New Sanno Hotel — Hotel in Tokyo

My Go-To Stay in Tokyo: The New Sanno Hotel

I’ve stayed at the New Sanno Hotel at least three to four times a year over the last few years, and I don’t know why I haven’t written a review until now. From attending the Marine Corps Ball to Scouting America events, this hotel has always been my reliable choice for accommodations in Tokyo.

For just $95 a night for a single queen bedroom, the value is unbeatable. In comparison, other hotels in this area can cost anywhere between ¥56,000–¥70,000 ($500–$600 per night) for significantly smaller rooms with far fewer amenities. The New Sanno Hotel provides a true Americanized experience—from toilets and showers to TV channels connected to AFN, which allows guests to watch news and movies just like back home in the States.

Pros:

✅ Affordable & Spacious – You get far more for your money compared to nearby hotels. ✅ Excellent Amenities – A well-equipped fitness center, pool, restaurants, and comfortable rooms. ✅ Convenient Location – Easy access to various areas in Tokyo. ✅ Familiar Atmosphere – If you’re military-affiliated, it feels like a slice of home.

Cons:

🔻 Outside Noise at Night – If you’re a light sleeper, be aware that street noise from passing cars and late-night revelers can be disruptive.

Special Recognition:

I also want to give a huge shoutout to Miss Mia at the front desk. She’s been working here for about six months now, and I vaguely remember seeing her last year when she was possibly still in training. Mia is a true servant leader, highly professional, and extremely helpful when it comes to adjusting reservations or ensuring your stay is comfortable. She’s got a great sense of humor and an accommodating spirit—exactly the kind of front desk attendant you want after a long day of travel. If you stay at the New Sanno, be sure to ask for Mia—she’s a short Asian lady with curly hair, and trust me, she will go above and beyond to help you out!

Final Thoughts:

If you’re eligible to stay here, The New Sanno Hotel is a no-brainer for anyone looking for an affordable, comfortable, and familiar place to stay in Tokyo. The staff, amenities, and pricing make it one of the best-kept secrets in the city for military and DoD personnel.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 (Only losing half a star due to the nighttime noise, which is beyond their control!)

Would I stay here again? Absolutely—just like I have multiple...

This review is for DINING only at the Fair Winds bar, breakfast brunch, and thanksgiving dinner buffet.

Fair Winds: 3 stars. The good: very authentic American ambiance. With large screen tvs broadcasting sports, American news, AFN, and music videos, you almost forget you’re in Tokyo. Service was attentive and food was decent. I recommend actually ordering from the restaurant menu, not their bar menu since it has a much bigger and better selection.

The bad: Servers are slightly dishonest. 18% gratuity is automatically added to groups, but they don’t tell you this when paying. If you are with a large group where everyone’s paying separately (you go to the bar to pay), they add the 18%, quickly print the itemized receipt, hand it to you folded so you’re not likely to scrutinize it, and only give you the final dollar amount with the tip line to sign. Very sneaky and most people in my group were tipping 20% on top of the 18%. No matter how good the service, I highly doubt most people will gladly fork over close to a 40% tip no questions asked. Saw this happen on several occasions with different servers. I was a server in college, and we always told our guests if we added gratuity.

Sunday Brunch: The good: very competitively priced. At $28 prepay, it really doesn’t get much better priced. The spread is plentiful, and there’s good variety of breakfast, lunch, vegetable, fruit, dessert, carving station, and Japanese food station. Excellent service.

The bad: You get what you pay for. The furnishing is dated and it shows and you can feel it. Staff did their best with linen and decor, but the place is definitely overdue for a remake. The food was also not well-kept. Sausages, bacon, and other hot foods were left sitting in giant, deep bucket-like trays with no heating, so some of the hot food was quite cold and inedible. Same for the carving station. Huge slab of prime rib on a cutting board with no heat lamp. Again, you get what you pay for.

Thanksgiving buffet: spread was very good and arguably better tasting than the buffet. Unfortunately, they have a 90-minute limit, so there’s definitely a feeling of rushing through it. Probably not a big deal if it’s just family, but if you’re with friends or local Japanese guests, it can feel...

Location: perfect because it’s walking distance to HIRo-O station, maybe 20 minutes walk going to Tokyo Tower. Not more than 3o minutes walk to some museums.

Rooms: rooms are little bit outdated still using old toilet bowl compare to other hotel that have updated ones however the restroom at the lobby is updated (electronic), good space for couple, the bed are super soft but too soft for me.

WiFi: stable no complains about it Tv: American channel

Lobby: enough space for check in and check out. receptionist Speak English which huge helps for those who don’t speak Japanese.

Casino: not more than 20 slots machine (new machines). You need Dollars and card game before you can play

BX: small and limited stuff and pricey

pool and jacuzzi: indoor with transparent roof which is very nice. Something they have event inside the pool area that you are free to join.

Security: loved the security. They check your military ID before you enter the hotel. The hotel entrance and exit door rolled down at night ( maybe after 10pm or 11 pm) for security purposes but you can still go out and come back anytime you like.

Airport bus limousine: if you are going to the NArita Airport, you can book the airport bust limousine because , This hotel is one of the pick up point.

Restaurant: limited japanese restaurant near by but there are few going to the station. The hotel also restaurants that offer american food.

Mini bar next to the reception area: kudos to Julius and Aaron for good services.

Souvenirs shop: one souvenir shop located at the lobby (you can use yen, card and dollar cash if I’m not mistaken)

ATM: ATM machine available at the second floor it dispense dollar and yen

Convenient Store: yes , Family mart is just 2 minutes away from the hotel

Note: this hotel is exclusive only to active, retired militaries and...