Cover (Image: The Ritz Carlton Tokyo)

From skyscrapers to ryokans, these are the best you can get in Japan’s capital city

Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth time touching down in Tokyo, there seems to always be something new to discover. It matters not if you’re a culture-seeker, a nightlife enthusiast, a foodie, or in town on business, the bustling metropolis has something for everyone, and that goes for their hotels and ryokans as well. 

No matter what you find yourself getting up to by day, by night, you’ll want to indulge in a top tier hotel. When it comes to luxury options to choose from, the options are endless and there’s really no one size fits all when it comes to selecting your suite. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of the very best luxury hotels in Tokyo to help get you started—from design-led boutique hotels to sumptuous suites.

(Related: 5 New Hotels In Japan To Check Into On Your Next Holiday)

Best high-rise hotel

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Above (Image: Park Hyatt Tokyo)

1. Park Hyatt Tokyo

Here’s where to drop your bags for unparalleled luxury and comfort. Boasting unobstructed Mount Fuji views just above the leagues of skyscrapers below, this classic hotel is somewhat of a Shinjuku institution. Nestled into the top 14 floors of Shinjuku Park Tower, Park Hyatt Tokyo touts 177 sublime guestrooms (including 23 suites), and eight restaurants, with The New York Bar reigning supreme.

Set on the 52nd floor of the tower, the bar and restaurant prominently featured in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation include a live jazz band, unparalleled views of all of metro Tokyo and an overwhelmingly lustrous atmosphere that pointedly implies Dom Pérignon for dessert.

hyatt.com

(Related: The Grand Hyatt Singapore)

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Above (Image: The Ritz Carlton Tokyo)

2. The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

Set in the Midtown Tower in charming Minato City, this luxury property overlooks the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay, with views as far as Mount Fuji. The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo touts 247 guest rooms and suites that feature an East-meets-West design, including marble bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows.

Guests can choose from modern Japanese suites (with an updated Japanese-style futon bed or a traditional Tatami mats and Shoji door), or Western-style rooms, all of which boast uninterrupted views of the metropolis. We recommend making your way to the 53rd-floor Club Lounge, where a harpist plays in the corner; setting the mood while you sip your afternoon tea.

ritzcarlton.com

(Related: Happy Hour With... Kentaro Wada Of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo)

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Above (Image: Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo)

3. Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo

Ideal for commuters and those in town for business, Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo offers direct access to Tokyo Station, which is the terminus of the Shinkansen bullet train network and also connects to the city’s local train and subway lines. The luxury high-rise hotel occupies the top 11 floors of the 37-floor Marunouchi Trust Tower Main Building, resulting in unobstructed views of the Marunouchi business area, the Imperial Palace, and beyond.

Guests can expect warmly decorated rooms with all the tech amenities you could desire, including Bose audio systems, broadband Internet access and full-sized executive writing desks in every room and suite. Other amenities include an indoor spa with next-level city views and award-winning massage options, as well as Kisetsu therapies, which are inspired by Japan’s appreciation of the seasons.

shangri-la.com

(Related: Hotel Review: Tatler Checks Into... Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo)

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Above (Image: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo)

4. Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi

Expect floor-to-ceiling windows with city views juxtaposed against stylish, modern interiors with dark woods and metallic furnishings at this polished family-friendly property. Thanks to its intimate 57 rooms and just one restaurant, the Four Seasons Marunouchi is reminiscent of a private members club rather than just a five-star hotel.

The high-rise building is right across the street from Tokyo Station and just a quick walk from Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Tsukiji fish market. There’s also a 24-hour gym and an upscale spa for travellers who are in need of an extra dose of rest and relaxation.

fourseasons.com

(Related: Hotel Review: Tatler Checks Into... Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur)

Best Ryokans/Traditional Japanese Hotels

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Above (Image: Hoshinoya Ryokan)

5. Hoshinoya Ryokan

Kick-off your shoes, slide open your paper screen and dive into your five-star tatami futon. Tokyo’s first-ever five-star traditional ryokan inn is, like many of the city’s best hotels, housed in a portion of one of the city’s skyscrapers, however, despite its central location, the ryokan does not sacrifice tranquillity.

The serene property touts a dramatic double-height genkan entrance, aromatic Japanese wood and of course a thick indoor-outdoor hot spring bath fed from 1,500 meters below Tokyo. Note that this property is not family-friendly; children under the age of 12 are not permitted.

hoshinoresorts.com

(Related: Home Tour: A Minimalist Apartment Designed In The Style Of A Modern Ryokan)

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Above (Image: Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten)

6. Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten

A great option for those looking for a tranquil getaway without sacrificing modern amenities, at Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten guests will find a modern take on the traditional Japanese ryokan. Each room includes transparent shoji screens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, as well as an in-room minibar and an espresso machine.

For maximum enjoyment of the traditional ryokan style rooms, guests can opt to have a traditional breakfast delivered to their room—and it’s well worth it. Breakfast includes grilled seasonal fish, a homemade Japanese omelette, pickles, and a selection of seasonal sides, all served with a steaming pot of tea leaves boiled in sweetened soy.

ryumeikan-honten.jp

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Andon Ryokan)

7. Andon Ryokan

Dubbed Tokyo’s first designer hotel, families will particularly appreciate this East-meets-West take on the traditional ryokan. The modern art-themed hotel is set in an unassuming residential street in the Taitō ward, and once inside it’s as if the bustle of the city no longer exists.

The simple rooms tout traditional tatami floors, chabudai dining tables and futons, and cable TV and DVD players for entertaining little ones. Guests also have access to a striking rooftop terrace and an expansive bathhouse that takes inspiration from modern artists around the world.

andon.jp

(Related: The Tatler 10: Asia’s Top Wellness Retreats)

Best Boutique Hotels

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Above (Image: Tokyo Station Hotel)

8. Tokyo Station Hotel

Nestled into the Marunouchi business district in a grand redbrick building, this landmark hotel dates back to 1915 and is well-loved for its details, including in-room chandeliers, unobstructed views of the Imperial Palace, and light and airy guest rooms that evoke a modern-day Versailles.

The five-star boutique hotel is located right next to JR Tokyo station, which makes commuting during the day a breeze. By night, the light-flooded lobby transforms into a plush lobby bar that feels more like a speakeasy during the prohibition era than a hotel lobby bar.

thetokyostationhotel.jp

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Hotel & Residence Roppongi)

9. Hotel & Residence Roppongi

Hotel & Residence Roppongi was made for guests looking to get away from it all—at least for the night. The contemporary hotel and residence touts sleek rooms, with the option of a Western-style room or a traditional room with tatami mats and futons.

On-site amenities include a library and guest lounge, meeting rooms, and five on-site restaurants that range from a casual sushi bar to the more formal Kappor Nishiazabu, which specializes in premium grade A5 beef and seasonal seafood.

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(Related: Temples, Ryokans And Tombstones: A Slow Travel Guide To Kyoto, Japan)

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Courtesy of Trunk Hotel)

10. Trunk Hotel

Looking for low key without sacrificing luxury? Look no further than Trunk Hotel. Here, guests are greeted with modern rooms that feature floor to ceiling windows, artwork by both local and international artists, and designer upcycled furnishings.

Trunk Hotel prides itself on injecting aspects of socializing into every nook and cranny of the property, and because of this guiding ethos, most suites offer turntables and records, stocked wine cellars, and cozy sunrooms, making it easy to play host for the night.

trunk-hotel.com

Best Food-Focused Hotels

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Photo 1 of 2 (Image: Grand Hyatt Tokyo)
Photo 2 of 2 (Image: Grand Hyatt Tokyo)

11. Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Wagyu lovers, listen up! The best teppanyaki you’ve ever had may actually be inside the Grand Hyatt Tokyo at Keyakizaka—the restaurant works with a farm where they grow a special breed of cow with their own feed that you can’t find anywhere else. The property also boasts an impressive nine other restaurants and bars, including a rooftop sushi bar and an intimate kaiseki restaurant with private Ryotei-style dining rooms.

hyatt.com

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Photo 1 of 2 (Image: The Peninsula Tokyo)
Photo 2 of 2 (Image: The Peninsula Tokyo)

12. The Peninsula Tokyo

Unusual for Tokyo, The Peninsula is a 24-storey standalone hotel with 314 spacious bedrooms, two ballrooms, a wedding chapel, and an impressive five on-site restaurants. Luxurious amenities aside (and there are a lot of them—including the hotel’s Rolls Royce airport shuttles), The Peninsula was made for wining and dining all weekend long.

Here guests can indulge in everything from sophisticated Cantonese fare with sweeping views of the Imperial Palace Gardens to seasonal dishes like Kagoshima pork Kurobuta and grilled Hokkaido scallops at the five-star steak and grill restaurant, all without having to leave the property.

peninsula.com

Best Airport Hotels

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Above (Image: Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda)

13. Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda

Airport hotels, for the most part, are function-first; a simple room to get you through the night between flights. However, Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda takes the usual airport hotel formula and redefines it. 

The property has all the amenities you’d hope for from a luxury property—GROHE’s rain shower, designer shower essentials, and welcome drinks to help forget the bustle of travel. What’s more, it’s directly connected to the departure lobby of Haneda Airport International Terminal for added convenience when your flight time rolls around.

royalpark.jp

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport)

14. Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport

Likewise, Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport is a refined option for spending the night between flights. Set just 5km from Narita International Airport, the property touts sweeping views of the countryside, relaxed rooms that inspire relaxation, and a 25-meter indoor pool, 24-hour gym and elegant indoor bathhouse.

hilton.com

(Related: How I Travel: Paul Hutton of Hilton)

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