Hotel and Inn Review: Centurion Classic Akasaka (Tokyo, Japan)

Date of Stay: September 6-10, 2018

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *********

Rooms: **********

Condition and Cleanliness: **********

Staff Performance: **********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: ******

Other Amenities: ******

Value for Money: *********

Centurion Classic Akasaka

The hotel at night

The 3-star, 8-storey Centurion Classic Akasaka, a relatively new boutique hotel opened in 2013, was perfect for a large family, working out great for my family of 6.    The hotel had 45 airconditioned guestrooms. The 6-pax, 377 sq. ft., non-smoking, spotlessly clean and well-furnished Deluxe Twin Room (Room 509) we stayed in was spacious by any hotel standards. I was super impressed with its in-room facilities.

Our room had 2 extra large full beds (with very comfortable Slumberland mattresses and premium bedding) and 2 sofa beds and was equipped with two flat-screen TVs; kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, a microwave oven, sink and electric kettle; in-room safe;  humidifier; washing machine with free laundry powder (really handy in the middle of summer); dryer and a machine that cools you down when you stand on it. 

Bottled water was also provided and replenished every day.  Our room also had free wi-fi (also available in public areas). They also provide you with slippers, towels, umbrella, bath robes, face masks and a USB cable for both iPhone and Android charging.

Hotel Lobby

Hallway

Chandelier on display
at Reception Area

Our private, clean and modern bathroom was fitted with a bathtub (somewhat small though) and shower (with full body mirror).  Being six of us in a room, how I wish that they placed the shower, bathtub and water closet in separate cubicles so as to prevent long waits for the occupant to finish.

We didn't have to bring personal toiletries since they provided a complete set of organic amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial wash, toner, lotion and etc. They also provide hair dryer and curling iron which was great for Grace and Cheska. Water pressure was very strong.

This would be our first introduction to sophisticated Japanese-style bidets (commonly called washlets), one of the most advanced types of toilet worldwide, showing a dazzling array of features that include many advanced features, rarely seen outside of Asia.  From a wireless control panel, you can accessed anus or vulva washing, proximity sensor in the toilet seat (operates only when the seat is occupied), water temperature and water pressure adjustment, etc.

Room 509

The two sofa beds in our room

Kitchenette

Living Room

The 463 sq. ft. Executive Twin Room (2 twin beds  and 4 sofa beds) and the 463 sq. ft. Luxury Corner Twin Room (2 sofa beds  and 2 queen beds) can also accommodate 6 people.   Both are also non-smoking.

There were other room types available. For  Non-Smoking, the 52 sq. m. (560 sq. ft.) Akasaka King Suite (4 sofa beds  and 2 queen beds), the 60 sq. m. (646 sq. ft.) Japanese Style Premium Suite (4 bunk beds  and  2 queen beds), the 452 sq. ft. Deluxe Family Twin Room (2 full beds  and 4 bunk beds) and the 527 sq. ft. Family Corner Suite Room (2 full beds, 2 sofa beds  and 1 queen bed) can accommodate 8 people.  The 30 sq. m. (323 sq. ft.) Superior King Room (2 sofa beds  and 1 queen bed) and the  323 sq. ft. Superior Twin Room (2 full beds) can accommodate 4 people.   

Lavatory area with washing machine

Japanese washlet with
wireless control panel

Bathtub and shower area 
with full body mirror

The 732 sq. ft.  Maisonette Family Suite (non-smoking), at the Penthouse, has a bedroom with 2 twin beds  and 2 bunk beds plus a living room with 3 sofa beds good for 7 people. 

For Smoking, the 30 sq. m. (323 sq. ft.) Superior King Room (2 sofa beds  and 1 queen bed) can accommodate 4 people.

The hotel also had a 24-hour front desk, elevator and luggage storage space. They offered daily housekeeping and dry cleaning (additional charge).  Breakfast wasn’t available in the hotel but you can have breakfast at its sister hotel (Centurion Hotel Residential Akasuka) nearby. Free tea and coffee sachets were available at the reception area.

Front Desk

Elevator

As through all of Japan, the front desk staff members were extremely polite, friendly, respectful, always helpful and welcoming, always greeting us when we went out or came back.  

They also had excellent English conversational skills and can research all needed information for places for us to see as well as make reservations for airport limousine bus (which we took to and from the hotel) back to Narita International Airport which is a 59.5-km./1-hour drive away.  Our only disappointment was they couldn’t extend the 11 AM check-out time for us.

Reception Area with wood lattice wall paneling and wood parquet flooring

The hotel also had an excellent location, being near (a 5-min. walk) two different Metro train stations – the Akasaka Station (230 m.) and the Akasaka-Mitsuke Station (280 m.). The latter has the Ginza and Marunouchi Line which made it very easy for us to access popular destinations such as Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza with less hassle. The Akasaka area is loaded with lots of eateries and several excellent restaurants with a great vibe. There were at least 20 different restaurants within a 5-min. walk from the hotel. After a long day exploring the city, the nearby Family Mart, Lawson and 7-11 convenience stores were perfect for topping up on snacks, milk, sandwiches, packed meals and ice cream.

Hotel entrance

The property's strategic and convenient location makes it an ideal point of departure for the city's must-see destinations as well as excursions outside Tokyo. Popular local points of interest near The Centurion Classic Akasaka include the lovely Hie Shrine (200 m.), the Akasaka ACT Theatre (300 m.), the New Ōtani Art Museum (640 m.), the NationalDiet Library (690 m.), the National Diet Building (700 m.) and the HikawaShrine (700 m.).

Breakfast can be had at the nearby Centurion Hotel Residential Akasuka

It is also located 900 m. from the Suntory Hall and the National Theater; 1.67 kms. (1.1 mi.) from RoppongiHills, Chidorigafuchi, Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo Imperial Palace;  1.91 kms. from Tokyo Tower; 2.8 kms. from ShinjukuGyoen National Garden; and 7 kms. from Senso-ji Temple.  The hotel is also 14.1 kms. (8.7 mi.) from TokyoHaneda Airport (a 22-min. drive) and 83.2 kms. from Ibaraki Airport.

Offering a relaxed and hassle-free 4-night stay for my family, this hotel was a real find and a smart choice for travelers to Tokyo. I would definitely recommend this hotel, especially for those who will travel with their families. Compared to more expensive upscale hotels, this one truly lived up to our expectations, making our stay in Tokyo a lot easier and more comfortable.

Centurion Classic Asakasa: 107-0052 Tokyo Prefecture, Minato-ku Akasaka 3-11-8, Japan.  Tel: 1-866-599-6674.