Our second stay in Tokyo!
We found these very moderately priced premium economy tickets for an Air France flight from Paris to Tokyo and back, and we decided to just go for it.
Last time we stayed at the Park Hotel, this time we fancied booking an apartment. After browsing all options on Booking.com, the Oakwood Premier Tokyo felt like our best bet.
This luxury serviced apartment hotel is located just a 2-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, making it easy to access anywhere in the city and beyond.
What did we think of our 6 day stay here?
Let us walk you through our experiences, what we liked and perhaps disliked, and whether we would recommend Oakwood Premier Tokyo for your next trip to Tokyo or not.
Let’s go!
Location
The Oakwood Premier Tokyo is strategically located in the business hub of Marunouchi, next to JR Tokyo Station’s Yaesu North Exit.
This means that you can easily access any part of the city by train, subway, bus or taxi. You can also walk to some of the popular attractions in the area, such as:
– The Imperial East Gardens, where you can enjoy the scenic views of the palace grounds and the moat
– The Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can sample some of the freshest seafood and sushi
– The Ginza Shopping District, where you can shop for luxury brands and trendy items
Oakwood Premier Tokyo is also close to many restaurants, cafes, bars and many supermarkets that cater to different tastes and budgets.
Video
We made a video of our apartment in the Oakwood Premier Tokyo Hotel.
You can watch it here:
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Leave Tokyo Station and choose the Yaesu North Exit.
Once outside, go to the left and walk about a minute until you reach the Tekko Building.
Right there is a sign pointing you to the Oakwood Premier Tokyo. The arrows on the sign are a bit confusing: you should stay on this level, don’t go up the stairs. Keep walking in the direction the lady in the white coat is walking in on the picture – until you reach the glass sliding doors. Immediately on your right is a Lawson convenience store, and right opposite on your left is the hotel’s entrance.
Open the glass door using your room key, or press the button and call the Oakwood Premier Tokyo reception desk if you are checking in.
Once you are inside, take one of the elevators on your right to level L where the Oakwood Premier Tokyo lobby and reception area is.
Reception
The 24-hour front desk that can assist you with any inquiries, requests, restaurant and taxi reservations and local recommendations.
It is about 2:15pm when we check in, three receptionists welcome us.
Our room has already been paid for online, we only need to settle the tourist day tax which is about 18 USD for 2 people for 6 nights.
We are shocked though when one receptionist tells us that check in only starts at 3pm and we have to pay an ‘early check in fee’ – unless we are ASR members. Ridiculous.
We get that if you arrive on an early flight, and want to check in at 8am for instance after a long trip that paying an early check in fee is perfectly understandable. But it is 2:15pm, 45 minutes before check in time. And our suite is ready, because we confirm that we are ASR members and immediately get our room keys when we show our ASR client number. A number no one even writes down or checks by the way. Highly unprofessional.
It is way more client friendly and professional to say: check in only starts at 3pm, you are just a bit early but your room is ready anyway so no worries. Which is the standard response in hotels all over the world.
Fortunately that is the only issue we experience during our stay at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo.
So, our advice is clear: join the ASR client program when you book a room at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo, it is free!
Residents lounge, bar and breakfast room
The lounge is open from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm and offers complimentary flavoured water, coffee and tea. In the evening soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are also served.
A breakfast buffet is served daily in the lounge from 6:30am until 10am on weekdays and on weekends and public holidays from 7am until 11am.
Breakfast at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo costs 28 USD per adult, 15 USD for 6 to 12 year olds, children under 5 year eat free. The buffet offers classic items such as sliced cheese and charcuterie, fruits, coffee, tea, juices, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, bread and pastries.
We always had breakfast in our apartment, and even if we would not have had a kitchen we still would have preferred to go out for breakfast.
The price is quite steep plus the fact that you can easily find a bite to eat in and around Tokyo station for less than half of that price. We would always leave the hotel around 9am and only saw 4 people have breakfast here during our 6 day stay.
The Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Oakwood Premier Tokyo has 120 apartments on the upper floors of a 19-storey building, overlooking the vibrant metropolis.
You can choose between studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units, depending on your preference and budget. All apartments are fully furnished and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. A fitness center is also available, it is open 24 hours a day and has state-of-the-art equipment
As we are Genius members on Booking.com, so we received a 5% discount and a free upgrade to a Superior One-Bedroom Suite which sleeps up to 3 people.
We paid 2950 USD for 6 nights.
Our Superior One-Bedroom Apartment Suite
We are staying in apartment 901, at the end of the hallway.
What we booked at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo: an air-conditioned apartment suite containing 1 living room with sofa and coffee table, 1 separate bedroom with an extra large double bed, and a bathroom with a walk in shower, a Japanese toilet, bathrobes, hairdryer and free toiletries. The well-equipped kitchen has a stovetop, a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, oven, Nespresso coffee machine, electric kettle and kitchenware.
The soundproof apartments are designed with modern and elegant interiors, featuring hardwood floors, large windows and cozy furniture.
Living room
Our suite is 49sqm, which is quite spacious for Tokyo standards.
The living room has a very comfortable couch.
The black table in front is probably for people to eat on while watching TV.
The apartment includes a flat-screen TV with cable + satellite channels (we didn’t use it, but there are a couple of foreign channels such as CNN Japan).
You can also easily connect your YouTube or Netflix account and watch your favorite shows. Same for the TV in the bedroom.
Kitchen
A well-equipped kitchen, what an understatement.
This is by far the most complete apartment kitchen we have ever rented – and believe us, we rent a lot of apartments when we travel.
What a joy!
This kitchen was impeccably clean, all materials were of very good quality, it was spacious, even better than we hoped. What we also liked was the window which made the kitchen extra light and bright.
Where to start.
Let’s see what was on the counter tops.
A rice cooker, electric cooking plate with 2 burners, toaster, Nespresso coffee machine with 2 coffee capsules, kettle, 2 mugs, 2 tea cups and a tea pot, 2 bottles of water, 2 bags of instant coffee, 2 sugars, 4 tea bags, a sponge, detergent to do the dishes, hand soap, a dish drying rack, plastic cutting board and kitchen towel.
What about the kitchen appliances?
Behind the wooden door in the apartment entrance hides a washer and dryer, with detergent that is restocked it you use it. The washing machine was very handy, that made it possible for us to travel with hand luggage only, and wash our clothes on the spot. Very easy to use manual. Count about 4 hours in total for your clothes to wash and dry.
The fridge was huge, also because it is quite deep. Underneath it are 4 freezer compartments, also a massive space.
The dishwasher is also very easy to use. You can ask for dishwasher tablets at the reception, we brought our own. We would usually turn the dishwasher on in the morning before leaving, housekeeping staff would even empty it for us when the program is finished.
On the left side of the dishwasher is a microwave/oven combination. Again, very easy to use.
Let’s take a look at what is in the cupboards and drawers.
Above the microwave/oven is a drawer with plenty cutlery, potato peeler, tin opener, scissors and chopsticks.
In the upper cupboards we found 16 plates in total: 4 deep plates, and 12 plates of 3 sizes. Also 4 small bowls, 4 larger bowls, ramekins, pepper and salt shakers, sauce jug, and 2 long serving plates.
4 coffee cups with saucers, water glasses, wine glasses, long drink glasses, a glass water jug and a cork screw.
Underneath the microwave/oven are 2 cooking pots with glass lids, and 2 frying pans.
Under the sink are 3 garbage containers for burnable and unburnable waste, and one for bottles and cans.
The kitchen also provided 4 plastic Tupperware type of containers with lids, a glass oven dish, metal salad bowl, oven mitt and hot pot placemats.
Last drawer, I swear!
A collection of kitchen utensils such as a whisk, ladles, spatula, thongs and such.
Everywhere in the kitchen are empty cupboards and drawers with plenty of storage space.
We thought that everything was of excellent quality, hardly used and very clean.
Bedroom
We are staying in an Oakwood Premier Tokyo corner apartment.
The bedroom faces the front of the hotel and the street and has 2 large windows through which lots of light is flowing in. It is a spacious room as well. The bed is large and looks very comfortable.
The soft carpet makes it extra cozy.
On both sides of the bed is a bedside table with electric socket, and light switches to control the lights in the bedroom.
There are lamps on both sides and metal reading lights on bother ends of the headboard.
The mattress was quite firm but still very comfortable, the pillows were not too hard and quite supporting. The bed linen were soft and of very good quality, they were changed every other day.
Even though the rest of the apartment was perfectly soundproof, we could hear street noises such as ambulances or cars honking occasionally. Not that it kept up awake all night, but the bedroom wasn’t 100% quiet.
Bathroom
We loved the bathroom.
Spacious walk-in shower, good water pressure and amazing soothing rain shower.
What a treat!
Bath products were fragrant, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were plentiful. Soft and large bath towels as well, excellent.
The one vanity sink has space enough to put your things. Amenities are 2 toothbrushes with small tube of toothpaste, a comb, cotton buds, cotton pads, shower cap, sanitary bag, and hand soap. Under the sink in a black textile bag is a hairdryer, and on the floor tucked away under the shelf is a scale.
The Japanese toilet seat is heated, flushes automatically when you get up and has a control panel in both Japanese and English. The toilet paper is quite thin though.
The tiny hallway leading to the bathroom has 2 open cupboards to store your clothes and luggage.
On the left are clothes hangers, a large safe and 2 kimonos for you to use. They were very soft and highly enjoyable after a long day in town and a well deserved shower. There are 3 drawers. In the top drawer is a list for dry cleaning, ironing and laundry services for an additional fee. Underneath the lowest shelf is space to place your empty luggage.
On the other side is an open wardrobe with 2 soft bathrobes, fragrant air refresher, an iron, ironing board, clothes rack and laundry basket.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping stopped by daily, our apartment was always kept clean and tidy.
Bed sheets were changed every other day, we also received clean kimonos twice.
Bathroom towels were changed daily as well, if you put them on the floor. Even the white kitchen towel was changed daily as well if used.
Garbage bins were emptied, washing machine detergent was restocked when used, even our dishwasher we would turn on in the morning when leaving was emptied by the housekeeping staff once finished.
We received 2 bottles of still water daily, the 2 Nespresso coffee capsules were also restocked daily. You can buy extra coffee capsules in the residents lounge, a box of 10 Nespresso capsules costs 1100 JPY (7,30 USD).
Electric sockets
In the Oakwood Premier Tokyo apartments, as well as everywhere in Japan, you will find 2 main types of power sockets.
The first is type A, which features two flat parallel pins. It is suitable for devices with two-pin plugs that don’t require grounding. Common examples include smartphones and laptops.
The second type is type B, also known as the American-style outlet. It has two flat parallel pins like Type A, but with an additional grounding pin (3 pins in total). Type B outlets are used for devices that need grounding, such as some laptops and camera chargers.
Remember that Japan’s standard voltage is 100V at a frequency of 50/60Hz. If you are traveling to Japan, make sure to check if you need a power plug adapter for your specific devices.
Wifi
A couple of years ago the main complaint guests had about the Oakwood Premier Tokyo was that the wifi was not included in the room price, had to be paid extra per day and was quite expensive.
That has changed now.
The free internet connection and wifi was mostly OK in our suite apartment, at times it was a bit slow though.
Supermarkets nearby
The reason why we chose Oakwood Premier Tokyo is because it offers rooms with a kitchen.
Where to pick up groceries, or just a small bite to eat?
There are plenty of food shops at Tokyo Station, what about supermarkets and food halls?
Lawson
The closest store is the convenience store right across the Oakwood Premier Tokyo’s entrance.
It offers a cold soft drinks, juices and beers, hot coffee, crisps, cookies, sweet treats and ice cream. There is also a selection of microwave ready meals, such as udon soups, pasta dishes, noodles, omurice, Japanese curry rice – and cold options such as onigiri, salads and sushi. You can also buy warm pork buns and pork cutlets on the spot.
This convenience store is open 24/7.
Daymaru Food Hall Tokyo Station
On level B1F (or -1) of the Daymaru shopping mall next to Tokyo Station is a huge food hall.
The choice of bento boxes and ready meals is breathtaking.
All types of Japanese classics such as soups, tonkatsu, omurice, fried fish, sashimi and sushi to fried chicken karaage… The choice is endless. Prices are correct, you can already find bento boxes for 8 USD. You can also get Western meals such as pasta, caesar salad and sauerkraut, French cheeses, or Chinese and Thai takeaway.
In the same hall is a supermarket where you can buy fresh fish, meat, vegetables and breads.
The Daymaru food hall is open every day from 10am until 8pm.
Takashimaya Nihombashi
Another food hall is a 7 minute walk from the Oakwood Premier Tokyo.
Takashimaya is a major department store in Japan.
The Takashimaya Nihombashi food hall is on level B1 (or -1) and is very similar to the Daymaru food hall in terms of food. Here you will find the same bento boxes and Japanese foods.
There are several restaurants where you can buy takeaway food, and a small supermarket on level B2 as well, called Seijo Ishii.
The Takashimaya Nihombashi food hall is open daily from 10:30am until 8pm.
OK supermarket Ginza
A 20-minute walk from the Oakwood Premier Tokyo takes you through Ginza, to a classic discount supermarket where locals go grocery shopping.
You can find fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, meats, cold cuts, cheeses, desserts, wine, beer, sake, drinks, a large freezer department, and ready made meals such as yakitori, fried noodles, sashimi, sushi, salads, pasta, tonkatsu and so on.
Prices are lower compared to the food halls above.
There are microwaves available right after the cashier area.
The OK supermarket is open daily from 8:30am until 9:30pm.
Family Mart
On your way to the Takashimaya Nihombashi food hall, you pass in front of a small Family Mart convenience store. These are everywhere in Tokyo.
The ready meals are the same as at Lawson’s, however we want to mention Family Mart because they sell cheap and excellent sake. 4 USD for 900 mls of excellent sake, a bargain!
The Lawson downstairs from the Oakwood Premier Tokyo only sells 2 types of sake and for a much higher price.
This Family Mart is open 24/7.
Would we book again at Oakwood Premier Tokyo?
Yes, absolutely.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo offers the perfect luxury serviced apartment in the heart of Tokyo. We loved the spacious and stylish living space that is fully furnished and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
The location is also an absolute winner: just a 2-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, making it easy to access anywhere in the city, the airports and beyond.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Tokyo that combines the comfort of home with the convenience of a hotel, look no further than Oakwood Premier Tokyo.
Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, Oakwood Premier Tokyo offers you a spacious and stylish living space that caters to your every need.
Would we recommend Oakwood Premier Tokyo?
Definitely.
The price might be a little steep, and yes you can find more moderately priced rooms in Tokyo but we feel like we really got our money’s worth out of this lovely suite apartment. We really felt at home at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo.
The apartment we stayed in was so spacious, comfortable and cozy. The fact that we were able to ‘cook’ a few meals with Japanese ingredients for dinner (thanks to the abundance of supermarkets in walking distance) and relax after a full day of walking around made it highly enjoyable for us.
You can book the Oakwood Premier Tokyo here.
Address
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
1 Chome-8-2 Marunouchi
Chiyoda City
Tokyo 100-0005
Japan