Background
This is the newest hotel to have opened in Tokyo’s Haneda airport. It’s an ideal spot for busy business travellers to base themselves out of during short visits to Tokyo, as well as for passengers looking for a nearby place to rest after a long flight before they move on elsewhere.
Where is it?
Connected directly to Tokyo’s Haneda airport, you can walk here from Terminal 3. It can be a little confusing to find at first, but once you know where it is, it’s a quick and short fully-indoors walk away. To get there, simply head to the metro and train station area that’s past Arrivals – it’s directly connected to the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu lines – and through the concourse for the Haneda Airport Garden. You’ll find it there up a set of escalators, with the Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport nearby.
What’s it like?
With 1,717 rooms, this is the largest airport hotel in all of Japan. Although it may not be the most luxurious hotel, it is clean and comfortable, with everything designed for convenience. Check in is self-served through machines that can have you to your room in minutes, though staff is available to help if needed.
Rooms
I stayed in a standard Double, but other options include Triple, Universal, and Lady’s and Japanese Family styles. Mine was snug but not too small, with a good strong shower (and bathtub), Japanese-style toilet with a heated seat function, a small sofa and table area, large TV, and multiple amenities including toiletries, a hairdryer, kettle, mineral water, slippers, an international outlet, and even pyjamas and a USB charger with multiple types of heads. If you need more, there are free-to-take drip coffee bags, toothbrush kits, extra towels, shaving kits, and more at the reception floor. The custom-made Simmons beds are comfortable, and I slept quite well.
Food and drink
The hotel has four dining outlets, including an all-day dining venue, bar and lounge, one serving Japanese cuisine (with individual seats for solo travellers) and a Japanese izakaya with panoramic views of Mount Fuji. There are also nearby restaurants in the connected Haneda Airport Garden, not to mention a 24/7 Lawson “konbini” (convenience store).
Leisure
The hotel has its own spa and onsen (hot springs bathing facilities), Izumi Tenku no Yu, that is open 24 hours a day (except between 10.30 and 12.30 due to cleaning), and it would be tragic to come here and not try it. A single entry costs ¥2,000 for hotel guests and ¥4800 for non-guests. Pictures inside the onsen – which is fully separated into men’s and women’s sections on different floors – are strictly forbidden, especially since use of the onsen requires full nudity. While this might be daunting for the unfamiliar, this is a typical part of the traditional onsen experience, which boasts many health benefits. Toiletries, towels, robes, and lockers are available, with various baths of 34 to 46 degrees Celsius offered in both indoor and outdoor sections. The latter even has views of airplanes and Mount Fuji on unclouded nights.
Meetings
There are 10 meeting rooms on-site, all on the same floor, as well as a large hall that can fit up to 1,000 people in it.
Veridict
An ultra-convenient place for a night’s rest between Tokyo and your next destination. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth going to use the onsen alone, especially if you have a long time between your hotel’s checkout and a late flight.
FACT BOX
- Best for A convenient stop before or after a long flight to/from Tokyo Haneda airport
- Don’t miss The 24/7 onsen spa
- Price Room rates start from around US$155 for a Moderate Queen (without breakfast) for May
- Contact +81 3-6863-8430; hvf.jp
Words by Yi-Hwa Hanna
