Luxury Hotels in Tokyo

"Janu, rather than feeling like a younger, secondary brand of Aman, feels more like a modern European luxury private residence tucked away in Azabudai. There isn't a grand, ceremonial hotel entrance in the traditional sense. The entrance is either through a garage or directly connected to the shopping mall, creating a hidden sense of tranquility. The entire hotel, from the public areas and wellness center to the rooms, exhibits a very consistent design. Even the basic room types don't feel like 'downgraded' versions; the details and finish are impeccable. The amenities are also very refined and thoughtfully designed, not just a simple collection of expensive brands. The flow design is also excellent. Guests, restaurant and lounge visitors having afternoon tea, and service staff are largely kept separate. I had seen complaints on Google Maps reviews about noisy groups having 'girls' gatherings, but during my stay, the guest areas had significantly improved in this regard. The presence of the service staff is also very subtle. You rarely see them bustling through the hallways, yet the staff-to-guest ratio is incredibly generous. The internal pathways must be very well-designed, allowing them to reach all areas of the hotel quickly, ensuring consistently high service efficiency. The Mini Bar was replenished promptly, and the ice bucket was replaced during both cleaning and turn-down service. When I arrived early, the hotel calmly arranged my room in advance, without that rigid 'no room before 3 PM' feeling. The one-touch concierge in the room was also very effective, pretty much granting every request with quick response times. The overall service isn't overtly warm or effusive, but it's very reliable and never intrusive. Breakfast offered a wide selection, and there was absolutely no waiting. During my stay, I was always seated at a table directly facing Tokyo Tower, which was a fantastic experience. And most importantly, Janu Tokyo currently offers incredible value for money. For a similar price, I believe it easily surpasses the two Four Seasons hotels in Tokyo. Considering the hardware, design, service, and actual stay experience, it can absolutely contend with Bulgari for the second-best luxury hotel spot in Tokyo."

"[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."

"I brought my parents to Tokyo, and for the first two nights, we stayed at the Imperial Hotel, an older, well-established hotel. The location was excellent, but the rooms were a bit dated, with an old-school style. For the next two nights, we chose The Okura Tokyo and were very satisfied. It's located in Toranomon, and right outside the hotel, there's a small park. Next door is the US Embassy. The surrounding area is very new and quiet, perfect for a pleasant stroll in the morning and evening. Unlike Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza, which are always bustling, this location is ideal for older people. The breakfast was much better than at the Imperial Hotel. The subway station is a 10-minute walk, which is acceptable, and there are some small shops to browse on the way to the subway."

"This hotel was an absolute delightful surprise!!! A must-stay when you visit Tokyo! First off, the decor doesn't feel like your typical chain hotel at all. The minimalist style, combined with Japanese Zen elements, makes for a very comfortable stay and is perfect for photos. Every decoration feels just right. Initially, I wasn't even planning on staying here and didn't have high expectations, as I transferred from the Aman due to a flight delay. The service was truly exceptional, especially from a lovely Cantonese lady who spoke Chinese. Their Chinese-speaking service is definitely the best in all of Japan. Right off the bat, we received vouchers for dining and the spa, and upon check-in, there were two complimentary welcome drinks at the bar. With service this good, the minor inconveniences like the slightly winding hallways (because it's a converted commercial office building, so the corridors are a bit maze-like with only one pathway) or the small gym and pool are absolutely no issue. And the Tokyo Tower view here... you truly have to experience it in person to feel its awe-inspiring power! All in all, I'll definitely be staying here again!"

"I know the Andaz brand identity involves replacing the standard check-in experience with a “check-in host” experience where you are seated and an Andaz employee comes to you to check you in. However, for this specific Andaz, the concept is flawed as the check-in area is the same as the actual residents’ lounge which is awkward and unpleasant for guests using the lounge. The lounge should be a dedicated area for more exclusivity and comfort. Also, the gym is frankly abysmal. I can appreciate that space might be limited, but why not solve this with a double pulley machine that allows anyone to improvise a complete workout? The standalone lat pulldown machine inefficient as far as your setup. The Smith Machine is fine, and that paired with a double pulley machine combined with your existing benches solves a lot of problems. I couldn’t get a full workout in and had to rely on my access at the Tokyo American Club to workout. As this is very nearby, it wasn’t an issue, but I imagine someone without this access would be extremely disappointed with the existing gym setup. Lastly, I suspect it’s due to the confounding check-in/lounge dual purpose setup, but the lack of spatial separation makes the experience far less like a luxury 5-Star experience than something you might get at Hyatt Place or Hyatt House. It must be made clear the rooms are clean, the staff is excellent and they pass the hospitality check in spades. But for a property that positions itself amongst the upper tiers of luxury hotels the issues highlighted above are not just trivial, in my opinion."

"Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi | A Stay with Both Excitement and Disappointment When I chose the Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi, I was incredibly excited – in my mind, Japan represents the pinnacle of service, and the Tokyo Four Seasons should be the benchmark. However, this stay made me rethink the meaning of “top-tier.” First, the highlights: * The staff, from reception to management, were genuinely warm and enthusiastic, and their English proficiency was excellent for Japan. * The room amenities, bedding, and cleanliness were all top-notch. The welcome gift was particularly thoughtful – a Tokyo Tower jigsaw puzzle cookie with Mount Fuji in the background, a delightful surprise. * The room cleaning was very thorough and meticulous. A convenience store and subway station were right downstairs, and the area around the Imperial Palace was quiet and convenient. However, the problems were equally prominent, largely concentrated in the two core aspects: “sleep” and “dining.” Regarding “Sleep” – Noise and Room Assignment Flaws I specifically requested an Imperial Palace view room and was assigned room 3803. Although the view was partially obstructed by a helipad, it was acceptable. However, at 5:30 AM the next day, loud banging noises started coming from upstairs. After complaining, I learned it was due to weights being dropped in the gym. Even more frustrating, at exactly 9 AM, the doorbell rang – a cleaning staff member who didn't speak English wanted to enter to clean the room. I have never had my doorbell rung to rush cleaning during a stay, and the promised “seamless service” was completely gone. The duty manager was very polite, admitted the noise was not an isolated incident, and proactively offered a room change. But at 5:36 AM the next day, the loud noises woke me up again. It then dawned on me: if the hotel knew about the noise issue with this room type, why didn't they ask if I minded when I checked in? Why was it specifically assigned to a Chinese family with children? This “侥幸” (chance-taking/luck-testing) attitude was disheartening. Regarding “Dining” – Michelin Restaurant Denies Children, Hair in Room Service Food A big reason for choosing the Otemachi Four Seasons was its Michelin-starred French restaurant, saving us the hassle of going out. However, when trying to book at the front desk, we were told they don't accommodate children under 12, dashing our hopes. We then ordered room service. The delivery was quick, and the menu was well-illustrated, but I found a hair in my food – in Japan, at the Four Seasons, this was simply unacceptable. After multiple complaints, management waived the dining charges. Their attitude was polite, but the speed and solution compared to similar-level hotels domestically were not superior, and the complaint process was quite convoluted. Other details: The duvet cover and duvet easily separated, leading to an uncomfortable sleep. The TV only had one Chinese channel, and most programs were in Japanese. For transportation, the entrance was somewhat hidden, requiring concierge assistance for taxis. Summary: The Four Seasons’ service etiquette was impeccable, but the fundamental aspects of a quality hotel – “sleeping well” and “eating well” – were not met. Especially the failure to disclose the known noise problem beforehand raises questions about management’s customer care. Sincerity might be in the attitude, but it should be more profoundly reflected in processes and details. I hope my experience provides a reference for other travelers, and I look forward to genuine improvements from the hotel."