6 Best Hotels in Tokyo

I love Tokyo. I think it is one of the most interesting cities in the world. I like organized crowds where you can expect chaos. I love how it is a fast-paced, modern city that still respects its traditions.

It's also a great city with lots of great things to see and do. No matter how many times I visit (and no matter how much sushi I eat), I always leave wanting more.

As one of the biggest cities in the world, there are plenty of hotels here. Having visited the city twenty-two times over the years, I have stayed in many different places, from cheap capsule hotels to five-star luxury resorts. If you're planning a trip, these are what I think are the best hotels in Tokyo:

1. Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower

This four-star hotel is located just a few minutes' walk from Shinjuku station, offering stunning views of the Shinjuku skyline (tip: ask for a room as high as possible to take advantage of the view). A hearty breakfast has plenty of Western and Japanese options, although there is a 7/11 right at the bottom of the building for quick snacks and plenty of other restaurants just around the corner. It's a big hotel (over 300 rooms), so it doesn't feel personal, but the great location is more than that.

The spacious guest rooms (especially the Japanese ones) have a modern design, although I find them too clean. All rooms have a desk, electric kettle, safe, TV, minifridge, and even a small sofa. Bathrooms are a decent size (can be quite small in Tokyo as a rule), with a tub/shower combo with good water pressure and bidet toilets. I also appreciate that instead of providing plastic water bottles in the room, there are fresh water dispensers on each floor (a small stainless steel carafe is provided so you can take it back to your room). Overall, this is a great choice for travelers looking for a central, high-end accommodation.

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2. Cerulean Tower

This five-star high-rise hotel is located in the heart of Shibuya, one of the most popular areas of the city. The hotel is huge, with eight restaurants and bars (I'm part of the jazz club), and 24/7 room service. I like that one restaurant offers an extensive Western buffet-style breakfast, while the other offers a set Japanese breakfast menu. There's also a great spa center with massage services available as well as a nice heated indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and a fully equipped fitness center (so you can work off all that sushi).

I really like that, since the entire hotel area starts on the 19th floor, you are guaranteed the best view from your room. All spacious rooms have a simple yet modern design, with green Japanese tea sets, desk, flat screen TV, chaise lounge, fridge, safe, and minibar. Bathrooms feature premium L'Occitane bath products, large bathtubs, and luxurious bathrobes. Book a room on the top floor for extra benefits, like a welcome drink and access to the lounge (where there's always snacks, and a daily happy hour). If you want luxury in Tokyo, stay here.

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3. Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi

Mimaru is a Japanese apartment hotel chain ideal for extended stays. It's also great if you're traveling with friends or as a family, as there are apartments for up to six people. There are a lot of different places in Tokyo, but I like the one in Ueno as it is a few steps away from the biggest and best museums in the city. Every unit has a kitchen with a cooking area, sink, electric tea pot, microwave, refrigerator, and basic kitchen utensils such as pans, cutlery, and cutting boards. I like that you can also rent additional kitchen appliances depending on your needs, such as a rice cooker or a toaster. (Like a hotel, there is no restaurant or breakfast available on site.)

The apartments are designed in a traditional Japanese style with a modern feel, equipped with firm futon beds, dining area, wardrobe, safety deposit box, flat screen TV, humidifier, and air purifier. The sleek bathrooms have a separate tub/shower combo and toilet (with bidet), separate even from the sink. It is an easy and affordable option if you are traveling with friends or family.

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4. Celestine Ginza

The Celestine is another hotel located at the top of a tower, on a street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars in the upper Ginza area. A four-star property, the staff here are really friendly and do everything they can to make sure you have a good stay. I like that they offer a variety of breakfast options so you can change it up every morning by choosing from French toast, American breakfast (with choices like scrambled eggs, sausage, and fruit), or Japanese breakfast (which includes grilled fish, miso soup, rice , and changing side dishes).

The rooms here are small, but always clean and well equipped. All rooms have a desk, blackout curtains, flatscreen TV, safe, Nespresso machine, electric kettle, and minibar. Some have floor-to-ceiling windows; some have comfortable sofas. Private bathrooms come with shower/tub combos, bidets, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries (including toothbrushes and razors). They even provide pajamas, which I think is a nice extra touch. If you want to stay in Ginza, the best place in town for shopping, stay here.

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5. The Mustard Hotel

Opened in late 2021, Mustard is a three-star hotel in the heart of Shimokita, a low-key neighborhood for people who love indie bookstores, hip restaurants, boutiques, and fine dining. The Mustard Hotel lives up to the local vibe, as the entire space has a hip and minimalist design. Naturally, guest rooms have record players with a vinyl selection, and there's an on-site coffee roaster serving third-wave coffee and freshly baked bagels.

The rooms are incredibly small (tight in my opinion), with an electric kettle and the aforementioned record player on the desk. Bathrooms vary depending on the type of room you choose (some have a tub and shower, others just a shower), but they include pay-as-you-go toilets and pajamas. This is the perfect place to stay for travelers who plan to get out of their room a lot but want to stay in a cool place in an even cooler place.

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6. Marunouchi Hotel

This four-star hotel is located in Marunouchi, a central area with easy access to the rest of the city. It's close to Tokyo Station, making it really convenient if you're planning a day trip or heading elsewhere in Japan by train. This area has several great restaurants, including French, Japanese, and teppanyaki restaurants. For breakfast, you can choose to have a Western breakfast buffet or a Japanese set menu (both delicious). There is also a fitness center (something I appreciate more as I get older).

All rooms have large windows (some with a view of the historic train station) and modern Japanese design, with simple wooden ceilings and cream-colored walls. The large standard rooms have large beds, a desk and a small sitting area. All rooms have TV, safe and electric kettle with tea and coffee packets. Bath robes, slippers, and pajamas are also provided, and I love that you can borrow other things you might need, like power plugs, chargers, or yoga mats. Bathrooms are small but well equipped, with multiple toilets, bidet toilets, and a shower/tub combo. Overall, the hotel has a bit of a corporate feel (due to the location), but it's 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 to see and do. Just make sure you stay at one of the above hotels during your trip. Do that, and you'll be sure to have a good stay in this big, high-tech city.