Hi PTL:


They are all under Ascott (homegrown hospitality mgmt group by Capitaland). Citadines is Tier 3, Somerset is Tier 2, Ascott is Tier 1. You'll notice the difference when you go into these properties. Citadines is Ikea, as Somerset is Crate & Barrel, as Ascott is Space Furniture. :rotflmao:


Now coming to this Shinagawa's location. Yes, on paper everything looks excellent, because it IS arguably a transportation hub, well-connected by the circle line - Yamanote Line. From Shinagawa, you can commute to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, etc. round and round the loop.

http://i65.tinypic.com/zv6o8.png\">

And better still, it's very close to Haneda and Narita. Direct connection.


However, it's not smack in the heart of \"happenings\"...LOL!! If I could use a Singapore location to compare loosely, it'd be our Paya Lebar Interchange Station. Our PL MRT is also a transportation hub, fed by Circle Line and EW line, well-connected to town as well as enjoys close proximity to Changi Airport. It'd be like staying at Lion City hotel (demolished) or nearby hotels in Tg Katong/Geylang, i.e. in residential district where you get some attractions here and there, some department stores like Parkway...BUT, you don't get the Orchard downtown heartbeat or the City Hall buzz.

Shinagawa is where Microsoft and Sony is, so the serviced apartments serve the expats long stayers, but it is acquired by Capitaland to feed another segment mkt and that'd be tourists who don't mind staying on the city fringe. In Singapore, you also get tourists staying at Novena, Jalan Besar, Little India hotels next to MRT station. It's the same idea. Well-connected, but not very happening location.


I googled and found that it's acquired last year, so will there be teething problems? Somerset apartments will enable you to stay TOGETHER UNDER 1 UNIT. It has 2-room, 3-room flat types. Citadines - you will need to split up for family of 5.[/quote]

Hi Jetsetter-I just found out Somerset Shinagawa is for long term stay of more than one month

jetsetter:

PTLMum:

My family will be in Tokyo in December for about 10 days, can any of you recommend hotel or service apartment in Tokyo near train station/subway, have family room (5 of us-2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child 11 yo) and self service laundry? I do realise hotel room in Tokyo are really tiny and most of them usually accomodate only two pax in one room


Appreciate your help and advice!

Wow, 10 days in Tokyo? That's a long stay... You could check out another serviced apartment, Citadines Shinjuku at Shinjukusanchome.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g1066457-d1418991-Reviews-Citadines_Shinjuku_Tokyo-Shinjuku_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

It's very popular as it's cheap. I think if you book now, for peak period in Dec, it's less than SGD200 per apartment. That should work out to be $2k thereabouts? You can't find quad hotel rooms at this sort of rate in Tokyo. Those next to subway stations like Excel (recommended by lexis) are going to be costly in the month of Dec. Probably $300 per night even if you book 9 mths ahead?

However, I'm not sure if you could squeeze in a 5th bed for your 11yo in their Premium unit. I don't think your 11yo can squeeze in between you & DH anymore! So you might want to split up into triple + twin rooms. After all, you don't want to queue up to shower every night, right? There's a kitchenette in every room, and a laundrette at ground floor. Free wifi.

http://i65.tinypic.com/5ogn04.jpg\">

The nearest subway exit is 4 min walk from Shinjuku-gyoemmae station and 6 min walk from Shinjukusanchome station. And these are all interconnected via underground tunnels leading to the main Shinjuku Station. Along the underground pedestrian walkway, there are several underground exits leading to Isetan and many other malls above. So that should shield you from the elements if you don't wish to walk at street level during winter.

The disadvantage is: this aparthotel is about 15-20min walk to Shinjuku JR Station where Times Square Taka, Tokyu Hands, Lumine I & II and the rest of the department stores are.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2mo6z4z.jpg\">

There're some advantages being further away from the hustle&bustle at Shinjuku station nevertheless. The 15-20 min cut through an enclave behind this hotel allowed me to discover many quaint sushi bars, yakitori joints, ramen stores, pubs, value stores and drugstores! There are several convenience stores beside, behind and opposite the apartment too. Therefore, you really don't need to include Breakfast@hotel at all. I usually take my breakfast outside, or buy a hot korokke, a Hokkaido baumkuchen cake or cup noodles with freshly brewed Key/UCC coffee from Lawson, 7-11...


NOTE: when you google, you will find another Citadines @ Shinjuku, but that one is nestled in Kabukicho, where Toyoko Inn (recommended by Dnls_mum) is. This other Citadines is nearer to JR station, but noisier I guess, at night, as it's the arcade paradise/red-light district. I stayed in Kabukicho before and remember hearing guests going back to their rooms late at night...kekeke!

Dear Jetsetter - while looking up Citadines@Shinjuku, I came across Somerset Shinagawa, which is part of the Ascott group as Citadines. They have two bedroom apartment which is just nice for five of us :rahrah: . Are you familiar with this service apartment and is the area accessible?

jetsetter:

PTLMum:

My family will be in Tokyo in December for about 10 days, can any of you recommend hotel or service apartment in Tokyo near train station/subway, have family room (5 of us-2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child 11 yo) and self service laundry? I do realise hotel room in Tokyo are really tiny and most of them usually accomodate only two pax in one room


Appreciate your help and advice!

Wow, 10 days in Tokyo? That's a long stay... You could check out another serviced apartment, Citadines Shinjuku at Shinjukusanchome.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g1066457-d1418991-Reviews-Citadines_Shinjuku_Tokyo-Shinjuku_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

It's very popular as it's cheap. I think if you book now, for peak period in Dec, it's less than SGD200 per apartment. That should work out to be $2k thereabouts? You can't find quad hotel rooms at this sort of rate in Tokyo. Those next to subway stations like Excel (recommended by lexis) are going to be costly in the month of Dec. Probably $300 per night even if you book 9 mths ahead?

However, I'm not sure if you could squeeze in a 5th bed for your 11yo in their Premium unit. I don't think your 11yo can squeeze in between you & DH anymore! So you might want to split up into triple + twin rooms. After all, you don't want to queue up to shower every night, right? There's a kitchenette in every room, and a laundrette at ground floor. Free wifi.

http://i65.tinypic.com/5ogn04.jpg\">

The nearest subway exit is 4 min walk from Shinjuku-gyoemmae station and 6 min walk from Shinjukusanchome station. And these are all interconnected via underground tunnels leading to the main Shinjuku Station. Along the underground pedestrian walkway, there are several underground exits leading to Isetan and many other malls above. So that should shield you from the elements if you don't wish to walk at street level during winter.

The disadvantage is: this aparthotel is about 15-20min walk to Shinjuku JR Station where Times Square Taka, Tokyu Hands, Lumine I & II and the rest of the department stores are.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2mo6z4z.jpg\">

There're some advantages being further away from the hustle&bustle at Shinjuku station nevertheless. The 15-20 min cut through an enclave behind this hotel allowed me to discover many quaint sushi bars, yakitori joints, ramen stores, pubs, value stores and drugstores! There are several convenience stores beside, behind and opposite the apartment too. Therefore, you really don't need to include Breakfast@hotel at all. I usually take my breakfast outside, or buy a hot korokke, a Hokkaido baumkuchen cake or cup noodles with freshly brewed Key/UCC coffee from Lawson, 7-11...


NOTE: when you google, you will find another Citadines @ Shinjuku, but that one is nestled in Kabukicho, where Toyoko Inn (recommended by Dnls_mum) is. This other Citadines is nearer to JR station, but noisier I guess, at night, as it's the arcade paradise/red-light district. I stayed in Kabukicho before and remember hearing guests going back to their rooms late at night...kekeke!

Dear Jetsetter - really appreciate your detailed description and recommendation..will look up Citadines..appreciate much!!

lexis:

Try getting the Quad Room or Triple Room at Tokyu Shibuya Excel. The beds can probably squeeze one adult and one small child.

Thanks lexis!

Dnls_mum:

PTLMum:

My family will be in Tokyo in December for about 10 days, can any of you recommend hotel or service apartment in Tokyo near train station/subway, have family room (5 of us-2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child 11 yo) and self service laundry? I do realise hotel room in Tokyo are really tiny and most of them usually accomodate only two pax in one room


Appreciate your help and advice!

Don't think you can find hotel room for 5 in Tokyo. At least not easily.

1. The cheap business hotels have small rooms. But they are cheap, so usually not expensive even to get 2 rooms. Adults just have to split up, i.e. One each with each kid. We have never tried squeezing even 3 in a room. So cheap that it is ok to get another single room. There are many such hotel chains. I have only tried the Toyoko Inn Chain. One good choice could be Toyoko Inn at Ikebukuro. They have self service laundry. Comes with free simple breakfast. Normally rice or onigiri. Carbo basically.
2. Keio plaza near Shinjuku station has family room for 4. Nicer hotel than Toyoko inn, diff class. Price also diff lah. But don't think they have self service laundry.
3. Sunroute plaza at Shinjuku has family room too but I think it is only for 3 and self service laundry available. The room quality is like Toyoko inn, only lobby is much nicer. But you pay a lot more than Toyoko inn. I don't lthink Sunroute is worth it for the price. I Stayed once. But location is definitely excellent. So you pay for location. It is cheaper than Keio, more expensive than Toyoko inn.

For our family of 5, we have stayed at Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi at Tokyo Station. Not cheap but really nice and convenient. We took 2 rooms. A twin and a king. Our 8yo then squeezes into the king with us. Children under 12 stay free but no additional bed available.

Dnlsmum
thanks so much for your detailed recommendation! Tokyo Inn sounds good, will look into it

My family will be in Tokyo in December for about 10 days, can any of you recommend hotel or service apartment in Tokyo near train station/subway, have family room (5 of us-2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child 11 yo) and self service laundry? I do realise hotel room in Tokyo are really tiny and most of them usually accomodate only two pax in one room


Appreciate your help and advice!

JonC:

pslemum:

Thanks for sharing. Ds got A1 for E math and A2 for E math. Got him last minute tutor for A Math. Tutor was a god send but she does not teach A level.

Any tutor to recommend around AMK for H2 Math and Chem? 1 on 1 and can teach concepts. Can pm me?

Has PM you my DS's tuition teacher's info few days ago.

Dear JonC
Can give me your tutor's contact? But I stay in the east, not sure whether suitable. My DS will enter VJC next year and he wants to do Physics and Chem at H2 and his chem is quite weak. He is now year 4 at VS.

hope76:

edna:

My boy's school yet to announce.

Same for mine. No news yet.

Pardon my ignorance, may I know what result are we talking about? I thought the GEP screening and selection test already over?

Hi Hellokitty88

I contacted Mr Wang you recommended via whatsapp, and he replied very promptly. He quoted NTD6000 for a day trip to Taroko Gorge (pickup at 7am) and itinerary includes Taroko Gorge, 清水断崖，七星潭，鲤鱼潭，plus whale and dolphin watching out at sea. Not sure about the whale and dolphin watching part, as I did not read about this in the internet travel blogs. Anyone done this before? Worth doing? Thanks for help![/quote]


Hi Minnie,

Sorry for the late reply. I have cousins went watching whale and dolphin with Mr. Wang and just came back last week. They commented it was fun. The chances of catching the sight of dolphin and whale is 80-90%. Thus it is worth it.[/quote]


Hi
My family just came back from Taipei and had a good time there. We engaged Mr Wang for a day trip to Taroko Gorge and he was a very good guide. He did not hurry us at each stop, took family photos for us, also brought us to eat at a famous dumpling shop at Hualien. On the way back to Taipei, he even stopped a few times along the coastal road for us to take photos of the Pacific Ocean. I highly recommend him to those who need transport in Taipei/Taiwan.

mckenzy:

PTLMum:

Has anyone been to 慕谷慕魚? I was recommended this place by the Taiwan driver and the pictures of this place are really beautiful. It will be part of the itinerary to Taroko Gorge.

you need to apply a permit to enter the place as they want to control how many people get to enter a day. You can ask travel agents to help if needed. Unless the driver can arrange for you.

http://www.erv-nsa.gov.tw/user/Medium.aspx?Lang=1&SNo=03005024

Its the next best thing to Taroko. But should visit during the non-cold seasons.

There is also river activities like \"River Tracing\"
http://www.riverking.com.tw/english.html

Yes the driver will apply for permit for us...I saw pic of people playing in the crystal clear water during summer time, however, it's still worth the visit during this season just to see the scenery and to see why it got the name \"What a beautiful place\" from the local tribe