We have stayed at the Shangri-La Tokyo many times over the years, and if there is one word that consistently describes the experience, it is convenient. Especially when travelling with a child, that convenience becomes more than a luxury. It becomes the difference between a smooth, enjoyable trip and an unnecessarily exhausting one.
What makes this hotel stand out immediately is its direct connection to Tokyo Station. There is no need to navigate busy streets, cross large junctions, or weave through crowds just to get somewhere. You simply take the lift down from the hotel, walk a short sheltered path, and you are already inside the station complex. When you are travelling with a child, or carrying shopping bags, or just tired after a long day, this matters more than it sounds.
Tokyo Station is not just a transport hub — it is a destination in itself. We often found ourselves casually popping into the station for lunch or dinner without any planning. The basement level alone has an extensive shopping street that is always buzzing, with toy stores, souvenir shops, and a wide variety of restaurants covering everything from quick bites to proper sit-down meals. It is lively, popular, and incredibly practical.
The station also houses Daimaru Tokyo, which deserves a special mention. If you enjoy Japanese department stores, this one is excellent. The food and dessert floors are particularly good — beautifully prepared bento, cooked dishes, sweets, and seasonal items that are perfect whether you are eating in your room or taking something for the train. Having this literally at your doorstep is a huge advantage.
Back at the hotel itself, we have tried several room types over multiple stays. When travelling with our child, the corner rooms were by far the best choice. They offer noticeably more space, which gives a child room to move, play, and feel comfortable rather than confined. The views from these rooms are also excellent, and our child genuinely enjoyed spending time just looking out over the city — something that became part of the stay rather than a distraction from it.
If you are travelling without children, however, I do not think a corner room is necessary. The standard rooms are perfectly comfortable and well designed, and unless you value extra space or specific views, they do the job very well.
One important thing to be aware of is the bed comfort. The beds at Shangri-La Tokyo are on the soft side. We personally prefer firmer beds, and even after contacting the hotel in advance, the only solution offered was adding a plank under the mattress. In practice, this does not really change the overall feel in a meaningful way. The softness is simply part of the experience, and you need to be comfortable with that.
If bed comfort is a top priority for you and you prefer a firmer sleep, then in my experience Mandarin Oriental Tokyo in Nihonbashi offers a noticeably firmer and more supportive bed, while still delivering a luxury experience.
That said, for sheer ease of movement, dining flexibility, shopping access, and stress-free travel — especially with a child — Shangri-La Tokyo remains one of the most comfortable and practical places we have stayed in Tokyo. It quietly removes friction from your trip, and that is a rare and valuable thing in a city as dynamic as Tokyo.