If you book a hotel room here, you’ll be amazed to find yourself staying in the heart of downtown Tokyo. We searched for a variety of accommodations for weeks and months ahead of time. We knew we were going to Japan for Sakura Season (cherry blossom season), so we kept track of everything happening (serious research, you know). Here’s our video review on staying here!

We checked for available rooms but got really lucky when we arrived at Yokota Air Base in Japan via Space A from Singapore. We booked a few days and got even luckier because our first night was a Saturday, which is the first day of the shuttle service from Yokota directly to The New Sanno Hotel.

Catch the Shuttle from Yokota to New Sanno Hotel

The shuttle only cost $10 per person, giving us perfect door-to-door service without spending a lot on transportation. Taking the train is possible, but it involves many transfers and a half-mile walk from the nearest station, Hiro-o Station, to the hotel.

If you want to see the bus schedule for Yokota, Narita Airport, and Haneda Airport, click here.

If you want to see the instructions that the New Sanno Hotel has for Yokota and many other locations, click here. They even have walking directions listed on their website, also including some helpful phrases if you get lost!

3-Star Hotel or Luxury Hotel?

Google lists the hotel as a 3-star, but that doesn’t seem accurate to us. We travel a lot, spending over 90 days in hotels each year. The New Sanno doesn’t feel like a mid-range hotel; it should be considered nothing less than luxury.

I would definitely consider this hotel a 4-star, based on the criteria from Investopedia. The New Sanno has outshined the competition, winning awards for “Best Sunday Brunch” and “Best Military Resort” in 2023.

The hotel has everything you could imagine. They have a spa, a small Navy Exchange, a gift shop like other military resorts, and something that really stood out to me—the ability to send mail via APO from the postal office in the basement.

We’ve visited a few military resorts like the Hale Koa, but I don’t recall anything about a U.S. Postal Office there. At The New Sanno, active duty personnel and dependents, contractors, and reservists with orders can use the mail service, thanks to the Japan Status of Forces Agreement with the USA.

Are You Eligible to Visit The New Sanno Hotel? 

The hotel provides a helpful chart on their website to clarify eligibility. It’s similar to other international military resorts: if you’re active duty with your ID and dependents, you’re eligible. Retirees and retired reservists are also eligible, but they can’t use the APO, and dependents must be with the sponsor.

DoD civilians and dependents stationed in Japan, as well as US Embassy personnel and their dependents stationed in Japan, have full access to the hotel’s facilities and amenities.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you can check the chart on the website or call the hotel to confirm. The front desk and the entire hotel provide an english-speaking environment, making our stay much less stressful with the language barrier.

Things to see at New Sanno Hotel

The Japanese Rooftop Garden

While lounging at the hotel, be sure to explore a few highlights. The rooftop Japanese garden, visible from our room in the Kentucky twin suite, was a delightful sight. Featuring a stone lantern, various shrubs, and a few local trees, it offered a serene retreat.

Pro Tip: Booking the Japanese Suite grants you a private view of the Japanese garden. These suites, boasting traditional décor, offer a stunning vista of the sculpted garden just beyond the large suite windows.

The Game Room (Casino) and Bar

The Game Room is situated within the bar area on the first floor. Upon reaching the bar, turn right, and you’ll find yourself greeted by lights and doors leading to the casino. Access to the Game Room is available to individuals aged 17 and active duty or over 18.

Room Type Selection at The New Sanno

We were fortunate to experience two different room types during our stay at The New Sanno Hotel. Despite the luxurious rooms and amenities, both accommodations were available at a reasonable price, providing exceptional value for our stay.

Double Room 

The first thing that caught my eye was the fancy royal blue carpet, along with the ambient music playing in the room. Don’t worry, you can easily adjust or turn off the music to your liking.

The rooms indeed have a luxurious and opulent look, especially considering they’re priced at only $104.00. If you’re curious about their rates, you can find them by clicking  here. 

The double room features a queen bed and a sleeper sofa. Our room offered a view of the main street and the sunrise. However, it was slightly smaller than what you might expect from a typical hotel room in the United States.

Our room comfortably accommodated all of our luggage, including 4 suitcases and 4 backpacks. Considering the location in Hiro-o and its proximity to the middle of Tokyo, we found it to be excellent value for the price.

Kentucky Twin Suite

This room, located on the west-facing side of the building on the sixth floor, offered a splendid view of the illuminated Tokyo Tower at night, along with the serene Japanese garden below. 

It proved to be very accommodating, even during our first experience of an earthquake in Japan. Despite the initial shock, everything was fine once the quake subsided.

The price for this room at The New Sanno Hotel is $127.00 for retirees, and it’s worth every penny. It offers a slightly larger space compared to the double room, making it a worthwhile investment.

The Japanese Suite

After viewing pictures of the Japanese suite, I wished we could have stayed in that room for a more traditional experience in Tokyo. Unfortunately, it’s unavailable for families of 4. However, families of 3 with children older than 10 are welcome to book this room type.

In the Japanese suite, you get to experience sleeping on a traditional Japanese futon, embracing authentic Japanese bedding. The room is adorned in the style of a traditional Japanese room (和室, washitsu), complete with tatami mats as flooring, offering a unique and culturally immersive experience.

The New Sanno Hotel Reviews and Amenity Specifications  

• Free Wi-Fi Speed: The internet was a tad faster than Kanto lodge in Yokota so I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. 
• Early Check-in & Baggage Holding Available: This serivcve is available along with overnight storage being available for a small fee.
• Wall Sockets for Charging: The charging style is the two blade american style plug. 
• Bed, Sheets, and Furniture Comfort Level: In both rooms the beds were comfortable to sleep on and relax on. We did happen to get great sleep here. Sheets felt just as nice as a other upscale resorts we have visited. Overal the comfort level of the furniture is a 4 out of 5 stars. 
• Water Pressure & Water Temp: Water pressure was normal, it wasnt to hard or to little, it was good. The water temperature was nice and hot. 4 our of 5 stars. 
• Shuttle Service: They do offer a shuttle service, can be found here. We used it to get from The New Sanno Hotel to Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay and it was great. 5 out 5 service. 
• Customer Service: The customer service from arrival is exceptionally good. Every question we had about a shuttle, transporting bags, or how to say something was met with great enthusiasm by the staff. 5 out 5 stars. 
• Bell & Maid service: The bell service was great, they were eager to get our belongings as we got off the bus and when we were leaving to they came expeditiously to our room to help. 5 out of 5 stars.
• Customer Complaint Resolution Experience: N/A. We stayed for 5 days and had no issues at all. 

Indoor Pool and Gym

The swimming pool is located at the end of the building, overlooking the French Embassy. Recreational facilities are situated on the second floor, in an area flooded with natural light from numerous windows.

The pool amenities include a suitemate for faster drying of bathing suits, a pingpong table, magnet letters, dartboard, and water volleyball, among others. Additionally, the pool area features a hot tub, perfect for relaxing after a long day.

The pool area offers a membership program for eligible locals, available on monthly or yearly intervals. Additionally, they provide pool party packages and movie nights for guests. The pool is incredibly family-friendly, and don’t forget to check out their saunas too!

The Gym

The gym is located upstairs to your left after entering the doors for the pool. It’s equipped with a wide array of equipment, comparable to what you’d find in a large hotel gym. One machine that caught my attention right away is the rowing machine.

I use this machine specifically because it combines muscle building and cardio in one workout. We visit around 10 or more hotels a year, and it always surprises me to find this machine available, as it’s a rarity.

Critique for The New Sanno Hotel Tokyo and Recommendations

One critique I would give the resort is to reconsider the process for New Sanno Hotel reservations. Currently, guests can reserve their desired time without any reservation fee. However, this system may lead to rooms being booked far in advance, potentially limiting availability for others.

As a result, all rooms are being booked, resulting in zero New Sanno Hotel Availability for others until the last minute, making it difficult for them to make reservations. This is exactly how we were able to find last-minute room accommodations.

My suggestion is to implement a reservation fee. This would ensure that people are committed to their reservation by requiring payment upfront. Those booking multiple rooms would need to consider whether they’re willing to incur the fee in case of a cancellation due to missing a Space A flight from Seattle.

As a result, implementing a reservation fee would open up booking spaces for those intending to make the trip. Additionally, if cancellations occur, the hotel would generate extra revenue. From a business standpoint, this strategy seems like a winning approach, improving customer service by opening up spots on the online booking calendar.

Where to eat at The New Sanno Hotel Japan

The Game Room (Casino) and Bar

The food here is prepared in the kitchen of the Pacific Standard restaurant on the first floor. We opted for smaller items like chicken wings to enjoy at the bar area.

The big, leather, comfy chairs were incredibly comfortable, and the ambiance created a fantastic bar-like atmosphere, complete with stained glass artwork. They did an excellent job of making it feel like a welcoming, old-style pub.

Kikuya (Teppanyaki Dining)

After a tiring day, we decided to skip room serviceand visit this restaurant instead. It’s situated on the second floor, alongside the Navy Exchange, pool, and shoppette. The restaurant was perfect, and we were fortunate to enjoy a private dinner experience as we were the only ones at the large hibachi grill area for dinner.

They offer a wide variety of options, and everything we tried was delicious. We indulged in tempura vegetables, fried rice, and numerous other dishes—I lost count! The recommended sake was excellent, and the beer was served cold. You can check out the menu here. 

The New Sanno Hotel offers Many Additional dining options:

• PACIFIC STANDARD: Had a decent Breakfast Buffet
• FAIR WINDS (AMERICAN COCKTAIL LOUNGE): Was nice for a quick bite to eat in the Sports Bar
• HERO’S (AMERICAN FAVORITES): Many standard American Food Options
• SUNRISE BAKERY CAFÉ: Offers Starbucks, Deli Treats and Desserts
• WELLINGTONS (ELEGANT DINING): Upscale Steak and Lobster type vibe with the price
• IN-ROOM & PRIVATE DINING: You have an option to have different dining experiences depending on your needs.

Hero’s Restaurant

Sunrise Bakery Cafe

Nearby Dining Options

Keiryuken

While walking to the Japan Railway, I stumbled upon this charming little spot and decided to look it up on Google. They were incredibly accommodating and spoke English fluently. It had a cozy mom-and-pop style vibe. We arrived around dinner time, right at the opening.

We ordered ramen, edamame, and a few other items. We enjoyed a lovely, quiet dinner and received a warm welcome. I ended up feeling quite stuffed afterward. The prices were more affordable, reflecting local pricing and being much cheaper than the restaurants at the hotel.

Salsita

While strolling through the area to visit Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, we came across Salsita. I was drawn to it by the chili pepper in the restaurant sign. I enjoy trying Mexican food in different countries to assess its authenticity and satisfy my craving.

In Japan, reservations are highly prioritized. Since all the tables for four were booked, we opted for seats at the bar counter. We ordered perfectly made margaritas and a refreshing horchata. Our meal included a variety of dishes such as tamales, chips and salsa, choriqueso, and enchiladas.

The location was fantastic, with a short walk to and from the hotel. I’d rate the food 4 out of 5 stars—it’s pretty impressive considering we’re around 5,000 miles from Mexico. If you’re craving Mexican food and staying at the hotel, this is the place to be.

Truffle Bakery Hiroo:

The bakery is conveniently situated just up the street from the New Sanno Hotel, right before the subway station we used to explore Tokyo. It offers a delightful array of baked goods to satisfy any craving.

They offer an assortment of croissants, bread loaves, and premade sandwiches, including egg salad. One standout item is the flatbread with tuna, cheese, and tomatoes—it was much tastier than anticipated.

The Best Time to Visit & Things to Know About Visiting The New Sanno Hotel

I honestly don’t know if there’s an optimal time to visit the hotel. Military travelers are drawn to this location, and it’s consistently occupied by military personnel. Securing a room through The New Sanno Hotel reservations website can be challenging due to high demand.

Any time of the year is suitable for a visit to the hotel. It’s generally easier to secure a room when PCS (Permanent Change of Station) season is not in full swing.

Things to know about visiting The New Sanno Hotel 

It’s an English-speaking environment, and the tipping culture mirrors that of the United States. Don’t forget your identification as you’ll need it for entry into the building.

They do have a concierge, and they were incredibly helpful when we were trying to figure out how to get to Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay to visit Disney Tokyo. We considered using a baggage service for the experience, but it didn’t seem cost-effective, and we wouldn’t have had our belongings until the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions on visiting The New Sanno Hotel.

Is the new sanno hotel available for reservations under new VA rules allowing access to veterans with service related disabilities? 

If you only hold a VA card and do not have retiree status you can not stay at the hotel. 

Do I need a voltage converter to use USA appliances?

No, this is not needed. 

Should I stay at the New Sanno Hotel if adventuring around Japan or Tokyo with my family?

You have to come visit the award-winning resort/hotel. The New Sanno hotel is brimming with amenities like the pool and bar area, offering luxury for the whole family. We stayed for 5 days but had to change rooms, which was perfectly fine. You’ll adore the hotel, and if you happen to forget something, the Navy Exchange will likely have what you need.

If you found this post helpful in planning a PCS or Vacation let us know! We’d love to know what you think and how we can help provide more information.