗼: the buildings of Keio University’s Faculty of Pharmacy indeed block the view on Shiba Koen. Travelers who would like to enjoy a room with an unobstructed view on the surroundings are advised to book at the 4-stars Park Hotel Tokyo, operated by the same company than the Shiba Park Hotel and located only 10 minutes’ walk away towards Tokyo Bay.
