the intercontinental, Tokyo.

The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo, Japan: A Stay I'd Happily Repeat

Tokyo has no shortage of luxury hotels, so choosing where to stay can feel overwhelming. For our trip, we booked a Club Room at The Strings by InterContinental, and by the time we checked out, I genuinely wished we were staying longer.

One of the biggest advantages of booking a Club Room was how smooth the experience felt from the moment we arrived. Club guests have a dedicated check-in and check-out area, which meant we avoided the busy main reception entirely. After a long journey, being welcomed into a quieter space with attentive staff immediately set the tone for the rest of our stay.

Our room was generously sized by Tokyo standards and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The amenities felt well thought out rather than excessive, but one detail I particularly loved was the traditional Japanese bath robes. They were a lovely nod to local culture and quickly became something I looked forward to putting on each evening after exploring the city.

The Club Lounge was one of the highlights of staying here. Breakfast each morning was relaxed, with a good selection of both Japanese and Western options, making it easy to start the day without feeling rushed. Returning in the afternoon for an afternoon tea became a welcome break after walking around Tokyo, and the evening cocktail service was excellent. The drinks menu offered plenty of choice, while the canapés were substantial enough that on some evenings we barely needed dinner afterwards. It never felt overcrowded, and the atmosphere struck a nice balance between being refined and comfortable.

Location is often the deciding factor when visiting Tokyo, and this is where The Strings really stands out. The hotel is directly connected to Shinagawa Station, making it incredibly easy to travel across the city. Whether we were heading to Shibuya, Ginza or catching the Shinkansen for a day trip, everything felt straightforward. Having the metro and rail network quite literally on your doorstep saved time every single day and made getting around far less daunting than we had expected.

Food throughout the stay was consistently excellent. From breakfast to the evening canapés, everything felt fresh and well prepared, and there was enough variety that it never became repetitive. The cocktail selection also deserves a mention, with plenty of options beyond the usual classics.

What stayed with me most wasn't one standout feature, but how effortless the whole experience felt. Every part of the stay was easy, comfortable and well organised, allowing us to spend our time enjoying Tokyo rather than thinking about logistics.

Would I stay again?

Without hesitation, yes.

The combination of spacious rooms, an excellent Club Lounge, outstanding transport links and consistently good food made this one of those hotels that becomes part of the holiday rather than simply somewhere to sleep. If you're planning a trip to Tokyo and are considering upgrading to a Club Room, I'd say it's well worth it. It elevated the entire experience, and by the end of our stay, checking out was the only part I didn't enjoy.

Quick Verdict

Best for:
Couples, first-time visitors to Tokyo and anyone wanting a luxury base with exceptional transport connections.

Worth the money?
Absolutely. While Club Rooms come at a premium, the dedicated check-in, daily breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés added genuine value to our stay. Combined with the spacious rooms and unbeatable location, it felt like money well spent rather than an unnecessary upgrade.

Would I stay again?
Without hesitation. The combination of comfort, convenience and excellent Club Lounge benefits made this one of those hotels that quickly felt like home. If I returned to Tokyo, I wouldn't spend much time looking elsewhere.

Overall Luxury Rating

★★★★★ (5/5)

The Strings by InterContinental delivers where it matters most. It doesn't rely on extravagance or spectacle—instead, it offers thoughtful luxury, excellent food, spacious accommodation and one of the most convenient locations in Tokyo. It's the sort of hotel that quietly gets everything right.

Some hotels are simply somewhere to stay while you explore a city. The Strings became one of the reasons I'd want to return to Tokyo.