Tokyo feels like the capital city of all capital cities. A quintessential concrete jungle, this sprawling megalopolis is a sight in itself, let alone its selection of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, upscale shopping opportunities, and a wide range of high-quality dining opportunities – after all, Tokyo is the most Michelin-starred city in the world.
Being such a huge city to deal with, the only way you’re going to get to the best hotels in Tokyo is to cut right to the chase. And that’s precisely what the list below does, making sure only the coolest, most beautifully designed, and best-located accommodations in the city have made the cut.
1. Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier
Source: booking.comMitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier is a decidedly chic and high-end Tokyo hotel. The rooms are a modern take on Japanese simplicity and minimalism,with a streamlined aesthetic, and are fairly sizeable for Tokyo.
There is a restaurant and bar on-site where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and an elegant dinner in smart surroundings. The setting, on the top floor overlooking Tokyo Tower, makes it that much more amazing.
Location: This hotel is situated amid the nightlife of Roppongi, very close to Tokyo Tower and the shopping and art of Roppongi. The metro station is also very close by, making for a decidedly convenient place to stay.
2. Hotel New Otani Tokyo Garden Tower
Source: booking.comSet in a towering building, this hotel is elegantly decorated, with comfortable rooms equipped with high-end facilities. The guest rooms boast city views, but the highlight of the hotel has to be the 400-year-old Japanese garden situated within the grounds.
Home to one of the largest outdoor swimming pools of any Tokyo hotel, guests can eat at a selection of international restaurants; the 40th floor Bellavista, for example, allows you to dine with views of Tokyo’s skyline.
Location: It’s just a five-minute walk from Nagatacho metro station, and the Imperial Palace is a ten-minute drive away. The gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen and Tokyo Tower are just over a mile away.
3. Hilton Tokyo Odaiba
Source: booking.comSet on the Tokyo Bay island of Odaiba, this hotel is an impressive newly built hotel situated along the waterfront. Views across the bay of Tokyo’s skyline and the Rainbow Bridge are stunning.
The guest rooms at this top Tokyo hotel are designed with pared-back elegance and feature comfortable furnishings and seating areas. The hotel comes with a selection of amenities, including a hair salon, swimming pool, spa, and on-site bar.
Location: Situated on Odaiba island, close to the shopping and entertainment area of Aqua City – and also close to Joyopolis – from here, it’s straightforward to reach Tokyo’s Disneyland or hop on the driverless train to Yurakucho.
4. Park Hyatt Tokyo
Source: booking.comThis is a landmark of Tokyo’s hotel scene. Composed of three towers, it’s a destination in itself. There are multiple drinking and dining options, including the New York Bar, made famous by the film Lost in Translation.
Rooms at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo continue that luxurious feel. They’re all about streamlined Japanese detailing – such as Hokkaido wood paneling – mixed with Western comforts. Beautiful, in a word.
Location: A stone’s throw from the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, from here, Shinjuku Central Park is a three-minute stroll. Bustling Shinjuku Station – and all its eating and drinking options – is 15 minutes away on foot.
5. Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Source: booking.comMid-century modern design throughout this sumptuous luxury hotel makes for a dreamy stay in the Japanese capital. With a history dating back to 1890, today’s Imperial Hotel Tokyo is a modern testament to the service and luxury of the original hotel.
Guests can enjoy dining in one of the 13 restaurants on offer, or drink at one of the three on-site bars – there’s a lot to choose from. There’s also a beauty salon, a fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool, a flower shop, and a hair salon.
Location: Close to three different metro stations, this top Tokyo hotel is set in the high-end Ginza neighbourhood. The Imperial Palace is a five-minute stroll away, and Tokyo Station – with regional train connections – is also close by.
6. Azabu Ten Tokyo
Source: booking.comModern and fresh, Azabu Ten is a contemporary addition to Tokyo’s hotel scene. The bright rooms (there are just ten on offer) at this design hotel offer something a little bit different from the norm in Tokyo and are spacious and elegant.
Each morning, the option of a Japanese or Western breakfast is served up by professional chefs. There is also a beautiful garden to unwind in away from Tokyo’s busy streets.
Location: Set in the upscale yet local neighbourhood of Higashi Azabu, from here, it’s easy to reach Tokyo Tower and the many drinking and dining options of the area. Travelling around the city from nearby Azabujuban metro station is a breeze.
7. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Source: booking.comHotel Chinzanso Tokyo is an oasis in the middle of the city. Set within a traditional and historic Japanese garden, the hotel offers a unique experience on your trip to the Japanese capital. Rooms are luxurious, with marble bathrooms, deep tubs, and high-end furnishings.
Guests can enjoy swimming in the glass-enclosed indoor pool, or dine in one of its three restaurants – including one hung with Venetian chandeliers. There’s also on-site onsen (Japanese hot spring baths) and spa treatments on offer.
Location: Set in Bunkyo, in a more residential area away from the rush of commercial hubs. From here, the nearest metro station is a ten-minute walk away. Shinjuku Gyoen is just over three miles away, while the cherry-blossom-clad Kanda River is nearby.
8. Shangri-La Tokyo
Source: booking.comFacing the Imperial Palace, Shangri-La Tokyo is a gorgeous place to stay. The rooms are opulent and elegant without being over the top, taking understated style to the next level of luxury and sophisticated design.
The hotel occupies the top 11 floors of a skyscraper. Throughout its floor to ceiling windows, guests can catch a view of Mount Fuji (on clear days, at least). Amenities include a heated indoor pool, a spa, a selection of restaurants, and a lobby lounge.
Location: Situated opposite the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station is conveniently nearby (as is Ramen Street at the station). Ginza and its top shopping options are an easy stroll from here, as is Hibiya Park.
9. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Source: booking.comIf you’re looking for a slice of luxury in Tokyo, look no further than Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. The rooms are decorated with gleaming high-end furnishings, plush and sophisticated with a grey colour palette. Large windows with views of the city skyline do the talking, however.
Guests can swim in its outdoor pool surrounded by skyscrapers, and there is a wide choice of dining options (21 in total) inside the hotel. There is also a bar on the 45th floor with stunning panoramic views of the city.
Location: Just a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, set aside from the main hustle and bustle of the area, the Metropolitan Government Building is also a few minutes’ walk away. The nightlife district Kabukicho is just a 15-minute walk.
10. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection
Source: booking.comFrom the moment you enter this hotel, it impresses. Decorated with a classic Japanese minimal aesthetic, the rooms at The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo have pared back furnishings that take centre stage in a delicious display of simplicity.
Each room is sizeable and comes with garden views. Elsewhere at the hotel, there is the chance to relax in the Jacuzzi or swim in the outdoor pool. The multiple on-site restaurants serve a selection of different cuisines.
Location: Situated just a short walk from JR Shinagawa Station, this hotel is a short train ride from Shinjuku and Shibuya. It is easy to connect to Haneda International Airport from Shinagawa, too. Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills are just two miles away.
11. Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Source: booking.comBeautifully decked out rooms at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel display Japanese design flair, with light wood, sparing use of materials, and Japanese style seating areas. Large windows look out across the city – all rooms are 19th floor and above.
This top Tokyo hotel boasts eight restaurants, serving up Chinese, Japanese, and French cuisine, with a top floor bar where you can enjoy live jazz performances. There’s also a beauty salon, nursery, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and even a pastry shop.
Location: Situated in the happening district of Shibuya, this hotel is a five-minute walk from Shibuya Station. It’s within easy reach of top sights such as Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and all the nightlife, dining, and shopping of the area.
12. Peninsula Tokyo
Source: booking.comPeninsula Tokyo is yet another high-end hotel in the Japanese capital that does not disappoint. Creating its own identity with distinguished rooms featuring traditional Japanese aesthetics (and complete with marble bathrooms), it’s a wonderful place to stay.
There are numerous dining options on-site serving up everything from cocktails to high tea; many of them boast views of the Tokyo skyline. Guests can also look forward to a fitness club and an indoor swimming pool.
Location: Situated in central Chiyoda and overlooking the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, from here, Ginza and its shopping is a three-minute stroll. This hotel also connects directly to Hibiya metro station, making it very convenient to get around.
13. Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main
Source: booking.comHotel New Otani Tokyo The Main is a classic Tokyo site, with historic gardens as part of the bargain. Rooms are elegant and tastefully furnished, with easygoing lounge areas, soft lighting, and floor to ceiling windows; even the bathtubs are traditional style.
The hotel also offers the chance for guests to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, alongside a meal in one of its 32 on-site restaurants. Relaxation, convenience, and good taste abound at this mind-boggling hotel.
Location: An excellent central location in Tokyo, this hotel is on the doorstep of five different metro lines. From here, it’s easy to reach the Japanese Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen, and nightlife and restaurants close by.
14. Sheraton Miyako Hotel
Source: booking.comThe Sheraton Miyako Hotel is a gorgeous place to stay in the Japanese capital, and easily finds itself a spot on this list of the best hotels in Tokyo. Its minimal, elegant rooms feel welcoming after a day out in the big city; they are surprisingly spacious, with marble bathrooms and treetop views.
The hotel boasts an on-site spa and an indoor swimming pool for when you’re not exploring the city. There’s also the choice of two restaurants to dine in – as well as a bar and a lounge for unwinding in.
Location: Set in Shirokanedai, a five-minute drive from Meguro Station (good for catching the JR Yamanote loop line), it’s just six miles from here to Haneda International Airport, meaning a flight in – or out – is a short taxi ride away.
15. The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Source: booking.comThe Prince Park Tower Tokyo is all kinds of cool, with spacious, contemporary rooms that boast incredible city or park views. They have seating areas, large beds, and wood-clad bathrooms – a design-lovers dream.
The hotel has a relaxing ambience and some fun entertainment options, including a bowling alley and karaoke. There is also a swimming pool for guests to use, and no less than ten dining options.
Location: Right next door to Tokyo Tower and overlooking Shiba Park, staying here means being within walking distance of a selection of metro stations. Also nearby is Roppongi Hills (one mile), with Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu three miles away.