THERE will, of course, be a time when you are at Tokyo's Disneyland that you have to sleep. And the likelihood is that you will have small children with you. As you do not want to be holed up in an entire hotel devoted to all things child-like, pick out a place that knows what kids like, but also respects what adults want as well.

The Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay is one grand dame herself - at the age of 20, she's just been given a complete US$10 million facelift that makes it one of the snazziest hotels in Tokyo Bay.

The Sheraton brand has of late embarked on a mission to go beyond offering just the luxury comforts of plush bedding and high-tech gadgets. A holistic approach to travel means that once you check in, your holiday begins. As an official Disney hotel, you can buy your tickets to the resort at specially assigned counters in its swish and huge lobby. The lobby itself is not a place just to get your room key and dump your luggage. There is a games table outfitted with fast-paced video games, and a 24-hour Internet section that has enough laptops to ensure that you do not have to wait for your turn to take advantage of the free Internet access.

The ultimate piece de resistance, though, is for the kids. The entire eighth floor is dedicated to them, nicknamed the Treasure Floor for its lift lobby that is covered in eye-popping murals and kiddie knick-knacks ready to intrigue any struggling youngster. You can even trick them into thinking that Mickey Mouse lives there - in one corner of the wall is a tiny door that actually opens. And in the equally cheerful bedrooms, kids can make a game out of locating the tiny door in each room.

The big plus about Sheraton is that while it is certainly kid-friendly, the overall ambience is grown up. That extends to the quality of the in-house restaurants, especially Maihama Teppanyaki which serves up some very sophisticated cooking including pan-fried abalone and its liver in butter sauce, as well as lip-smacking Japanese beef done to your liking. There is even a Nadaman here - a name noted for its history and quality - and the traditional Japanese kaiseki is a tough act to follow.

But, this is Disney, and as you meander out of the lobby to catch the irresistibly charming Mickey Mouse shuttle bus - where everything from the door to its exhaust pipes are shaped like mouse ears - you know you have entered a happy place, in more ways than one.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, 1-9 Maihama, Urayasu City, Chiba 279-0031 Japan. Tel: 81-47-355-5555. www.sheratontokyobay.co.jp