5-Star Hotels in Tokyo

I come to Tokyo several times a year, staying a fortnight or more each time. This time I spent seven nights at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. The room faced Hie Shrine. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows I could see the shrine's copper roof and half of Tokyo's skyline. The décor was modern without excess; the layout flowed easily, Bose speakers hidden in the walls, another set in the bathroom ceiling, connected by a 3.5mm jack. The curtains were motorized, though you hardly needed to close them. The turndown service. I would leave in the evening and return late to find the room changed: only the hallway light and bedside lamp left on, a bottle of water and a glass on the nightstand, two chocolates beside them. The evening tea and teacup, previously stored in the cabinet, had been moved next to the coffee machine. These changes were so slight you had to think back carefully to confirm they had happened at all. The temperature and humidity had been adjusted. As if the room itself remembered your habits. Room service fell short of the ryokan in Hakone or Lake Toya, but well above the ordinary hotel. Each day I made two or three cups of complimentary coffee, played music, read, wrote. In seven days I finished three books. The research ahead began to take shape. There were drawbacks. No washing machine, but a decent laundromat ten minutes' walk away—a chance to wander the streets of Akasaka. The room provided HDMI and ethernet ports but no cables; for those who came to rest, perhaps a mercy. The minibar fridge was mostly occupied by drinks for purchase, same as the Imperial, though there was still room for my sparkling water. The day I left it was half past five and fully dark. I could barely make out the faces of the bellhop and the taxi driver. Together they loaded my luggage into the boot. I wished the bellhop a happy new year in Japanese and told her I liked her hat. She smiled and returned the greeting. As the taxi pulled out of the underground drive, I thought of the inns Kawabata once wrote about: what had to be sought in the mountains of snow country can now be reached by elevator from the B2 exit of a metro station. I have watched the Shinagawa Prince Hotel loosen quietly over time, slip a little. That kind of decline is rarely one great error. It begins the day someone forgets to leave a glass of water, neglects to move a packet of tea, omits a newspaper. As for The Capitol Hotel Tokyu: in Japanese, what I experienced over these seven days is called ちょうどいい.

The hotel's location and surroundings are excellent. The only minor inconvenience was having to walk all the way around to access the garden downstairs; I'm not sure if we just missed a more direct entrance. On our second day in Tokyo, we experienced a typhoon with strong winds and heavy rain, but the soundproofing in the room was so good we couldn't hear a thing – it was incredibly quiet. Getting around was also very convenient, as it's close to the subway station, making it easy to reach popular areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza.

As a Mitsui Group hotel, it exudes a strong Japanese vibe from the moment you step in. If you're looking to experience Japan's version of 'Atour' and immerse yourself in local Japanese culture, I highly recommend this hotel. We booked a premium twin room with breakfast for two nights a month in advance for 2980 yen, which was a great deal comparatively. Facilities: The room facilities are excellent. Both the showerhead and hairdryer are high-end, reputable brands, supposedly quite expensive. The room features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a direct view of 'Tokyo's Wall Street,' allowing you to soak in the atmosphere of the classic financial district. The room is quite spacious, with a desk and a sofa, which is a nice touch. The air purifier and humidifier quickly help cool down the room. The biggest highlight of this hotel is the ability to open the windows; although not a direct opening, a special mechanism ensures direct air circulation with the outside, a feature many hotels lack. Cleanliness: Overall cleanliness is excellent; I didn't find any water stains. Environment: The environment is fantastic, with a very high-end decor that feels incredibly comfortable. Mitsukoshimae Station on the Asakusa Line is right downstairs, making it super convenient for getting around. Service: The staff are very friendly and enthusiastic; the front desk always greets you proactively. Breakfast is classic Japanese style, with fewer Western options. I'd suggest trying breakfast for just one day. While it's unique, the taste is average, and many of the Japanese cold dishes might not appeal to everyone's palate. Plus, breakfast at this hotel is a bit pricey, making it less value for money.

This hotel is conveniently located on Odaiba waterfront, right above a subway station. There are also many shopping malls nearby, making it easy to dine and shop. After a meal, taking a stroll in the opposite seaside park is very pleasant. Upon check-in, we were informed that there was renovation near our original 8th-floor room, so they upgraded us to a 23rd-floor room with an incredible view. There are three breakfast restaurants, including a sushi restaurant on the 30th floor, and the food is delicious! There's also an airport shuttle stop right outside the main entrance, making it a short trip to Haneda Airport.

Everyone knows how it is with Tokyo hotels – you open your suitcase and there's no room to move. But that's definitely not the case at the Shiomi Prince. We had a triple room with three beds, and it still didn't feel cramped, which is a huge plus in Tokyo. The hotel itself isn't a traditional business hotel either; it has a strong sense of design. You can see the thought put into it right from the lobby: a massive modern art mural, high ceilings, low-saturation furniture, and even Japanese parasol decorations, blending modern design with traditional elements. It doesn't feel like they just piled on luxurious materials for the sake of it, but rather it's youthful, stylish, and has a touch of an art hotel. It's easy to snap some great photos there. What truly impressed me, though, was the breakfast. The breakfast selection itself was very rich, with plenty of Japanese, Western, hot dishes, vegetables, eggs, rice, and other options. But two things, in particular, are worth mentioning. One was the limited-edition bluefin tuna sashimi. It's rare to find bluefin tuna at a hotel breakfast, and here it was prepared by a chef on the spot. Even though it's limited, this kind of offering immediately sets it apart from a typical hotel buffet breakfast. The other thing I liked even more: the DIY onsen egg and beef bowl. You lay the beef over hot rice, then add two soft, runny onsen eggs. With a poke of the chopsticks, the orange yolk flows directly into the beef and rice, and it smells incredibly fragrant when mixed. For my breakfast, I'd also have bacon, fried eggs, broccoli, and pumpkin, followed by coffee with a muffin or doughnut – a full boost of energy to start the day.

[HOSHINOYA Tokyo: A Vertical Ryokan Experience] HOSHINOYA Tokyo offers a truly unique concept. It is a traditional Japanese ryokan built vertically within a modern skyscraper, located in the prestigious Otemachi district. It provides a serene, luxurious escape right in the middle of the bustling city, perfectly blending classic ryokan hospitality with world-class modern design. We enjoyed a wonderful three-day, two-night stay at the property from 29 May to 31 May. We chose not to make any meal reservations, which gave us the flexibility to simply relax and explore the surrounding city. [Getting There] We travelled from Fufu Hakone via a day trip to Enoshima and Kamakura. We took a direct train from Kamakura to Tokyo Station, followed by a short walk to the hotel, and arrived at around 8:00 PM. To make the transit completely effortless, our luggage was picked up and delivered directly to the hotel by LuggAgent on the same day. [Arrival and Check-In] The hotel is situated in the central business district and distinctly stands out from the surrounding buildings. The discreet entrance completely shields you from the busy streets. Upon entering, staff immediately store your shoes, as the entire tatami-matted building operates on a barefoot or socks-only policy. We were incredibly lucky to catch a traditional jap instrument performance, which is usually reserved for weekends. A designated staff member managed our check-in with welcome snack & tea and escorted us to level 15. A major highlight is the exclusive lounge on each floor, shared by only 6 suites. It functions as a private living room, fully stocked with complimentary seasonal teas, coffees, and traditional snacks. [The Suite] We stayed in the Sakura suite. Rather than trying to describe the beautiful layout in words, I will let my photos speak for themselves. The beds are low to the floor with a mid-level hardness that we found quite comfortable, and each bed comes with two soft pillows. There is also a television cleverly hidden behind a mirror, though it is worth noting that it only broadcasts Japanese channels. We kept it switched off to maintain the consistent traditional ryokan feel. The provided yukata is absolutely superb. It comes as a full set complete with an inner layer, an outer layer, socks, and a small handbag. The material is soft, stretchy, and incredibly comfortable for lounging and walking around the property. [The Top-Floor Onsen] Having a natural hot spring in central Tokyo is a rare luxury. The onsen is located on the 17th floor and features a stunning design where the roof is open to the sky. As cameras are strictly prohibited, you will have to visualise it or check the hotel website for gallery photos. I understand that the bath is a salty hot spring containing a high concentration of seawater and seaweed minerals trapped deep in the ground. Soaking in this soothing water gently embraces the skin and helps alleviate fatigue in both body and mind. The onsen is open daily from 3:00 PM to 11:30 AM. It was the absolute perfect way to warm up and recharge before we headed out for a busy day. [Areas for Improvement] Toothbrush Set: The provided toothbrush is far too small and takes ages to use. I strongly recommend bringing your own.

We booked an executive floor room this time, and we were given one on the 37th floor. Breakfast can be enjoyed either on the executive floor or at the main restaurant on the 2nd floor. The room size was excellent; it wasn't cramped for two people! We could easily open two or three 28-inch suitcases. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, and all the toiletries were L'Occitane. The shower pressure was also great~ The complimentary bottled water in the room came in aluminum bottles. The executive lounge also offered afternoon tea 🫖, and after 5 PM, it was happy hour with unlimited alcoholic beverages 🍹👍

The Tokyo Dome Hotel is huge, twice the size of other hotels in the same price range. I expected it to be old, but the carpets and decor were surprisingly new. I stayed in a single king-size room on a high floor with great views. This was the most comfortable hotel I've stayed in in Japan. The lighting was also very cozy, and it offered excellent value for money. I'll definitely stay here again!

The best value-for-money hotel suite in Tokyo. Excellent location, top-notch hotel service, and impeccable cleanliness and comfort. The value for money is outstanding. It's far more convenient and useful than typical five-star hotels! I've decided this will be my first choice for future trips to Tokyo. The hotel is located in the financial district, a 10-minute walk to the train station, and then you have access to all sorts of shopping, dining, museums, and art galleries!

Our family trip to the Hyatt Regency Tokyo was a fantastic experience overall! The location is super convenient, making it easy to get around for shopping and sightseeing. We booked a city-view king room, and the view was great. The room was clean, tidy, and well-equipped. For a Tokyo hotel, the space was quite generous, so it didn't feel cramped with the kids. The hotel lobby had a wonderful ambiance, and the staff were polite, attentive, and responsive to our needs. The cleanliness was spot on, and the bedding was comfortable, leading to a very peaceful night's sleep. The hotel facilities are excellent, and the overall atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. It's a great choice for families, perfect for both exploring and relaxing. It's definitely worth considering for a trip to Tokyo, and we'd think about staying here again next time.