The New Otani is one of Tokyo’s best known hotels, and became an effective home-from-home for me on four separate visits, in total lasting over a month.

It’s not the hippest or coolest of hotels: it’s a seventies-built complex, firmly middle-class and almost, but not quite, staid. But it has a host of facilities befitting its size and status, fantastic service, and a good location away from the bustle of the Central or Shinjuku districts, yet is easily accessible by metro and the Yamamote loop line of Japanese railways.

It’s also huge: the complex of three towers and interconnecting buildings includes just short of 1,500 bedrooms, 37 bars and restaurants, 35 banqueting suites, and an up-market shopping arcade with 100 shops. The main attraction for many is the extensive garden, set over 16 acres and once part of a Shogun palace, which dates back to the 16th century. The grounds include streams, ponds, a waterfall (lots of koi carp), rose garden and formal Japanese garden. Several of the restaurants and bars are located in the grounds.

Other facilities include (deep breath!): a tea house, outdoor swimming pool, business center, member-only health club and spa, beauty salon, hair dresser, beauty parlor, photo studio, nursery, dentist, post office, cash dispenser, flower shop, travel agency, laundry service, shoe shine service, and even an ecumenical chapel (for both weddings and Sunday services).

The rooms are in the process of being refurbished, and to be honest they were looking a little tired. But they are spacious, and include touches like retractable rice-paper style screens (in place of net curtains), electronically operated curtains, and even low level lighting for finding your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night (and a torch if that’s not enough). There’s a hairdryer, internet access and ironing facilities as well (of course).

Guests are given a bathrobe, yakuta (a lightweight cotton kimono), slippers, and a range of toiletries. I was really impressed that I was supplied with a set of men’s toiletries only - ie they had taken into account I was a man staying on my own. This included a razor, shaving foam and after shave balm, as well as the usual bath gels and hand cream. Another thoughtful touch was a rear-heated bathroom mirror, so it doesn’t steam up if you want to shave after your shower.

I found room service, cleaning, laundry service and reception all to be very professional and helpful.

In terms of price, you can get some excellent room deals, (some include the amazing buffet breakfast, in the cafe overlooking the waterfall) and acquiring a New Otani Club card gets you all sorts of discounts and the scope to bypass the queues. Another tip is to ensure you are staying in one of the refurbished rooms, in the ‘Main’ hotel (I always stayed here): these are nicer and more spacious than the ‘Tower’.

The downside is that all the other extras really can set you back. Room service (food) and items such as coffee and afternoon tea are expensive, as is the spa if you are not a member, so check about such things if you are on a budget. As is customary in Japan, a service charge is also added on to your room bill (the upside being that you don’t tip anyone directly).

Eating is something else where you could accidentally blow your budget in one go (which is true of Tokyo in general). The two top notch Japanese and French restaurants have set dinner menus for around £130 a head - yes, that’s £130, and before adding wine, water, coffee, or service charge. Some of the bars in the complex do reasonable (and reasonably-priced) food, but to be honest you’d be much better off wandering round the streets near Akasaka-Mitsuke metro station, where there are plenty of more reasonable choices, for around £25 a head and upwards. (Besides, who eats in their hotel when abroad, anyway?)

Overall, although it’s not in the ‘budget’ category, with a little careful planning and deal-searching, I found this to be a great choice.