Tokyo

We have arrived in Tokyo via the Bullet Train. Over two million people take the train a day, and over 4000 trains leave and depart through Tokyo station! And on time! We sat in the "Green" section, similar to First class with spacious and reserved seating.

We have travelled to Japan with too much luggage, and received the most incredible service from the General Manager, Ken, and his bellman, Campbell in Kyoto. They made our reservations, changed them when our schedule was delayed, and personally transferred us and our luggage to the station in Kyoto. They also purchased special passes that allowed them to actually board the train with our luggage and help us get settled for our first Bullet Train experience. This kind of service is priceless and is so indicative of the extraordinary service at the Kyoto Hyatt.

Upon arrival in Tokyo 2 1/2 hours later, the doors of our train car opened and we were immediately greeted by two Shangri La escorts who took our luggage and walked us to their hotel adjacent to the Tokyo Station. The attached picture is the best I could capture in the middle of "rush hour" at the Tokyo station. This station is the 2nd largest and has over 80 exits! I'm not sure how we would navigate such on our own. The Shangri La is our address in Tokyo and part of their service to their guests is meet and greet services for all those arriving by train. Phenomenal!

The Shangri La is one of the most stunning hotels I have ever experienced. The location is in the prime real estate section of Tokyo and on the most expensive parcel of land. It is conveniently located next door to the train station which is the gateway to virtually any destination in Japan, and across the street from the Imperial Palace and park.

The hotel lobby is on level 28 and the rooms extend to the 37th floor. The views are spectacular and the skyline stretches for miles. My first impression of Tokyo is very positive. The city is very clean, the streets as wide as those in London, the lights of the city stimulating and colorful throughout, and more trees throughout the landscape than expected.

The people at Shangri La are so gracious and lovely. They anticipate your every need and if they remotely overhear a wish of any kind, the magic begins. The 90 minute spa treatment became a three hour journey to peace and tranquility. You cannot imagine a place so beautifully designed and appointed. You have never experienced service like this of the Asian culture, and especially the Japanese. I am without words.

What an extraordinary place.

This is a country of perfection, quality vs price, and graciousness. They love to serve and it is an innate part of who they are. It is a "tip-less" society. They believe it their job to serve you and to do it well. Tipping is not expected, nor is it readily accepted.

Oliver the Executive Chef at the new Shangri La Hotel in Tokyo says that the Japanese expect quality and do not generally discuss price. They want and expect the best and are willing to pay for it.

On service, they expect the finest service as a "given". So in Japan, to be truly successful, you have to get it right the first time and be consistent each and every time. Perfection. The best of the best is expected. In order to truly impress the Japanese, you have to have the "unexpected" as part of your service. For example, Shangri La Hotels has numerous hotels in their portfolio throughout Asia and they are expanding to Paris France this year as well as 8 additional locations by the year 2012. The Tokyo Shangri La is the only hotel in their collection that maintains a supply of and provides the complimentary use of workout clothes, gym shoes, and a swimsuit for the indoor pool for all their guests. This is an "unexpected" service that demonstrates just one area where Shangri La's is committed to their guests.

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