Finding the perfect hotel in Tokyo can be a challenge, especially considering its vast size and incredible variety! From sleek skyscrapers to traditional temples, Tokyo is a thrilling city that offers something for everyone. But don’t worry! We’ve compiled a list of ten fabulous hotels that will make your Tokyo trip unforgettable.
Finding Your Ideal Tokyo Oasis
The key to a successful Tokyo trip is finding the right hotel to match your travel style. Whether you crave a traditional Japanese experience, a sleek modern escape, or a touch of European elegance, there’s a perfect place waiting for you. Instead of focusing solely on location, consider what you want most from your hotel after a day of exploring: a refreshing dip in a pool, a vibrant in-house bar, or a peaceful retreat to unwind.
Cultural Immersion: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
For a truly unique experience, immerse yourself in Japanese culture at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. This luxurious skyscraper ryokan offers a serene escape from the bustling city. Step into a world of tatami floors, shoji screen doors, and the calming scent of incense. The elegant lobby with its tea ceremony salon sets the tone for a tranquil stay. Enjoy plush rooms with raised futon beds, deep soaking tubs, and cozy kimono-style pajamas. The highlight is the 17th-floor onsen-spa, with its hot spring waters pumped from deep beneath the city. The vaulted roof allows you to relax under the open sky. Indulge in exquisite French-Japanese tasting menus at the basement restaurant, or savor a delicious in-room bento box breakfast.
Budgeting Beauty: Omo by Hoshino Resorts, Otsuka
Don’t let Tokyo’s reputation for high prices scare you off! Omo by Hoshino Resorts offers stylish and affordable accommodations in the charming neighborhood of Otsuka. This modern hotel has a cozy, intimate feel, a rarity in a metropolis full of towering skyscrapers. Clever design maximizes space in each room, with loft-style beds suspended above tatami mat seating areas. The laundry room on the fifth floor is a budget-friendly perk. Enjoy the all-day cafe, which seamlessly transforms from breakfast spot to coffee shop to bar. Join a local tour led by an “Omo Ranger,” who will introduce you to the area’s best tempura, ramen, and bars.
Loft-Style Cool: The Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Park Hyatt Tokyo redefined Tokyo hotel style in 2017 with its chic, design-forward concept. This boutique hotel channels the cool vibes of NYC, offering a universally appealing blend of sophistication and style. Located near Cat Street in the bustling Shibuya shopping area, the hotel’s lounge, restaurants, and shop attract fashionable Tokyoites and hotel guests alike. The minimalist bedrooms are breezy and inviting, some even featuring balconies with hammocks. Larger suites include kitchen areas and terraces, perfect for entertaining. Don’t miss the rooftop, a popular venue for city weddings. This hotel is a true icon of Tokyo cool.
Royal Luxury: The Imperial Hotel
Experience luxury fit for royalty at The Imperial Hotel, a long-time favorite of Tokyo’s elite. This elegant hotel is located just steps from the Imperial Palace, the city’s most exclusive address, and near the upscale Ginza district. The hotel boasts spacious rooms, some with balconies, offering stunning views of the moat-carved gardens. The breakfast buffet is a feast for the senses, with elegant platings of grilled fish, pickled plums, rice, miso soup, eggs benedict, and croissants. The hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants: French-inspired Esterre and Chinese-focused Amber Palace. Indulge in fine dining and royal service at this iconic Tokyo landmark.
Solo Traveler’s Haven: One@Tokyo
One@Tokyo is a budget-friendly option with a high-profile pedigree, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Tokyo Skytree observatory tower, this hotel is a great choice for solo travelers seeking comfort and privacy. The communal spaces, from the open lobby to the rooftop garden, seamlessly blend industrial metallics with warm woods and calming grey tones. The standard semi-double rooms are perfect for solo travelers, offering a step up from traditional capsule hotels. Long-stay discounts are available, making it a great base for day trips outside the city.
Amenity Paradise: The Peninsula Tokyo
Think of The Peninsula Tokyo as more of an urban resort than a hotel. This sprawling property, once used as a filming location for the James Bond film “You Only Live Twice,” is situated amidst verdant parks in the central Chiyoda ward. The hotel boasts 10 acres of 400-year-old Japanese gardens, a rarity in Tokyo, and an al fresco swimming pool. With over 1,400 rooms spread across three wings and over three dozen dining options, this hotel offers a wealth of amenities. Executive House Zen guests can enjoy complimentary nibbles and drinks in the lounge.
Bookworm’s Sanctuary: The Book & Bed Tokyo
For book lovers, The Book & Bed Tokyo is a literary paradise. The hotel boasts a collection of over 1,500 books, showcased in a double-height atrium lined with wooden shelves. Enjoy a fireside library lounge and book corners on each floor, each themed around different aspects of Japanese culture. The cozy, contemporary rooms are the perfect place to curl up with a good read, and the views of Tokyo Tower at night are breathtaking.
Family Fun: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Park Hyatt Tokyo is an ideal choice for families, offering reasonable prices, a prime location near Shinjuku Station, and stunning views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. The spacious four-bed rooms are perfect for families, although the decor might be considered bland. The hotel offers on-site cultural experiences like tea ceremonies, making it easy to immerse yourself in Japanese tradition. The seventh-floor outdoor pool, 11 restaurants, and a laundromat add to the family-friendly appeal.
Nightlife Lover’s Paradise: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is a stylish and fun hotel located in the heart of Shinjuku’s famous Kabukicho entertainment district. This new hotel embodies the energy and excitement of the city’s party heart, with modern rooms that offer floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the neon lights below. The rooms feature electric-hued carpets, occasional pop art wall murals, and a vibrant atmosphere. The lower floors of the hotel are home to a retro-styled arcade, cinema, live music space, and a food hall with regional dishes, ensuring entertainment around the clock.
European Elegance: The Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel, a grand dame opened in 1915, transports you to a bygone era of European elegance. This iconic hotel, located within the original 20th-century Tokyo Station, exudes charm with its red brick exterior and soaring domes. Step inside and be captivated by the old-world European opulence of chandeliers, marble, and button-back headboards. Enjoy tea in the high-ceilinged lobby lounge, filled with live piano music and the clink of silverware. End the day at the venerable Bar Oak, which serves a wide selection of Japanese whiskies in its moody, wood-lined setting. The hotel’s unbeatable location at Tokyo Station, the main Shinkansen (bullet train) terminal, makes it easy to explore other destinations like Kyoto and Osaka.
