Top 6 Hotels in Tokyo

I love Tokyo. I think it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I love the organized crowds where you would expect chaos. I love that it’s a fast-paced, contemporary city that still honors its traditions.

It’s also a huge city with an endless array of amazing things to see and do. No matter how many times I visit (or how much sushi I eat), I always leave wanting more.

As one of the world’s largest cities, there are a ton of hotels here. Having visited the city half a dozen times over the years, I’ve stayed in a variety of places, from budget capsule hotels to five-star luxury properties. If you’re planning a trip, these are what I think are the best hotels in Tokyo:

1. South Tower of Odakyu Hotel Century

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station, this four-star hotel offers fantastic views of the Shinjuku skyline (tip: ask for a room as high up as possible for the views). The substantial breakfast buffet offers plenty of Western and Japanese options, although there’s a 7/11 right at the base of the building for quick bites and plenty of other restaurants within walking distance. It’s a huge hotel (over 300 rooms) so it doesn’t feel very personal, but the excellent location more than makes up for that.

The spacious (especially for Japan) guest rooms have a contemporary design, although I find them a bit too beige. All rooms have a desk, electric kettle, safe, TV, mini fridge, and even a small sofa. The bathrooms are a decent size (typically in Tokyo they can be quite small), with a tub/shower combo with good water pressure and a toilet with a bidet. I also appreciate that instead of providing plastic water bottles in the room, there are purified water dispensers on each floor (a small stainless steel jug is provided so you can take it to your room). Overall, this is a great choice for travelers who want a central, more upscale stay.

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2. Cerulean Tower

This five-star hotel, housed in a skyscraper, is located right in the center of Shibuya, one of the most popular areas of the city. The hotel is huge, with eight different restaurants and bars (I’m partial to the jazz club) and 24/7 room service. I love that one restaurant serves a large Western-style breakfast buffet, while another serves a Japanese breakfast set menu. There’s also a nice spa on site with massage services available, as well as a gorgeous indoor heated pool, sauna, hot tub, and fully equipped fitness center (so you can work off all that sushi).

I especially like that since the entire hotel complex starts on the 19th floor, you are guaranteed a great view from your room. All of the spacious rooms have a simple yet modern design, with Japanese green tea sets, a work desk, a flat-screen TV, a chaise lounge, a refrigerator, a safe, and a minibar. The bathrooms are equipped with luxury 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 (where snacks are always available, as well as a daily happy hour). If you’re looking for luxury in Tokyo, stay here.

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3. Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi

Mimaru is a Japanese chain of serviced apartments that are perfect for extended stays. It’s also great if you’re traveling with friends or family, as there are apartments that can accommodate up to six people. There are a ton of different locations in Tokyo, but I like the one in Ueno because you’re just a short walk from the city’s biggest and best museums. Each unit has a kitchen with a stovetop, sink, electric kettle, microwave, refrigerator, and basic kitchen utensils like pots, pans, cutlery, and cutting boards. I like that you can also rent additional kitchen appliances to suit your needs, like a rice cooker or toaster. (As a serviced apartment, there is no restaurant or breakfast available on-site.)

The apartments are designed in a traditional Japanese style with a contemporary twist, featuring firm futon beds, a dining area, a closet, a safe, a flat-screen TV, a humidifier, and an air purifier. The elegant bathrooms have a tub/shower combination that is in a separate room from the toilet (which has a bidet), which is even separate from the sink. It’s a convenient and affordable choice if you’re traveling with friends or family.

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4. The Celestine Ginza

The Celestine is another hotel located in a tower, on a street lined with shops, restaurants and bars in the upscale Ginza district. A four-star property, the staff here are really friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a great stay. I like that they offer a variety of breakfast options, so you can change it up each morning by choosing between French toast, an American breakfast (with options like scrambled eggs, sausage and fruit) or a Japanese breakfast (with grilled fish, miso soup, rice and different sides).

The rooms are a bit small, but still very clean and have plenty of amenities. All rooms have a desk, blackout curtains, a flat-screen TV, a safe, a Nespresso machine, an electric kettle, and a minibar. Some have floor-to-ceiling windows; others have comfy sofas. The spacious bathrooms have a shower/tub combo, a bidet, bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries (including a toothbrush and razor). They even provide pajamas, which I think is a nice touch. If you want to stay in Ginza, the best shopping area in the city, stay here.

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5. The Mustard Hotel

Opened in late 2021, Mustard is a three-star boutique hotel in the center of Shimokita, a low-key area for those who love independent bookstores, trendy cafes, thrift stores, and cutting-edge restaurants. Mustard Hotel maintains the neighborhood vibe, as the entire place has a trendy, minimalist design. Naturally, rooms come with turntables with a selection of vinyl, and there’s an on-site coffee roaster serving third-wave coffee and freshly baked bagels.

The rooms are incredibly minimal (a little too bare, in my opinion), with just an electric kettle and the aforementioned record player on a desk. Bathrooms vary depending on the type of room you choose (some have a tub and shower, while others just a shower), but they do include free toiletries and pajamas. This is a good place to stay for travelers who plan on getting out of their room a lot but want to stay somewhere cool in an even cooler area.

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6. Marunouchi Hotel

This four-star hotel is located in Marunouchi, a central neighborhood that offers easy access to the rest of the city. It is right next to Tokyo Station, which makes it really convenient if you are planning day trips or going elsewhere in Japan by train. The property has several nice restaurants, including French, Japanese, and teppanyaki. For breakfast, you can choose between the Western buffet or a Japanese set menu (both delicious). There is also a fitness center (something I appreciate more and more as I get older).

All rooms have large windows (some overlooking the historic train station) and a modern Japanese design, with light wood paneling and cream walls. The large standard double rooms have oversized beds, a desk and a 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 or even yoga mats. The bathrooms are small but well equipped, with plenty of free toiletries, a bidet and a shower/tub combination. Overall, the hotel has a bit of a business feel (due to the area), but it is really convenient and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

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Tokyo is one of my favorite cities in the world. You could easily spend a week here and not even scratch the surface of what there is to see and do. Just make sure you stay at one of the hotels above during your trip. Do so and you’re sure to have a fantastic time in this massive, high-tech metropolis.