6 best hotels in Tokyo

I love TokyoI think it is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I love the orderliness of the crowds amidst the chaos. I love this fast-paced, modern city that also retains its traditions.

It is also a huge city with countless Incredible sights and activitiesNo matter how many times I go (and no matter how much sushi I eat), I always leave wanting more.

As one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo has a plethora of hotels. I’ve visited the city six times over the years and have stayed in a lot of different places, from cheap capsule hotels to luxurious five-star hotels. If you’re planning a trip, here are what I consider to be the best hotels in Tokyo:

1. Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower

This 4-star hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station and offers stunning views of the Shinjuku skyline (tip: request a room as high up as possible to enjoy the view). The large breakfast buffet has a good selection of Western and Japanese dishes, but there’s a 7/11 on the ground floor of the building for quick meals, and plenty of other restaurants within a short walk. It’s a large hotel (300+ rooms) so it doesn’t feel very personal, but the location makes up for it.

The spacious rooms have a modern design (especially for Japan), but I felt they were a little too beige. All rooms come with a desk, electric kettle, safe, TV, mini fridge, and even a small sofa. The bathrooms are a good size (Tokyo bathrooms are often small) with a tub/shower combo, good water pressure, and a bidet in the toilet. I also appreciated that instead of plastic water bottles in the rooms, there were purified water dispensers on each floor (a small stainless steel water bottle is provided that you can take back to your room). Overall, this is a good choice for travelers who want a more upscale stay in the city center.

2. Blue Tower

This five-star hotel is located in a high-rise building in the heart of Shibuya, one of the city’s most popular areas. The hotel is massive, with eight different restaurants and bars (I’m partial to the jazz club) and 24/7 room service. I loved the large Western breakfast buffet at one of the restaurants, while another offered a Japanese breakfast set menu. There’s also a nice spa on site with massages, as well as a beautiful heated indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and a well-equipped fitness center (so you can work off all that sushi).

I particularly like that, since the entire building starts on the 19th floor, you’re guaranteed to have a great view from your room. All spacious rooms have a simple yet modern design and come with a Japanese green tea set, desk, flat-screen TV, reclining chair, fridge, safe and minibar. The bathrooms feature luxurious L’Occitane bath products, large bathtubs and plush bathrobes. Book a room on the executive floor for even more perks, like a welcome drink and lounge access (there’s always snacks available, and a daily happy hour). If you want luxury in Tokyo, stay here.

3. Meimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi Store

Mimaru is a Japanese apartment hotel chain that’s great for longer stays. It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with friends or family, as there are apartments that can accommodate up to 6 people. There are a lot of different locations in Tokyo, but I like the one in Ueno because it’s just a short walk from the city’s biggest and best museums. Each room has a kitchen with a stove, sink, electric kettle, microwave, refrigerator, and basic kitchen utensils like pans, utensils, and cutting boards. I like that you can also rent additional kitchen utensils, such as a rice cooker or toaster, if needed. (As an apartment hotel, there is no restaurant or breakfast on site.)

Designed in traditional Japanese style while still being modern, the apartment comes with firm futon beds, a dining area, wardrobe, safe, flat-screen TV, humidifier and air purifier. The stylish bathroom has a bathtub/shower combination, separate from the toilet (complete with bidet) and even separate from the sink. If you’re traveling with friends or family, this is a convenient and affordable option.

4. Hotel The Celestine Ginza

Celestine is another high-rise hotel in the upscale Ginza neighborhood, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. The staff at this 4-star hotel are very friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a great stay. I love that they offer a variety of breakfast options, so you can change your breakfast every morning and choose from French toast, American breakfast (with options like scrambled eggs, sausage, and fruit), or Japanese breakfast (with grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and an ever-changing selection of sides).

The rooms here are a bit small, but they are always kept clean and equipped with many amenities. All rooms have desks, blackout curtains, flat-screen TVs, safes, Nespresso coffee machines, electric kettles, and minibars. Some rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows; others have comfy sofas. The spacious bathrooms have shower/tub combinations, bidets, bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries (including toothbrushes and razors). They even provide pajamas, which I thought was a nice extra. If you want to stay in Ginza, the best area in the city for shopping, stay here.

5. Mustard Hotel

Opened in late 2021, Mustard is a three-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Shimokita, a low-key area for those who love independent bookstores, trendy cafes, thrift stores, and avant-garde restaurants. Mustard Hotel retains the vibe of the neighborhood, and the design of the entire hotel is sleek and minimalist. Naturally, there are record players in the rooms that can play a variety of vinyl records, and there is also a coffee roastery on site that serves third-wave coffee and freshly baked bagels.

The rooms are very minimalist (a bit too basic in my opinion) with just an electric kettle and a record player above the table. The bathrooms vary depending on the room type you choose (some have a bathtub and shower, while others only have a shower), but free toiletries and pajamas are provided. This is a good place to stay for travelers who plan to go out a lot but want to stay in a cooler area.

6. Marunouchi Hotel

This 4-star hotel is located in Marunouchi, a central neighborhood with easy access to the rest of the city. It’s right next to Tokyo Station, which is very convenient if you’re planning a day trip or taking the train to other parts of Japan. The hotel has several good restaurants, including a French restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a teppanyaki restaurant. For breakfast, you can choose between a Western breakfast buffet or a Japanese set menu (both were delicious). The hotel also has a fitness center (a facility I’ve come to appreciate more and more as I’ve gotten older).

All rooms have large windows (some with views of the historic train station) and feature a modern Japanese design with light wood panelling and cream walls. The large standard double rooms have a large bed, desk and small seating area. All rooms also have a TV, safe and electric kettle with tea and coffee bags. Bathrobes, slippers and pajamas are also provided, and I like that you can borrow other things you might need, such as power adapters, chargers and even yoga mats. The bathrooms are small but well-appointed, with lots of free toiletries, a bidet toilet and a shower/tub combination. Overall, this hotel has a bit of a business vibe (because of the location), but it’s really convenient and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Tokyo This is one of my favorite cities. You could easily spend a week here and not be able to scratch the surface of what there is to see and do. Just make sure to stay in one of the hotels listed above during your trip. Do so, and you’ll be sure to have a great time in this sprawling, high-tech metropolis.