Fire hits Palace Hotel, forcing 260 guests to evacuate after midnight

Friday 20th June, 07:43 AM JST

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NeoJamal at 09:13 AM JST - 20th June

It's an old crappy hotel, they should let it burn and build one worthy of the name and location.

You want the hotel to outshine the palace itself do you?
Sherman at 09:27 AM JST - 20th June

Prince Andrew was destined to stay there a year or so ago. When his staff checked it out they spotted not only fire risks but the security was appalling. This should have been the writing on the wall.
hagent at 09:51 AM JST - 20th June

The article is accurate. I'm one of the guests.

At around 12:20 I could smell something weird from the ventilation but after a few minutes it seemed to have went away.

The fire alarm went off for a brief moment and there was an announcement around 12:40 am, but it was in Japanese only.

A few minutes later there was another announcement followed by an English version that said there had been a fire in the basement but it was put out.

A few minutes later another announcement occurred and they said if you wanted to come to the lobby you could or you could stay in your room.

The last message said that there was a fire and that we needed to leave immediately, and the last word was "evacuate" This time though the announcers’ voice was in a panic and you could here many other voices in the back ground.

I immediately got my important things and headed down the stair well and somewhere between the 4th and 3rd floors you could smell the toxic smoke. I am on the 7th floor right as I type this. The stair well door opened up to the lobby and you could see a white haze of smoke in the air and a lot of people leaving the building. We were not allowed back in until around 4 am.

I want to thank the Tokyo fire department for the tremendous effort that was involved in putting out this fire, a their fast response time We counted over 30 fire trucks and one Super Ambulance (wish we had them back home).

The hotel staff was very thoughtful and brought us water, coffee, beer, chairs, blankets and some small sandwidges while we were kept from our rooms.

I am very happy to hear that no one was hurt.

Yours Truly,

Hagen Tannberg
Kijimuna at 10:33 AM JST - 20th June

Hagent, did the fire smell electrical? Having also stayed there recently I'm very skeptical about the kitchen business.
williamsmith at 11:10 AM JST - 20th June

If it ain't good enough for Prince Andrew then it ain't good enough for me. After all he spends time at the abomination that is Buckingham palace. With all the nice hotels in Tokyo now, why stay at such places as the Palace or Imperial? They suck.
Noripinhead at 12:01 PM JST - 20th June

Isn't this hotel scheduled for demolition and reconstruction anyway?
timorborder at 12:02 PM JST - 20th June

With regard to the number of fire trucks, it has to be remembered that the standard Japanese fire vehicle is somewhat smaller than those used in many western countries. After reading Hagen's post, it is good to see that the hotel staff were quick to hand out the beer.
tokyotom at 12:16 PM JST - 20th June

hotel is due to rebuilt from 2009, this may get bumped up now, i think 35 floors or something, there was concern about people spying on the imperial family! maybe they hunt rabbits.......
GG2141 at 02:26 PM JST - 20th June

Mr. Tannberg: Did they give you a discount for the inconvenience??? A free nights stay??

Just curious.
some14some at 02:32 PM JST - 20th June

why stay at such places as the Palace or Imperial?

better we ask this question to former Finance Minister who was one the guests that night !
magpie at 02:40 PM JST - 20th June

It is really an old run down hotel and incoveniently located for access to the metor and everything. Better off staying at the Seiyo Ginza or Four Seasons Marunouchi if you want a small comfortable hotel. If you want modern luxury, Mandarin orietnal.
frontandcentre at 04:03 PM JST - 20th June

You're right - the Palace Hotel is going to be rebuilt. I think it has the best location of any hotel in Tokyo, and I hope the replacement isn't yet ANOTHER Mid-Town type 30 floors of offices with a hotel perched on top. It would be much better if they can build a replacement which is a similar number of floors or a bit taller - otherwise it'll be just another Otemachi skyscraper rather than a real hotel...
jazzneko at 04:21 PM JST - 20th June

I'm also a guest currently staying at the Palace Hotel who was caught up in last night's goings on. There seem to be a lot of very negative posts here with regard to the hotel which I feel obligated to counter for balance. True, it is not the most modern hotel out there, and agreed it isn't too easy on the eye from outside, but it is very conveniently located and I have found the rooms and service to be completely satisfactory. If you want a five star hotel then you can of course pay more and get that elsewhere.

I'd echo what Hagen has said in that the staff were very thoughtful and kind throughout the night, and genuinely apologetic for the inconvenience once we were able to re-enter the building. Sometimes these things happen in life, and I think what's most important to judge here is the hotel's response to the problem, rather than people's dislike of the building - personally, I found sitting outside in the warm night air, sitting in a comfy seat and being served beer and sandwiches while watching the scores of firefighters milling about quite entertaining once it was clear that noone had been injured or was in danger, so have no complaints. Had I been on an early morning flight home I might have been more irked...

Thanks to the staff and the Tokyo Fire Department for your attention and kindness.
hagent at 05:11 AM JST - 23rd June

Hi GG2141,

I believe the took off one nights stay from the bill.

Hi Kijimuna,

I'm not sure what an electrical fire smells like... The smoke was white so there appears to be little oil/plastic based products burnt. Although may be some kitchen grease? When I went down stairs to the restaraunt that had the fire the next day I could see a few fire officals still there. I could not see any fire damage because I did not have a view of the kitchen.

Hagen
Kijimuna at 10:38 AM JST - 26th June

Thanks Hagen for your feedback