Best Hotels in Tokyo

Atmospheric garden, L’Occitane toiletries, nine bars and restaurants

Chinzanso Tokyo’s hotel complex sits in the midst of a vast, history-rich garden that’s filled with winding paths, a three-tier pagoda believed to date to the 12th century, cherry blossoms in the spring, and fireflies in the early summer. The well-trained staff is extremely attuned to detail. A number of on-site restaurants provide several Japanese options, including kaiseki, soba, and sushi, while the afternoon tea at Le Jardin is another highlight.

The hotel spa includes a warm pool with a retractable roof and a natural hot spring bath, though extra charges do apply. The Chinzanso also offers moderately priced cultural activities and classes, including language lessons and an introduction to Shinto. If you stay here, be sure to book a garden-view room for the full experience.

Award-winning restaurants, spa, pillow menu

With top-tier services, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has collected accolades for years, including a pair of Tripadvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards. The hotel’s fans love its dazzling attention to detail and 12 on-site restaurants, bars, and lounges. These include The Pizza Bar on 38th, which 50 Top Pizza named the world’s 16th-best pizzeria (and best in Japan) in 2022, and the beautiful Sushi Shin by Miyakawa, with its spare interior and sparkling city views.

Rooms start on the 30th floor, and fantastic views of the Tokyo skyline and Mt. Fuji in the distance are par for the course. The surrounding neighborhood has lots of restaurants and upscale traditional shops within walking distance, and the resourceful concierge can help secure hard-to-score restaurant reservations.

Free coffee and tea service; bowls, treats, and other pet amenities; complimentary bicycle rentals

Opened in October 2020, Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo is the brand’s first hotel in Japan. Its location in Shinjuku’s entertainment district and its urban art focus give it a funkier vibe than many of its luxury competitors in more sedate parts of town. The on-site gallery often features local art, and perks like in-room yoga mats, a 24-hour gym, and free bike rentals and running maps will help guests stay active while exploring the neighborhood. The hotel is family friendly, welcoming both children with its Kimpton Kids program and furry friends, so you’re likely to see rug rats of various persuasions in the restaurants and other public spaces.

Beautiful pool, indoor bamboo garden, five restaurants and bars

The Park Hyatt Tokyo has been a stalwart of the Tokyo luxury scene since 1994 and it’s still a firm favorite. With outstanding service and gorgeous views from the lobby and guest rooms, the hotel is impressive in both public and private spaces. Its pool is a special highlight, perched in a glass atrium on the 47th floor and providing views that are especially glittering at night.

The New York Grill & Bar is a major drawing card for fans of 360-degree views, live music, and “Lost in Translation,” much of which was set here. Some guests find the decor to be slightly dated, and the excellent spa facilities, which include wet and dry saunas and whirlpools, require an extra charge.

Flexible check-in and checkout, complimentary chauffeured Mini Cooper with suite, 20-meter heated pool

The highly detailed service and friendly, flexible policies at The Peninsula Tokyo make it a top pick for luxury seekers. The so-called “Peninsula Time” offers flexible check-in and checkout as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 10 p.m., subject to availability. The location is excellent, with shops nearby, the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park within easy walking distance, and four subway lines directly below the hotel.

The sublime Strawberry Afternoon Tea at The Lobby is a sumptuous way to spend an afternoon, followed by a steak dinner at the luxury grill Peter and drinks in Peter: The Bar. Prefer plant-based and zero-proof? The Peninsula Tokyo can do that too. Guests love the accommodations’ large walk-in dressing rooms and welcome snacks. Our one quibble is that there’s no comfortable non-restaurant common space to meet up with people or relax in.

Large public bath, rooftop terrace, on-site bakery

The Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier was built in anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympics, and it butts right up against Japan National Stadium, the Games’ main venue. Every room has a balcony, and there are additional open-air spaces where guests can take in views of the stadium, the surrounding greenery, and, at a short distance, the skyscrapers of the city. Guests love the hotel’s cleanliness, friendly staff, and quality amenities relative to the price point, such as the breakfast buffet, on-site bakery, sex-segregated public bath, and contemporary art touches throughout.

12 restaurants and bars in the building, 24-hour room service, on-site nursery

The Cerulean Tower manages to be extremely close to the heart of Shibuya while still maintaining some peace and quiet. Rooms are larger than average and most have great views, and service is consistent. Guests are spoiled for choice in terms of dining and drinking, with a dozen restaurants and bars on-site and hundreds more in the surrounding blocks. The Tower is also a good choice for families, as kids are welcomed with child-specific amenity kits, and on-site babysitting is available. The pool and gym aren’t open to those under 18, however, and they incur an extra charge.

Kid-focused programs, sky-high lobby, spa

Perfectly positioned in the Roppongi area, the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo is close to high- and low-end shopping, art museums and galleries, restaurants, and lots more. The service is outstanding, anticipating guests’ needs at every turn. Rooms are impeccably cleaned, linens are always fresh, and towels and robes are reliably thick and fluffy.

The hotel’s Ritz Kids program really shines. Staff dote on children, playing with them and offering them treats and presents. A kids’ check-in welcomes young guests right from the start, kid-specific amenities such as slippers and toothbrushes are provided in the rooms, and child-focused programs offer activities that will entertain small ones.