Luxury Hotels 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."

"An absolutely wonderful hotel! It made my Tokyo trip a warm and thoughtful experience! Facilities: The public areas are truly beautiful, showcasing the neat and understated elegance of Japanese aesthetics. The room facilities are spacious and new, and the amenities provided in the room are very thoughtful. Besides the basic toiletries, there are also THREE skincare products and mouthwash. (P.S. The tube toothpaste wasn't great, but the cushion brush was really good). Service: The service was exceptionally meticulous. If I left my cosmetics on the table, they would organize everything neatly. The matcha chocolate delivered every evening was from Pierre Hermé in France and tasted delicious. The minibar was replenished daily for free, and if I bought things and needed to leave quickly, I could hand them to the concierge to have them sent to my room – incredibly thoughtful. My only minor complaint is that the regular breakfast was quite bad... The variety was limited, and breakfast ended quite early. Although there were three restaurants for breakfast, none of them were particularly good. However, the French toast I pre-ordered was excellent (it was the only good thing). If you don't use all your spending credit, you can visit the shops nearby to buy some small pastries as souvenirs to take home. Cleanliness: The cleaning was extremely thorough and the room was spotless. Environment: It's a very beautiful location, very safe being next to the American Embassy. Taxis are also readily available. It's also very close to Tokyo Tower."

"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."