Tokyo Hotels with Pools

I come to Tokyo several times a year, staying a fortnight or more each time. This time I spent seven nights at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. The room faced Hie Shrine. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows I could see the shrine's copper roof and half of Tokyo's skyline. The décor was modern without excess; the layout flowed easily, Bose speakers hidden in the walls, another set in the bathroom ceiling, connected by a 3.5mm jack. The curtains were motorized, though you hardly needed to close them. The turndown service. I would leave in the evening and return late to find the room changed: only the hallway light and bedside lamp left on, a bottle of water and a glass on the nightstand, two chocolates beside them. The evening tea and teacup, previously stored in the cabinet, had been moved next to the coffee machine. These changes were so slight you had to think back carefully to confirm they had happened at all. The temperature and humidity had been adjusted. As if the room itself remembered your habits. Room service fell short of the ryokan in Hakone or Lake Toya, but well above the ordinary hotel. Each day I made two or three cups of complimentary coffee, played music, read, wrote. In seven days I finished three books. The research ahead began to take shape. There were drawbacks. No washing machine, but a decent laundromat ten minutes' walk away—a chance to wander the streets of Akasaka. The room provided HDMI and ethernet ports but no cables; for those who came to rest, perhaps a mercy. The minibar fridge was mostly occupied by drinks for purchase, same as the Imperial, though there was still room for my sparkling water. The day I left it was half past five and fully dark. I could barely make out the faces of the bellhop and the taxi driver. Together they loaded my luggage into the boot. I wished the bellhop a happy new year in Japanese and told her I liked her hat. She smiled and returned the greeting. As the taxi pulled out of the underground drive, I thought of the inns Kawabata once wrote about: what had to be sought in the mountains of snow country can now be reached by elevator from the B2 exit of a metro station. I have watched the Shinagawa Prince Hotel loosen quietly over time, slip a little. That kind of decline is rarely one great error. It begins the day someone forgets to leave a glass of water, neglects to move a packet of tea, omits a newspaper. As for The Capitol Hotel Tokyu: in Japanese, what I experienced over these seven days is called ちょうどいい.

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.

The Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba is clean, comfortable, and offers exceptional value. Firstly, the spacious 33-square-meter Grand Floor Superior Twin room felt quite luxurious for Japan. From the bedding to the room layout, everything was exquisite. Toiletries, mineral water, coffee, and tea bags were all provided. The lighting was bright, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered stunning views of Tokyo Bay. Secondly, the breakfast was abundant. The first and second floors offer buffet-style options (American and Japanese cuisine), while the 30th floor serves a sushi set meal. You can choose any of them; the dining areas are spacious, and the food is delicious and high-quality. Thirdly, Odaiba itself is worth exploring. Odaiba Marine Park and Fuji TV are within walking distance. A promenade directly connects the hotel to two large shopping malls, making shopping and dining very convenient. Fourthly, Odaiba Station is just a two-minute walk from the hotel. It's only about a 30-minute subway ride to Ginza. You can transfer to various subway lines at Shimbashi. Haneda Airport is particularly convenient, just 10 kilometers away. Fifthly, the service was meticulous and thoughtful. The front desk staff were warm and enthusiastic, and our luggage was delivered to our room. They even provided an electronic luggage scale. One minor drawback is that the hotel's pool is outdoors and can only be enjoyed in the height of summer. Also, there aren't any unique Japanese convenience stores nearby. The only regret is that as a JAL Hotels member, I didn't seem to receive any special benefits.

[”1. **Unbeatable Location for Airport Travel**\nThe hotel offers direct limousine bus service to both Narita and Haneda Airports right from its doorstep, making airport transfers incredibly convenient – no need to lug heavy suitcases around. It's just a 3-minute walk to Tochomae subway station, with Shinjuku-Nishiguchi (West Exit) only 5-8 minutes away. Takashimaya, Odakyu Department Store, and Don Quijote are all within walking distance, making it super easy to shop for Sylvanian Families, Chanel, and cosmetics. Plus, there's a FamilyMart convenience store on the second floor, perfect for late-night essentials.”,”2. **Spacious Rooms, Especially for Tokyo**\nCompared to most compact Tokyo hotels, the rooms here are remarkably spacious, allowing you to easily open up a 28-inch suitcase. The newly renovated rooms come with multiple USB charging ports and modern amenities. High-floor rooms offer stunning views, perfect for overlooking Shinjuku's city nightscape in the evening. Soundproofing is excellent, completely blocking out street noise. The toiletries are high-quality, and the bathroom features a dry/wet separation design with ample supplies.”,”3. **Attentive Service and Comprehensive Facilities**\nThe front desk accepts Alipay, UnionPay, and WeChat Pay, making it very friendly for Chinese tourists. The 24-hour front desk offers free storage for large luggage, so you can shop for luxury goods without worry. The buffet breakfast offers a rich variety, including Japanese set meals, Western pastries, and fresh fruit. Executive floor guests also have access to an exclusive lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks all day. Shinjuku Central Park is right next to the hotel, perfect for a relaxing morning stroll.”]

If 100 is a perfect score, this hotel has its pros and cons. The convenient location and room size both deserve a 90. The shower water pressure and the service from most of the staff are at least an 80. However, you can clearly hear the subway from the room, and even with the small window handle adjusted up or down, the noise persists. During my two-night stay, one night I couldn't fall asleep until the subway stopped running in the middle of the night. The next morning, I was woken up by the noise around 7 AM. I groggily recorded a video, but my phone's microphone near the bed didn't capture it well. The actual sound is about one to two times louder than what's in the video. The room also didn't provide earplugs, which is quite unbearable – I'm deducting 70 points for this. There were noticeable marks on the room walls and the bathroom floor, so I'm taking off another 50 points. The carpet is old and somewhat damaged, and the room looks dingy. For a room that costs over 1500 per night, this warrants another 60-point deduction. So, this is a hotel with overly distinct pros and cons.

This hotel is located in the heart of Tokyo, offering excellent transport links. You can access Otemachi Station, Tokyo Station, and even Ginza and Nihonbashi directly from the underground passages. The surrounding area is primarily office buildings, making it a relatively quiet neighborhood. The room facilities are all new, and the small kitchenette is very convenient for preparing simple meals. While the hotel's exterior isn't particularly eye-catching, and many reviewers mention it's hard to find, if you use the underground passage, just follow the signs to exit C6a, turn right upon reaching ground level, and it's about 30-40 meters away. The basement level has many restaurants, mostly serving casual meals. If you're looking for something like yakiniku or sukiyaki, you'll need to walk for over ten minutes. However, if you plan ahead and use the underground passages, you can cut your travel time by about half.

The hotel is conveniently located on a small hill, not far from Shinagawa and Takanawa stations. It's surrounded by three hotels and a beautiful, quiet courtyard, which I really enjoyed. The facilities are new and well-maintained, and the service is very attentive. Having a 7-Eleven inside the hotel is super convenient. There are also several great restaurants just outside.

The room is spacious and good location. Takes 7-8 mins walk to Toyoko Station. There’s supermarket and some restaurants linked to the hotel so it’s quite convenient. Hotel staff are friendly and helpful. Free shuttle bus to Disneyland. The most important is direct bus from hotel lobby to narita airport, hassle free from carrying luggage to subway station.

Overall, I'd give it 4 stars, mainly for the location and the night view, though the hotel's facilities are a bit dated. 🚃 Transportation (very convenient) Take the Yurikamome Line to Daiba Station, and it's a 3-5 minute walk to the hotel. You even get sea views along the way. Downstairs, there's an Airport Limousine bus that goes directly to Haneda and Narita airports, which is super convenient when you're traveling with luggage. 📍 Location & Surroundings This deserves high praise – it's right in the heart of Odaiba. You can walk to Fuji TV, Joypolis (Sega Amusements), and the Gundam statue at DiverCity. Aqua City is right downstairs, so dining and shopping are a breeze. It’s perfect for families with kids or young travelers. 🌉 Night View (highly recommended) I booked a room on the Rainbow Bridge side, and the night view of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay was truly amazing. Just sitting by the window and zoning out made it worth every penny. 🍳 Breakfast (average) The buffet offers a mix of Japanese and Western options, but nothing particularly memorable. The taste was just okay, and I felt it wasn't great value for money. 🏨 Facilities & Room (gripes) The decor is a bit old-fashioned. My biggest complaint is the hairdryer in the room – it's so old and weak; drying long hair was a real struggle. I hope the hotel replaces it soon. Other facilities were acceptable.

This organic architecture, completed by Togo Murano at the age of 91, still exudes enduring vitality, especially when compared to Kenzo Tange's conceptual designs. Bathed in sunlight, it possesses a surreal, otherworldly quality. Design Studio SPIN collaborated with local artisans to redesign the lobby, executive lounge, and an executive suite. The actual spatial experience is incredibly refined; the executive lounge features four distinct sections, each with clear functions and varied, opulent decor – a masterclass from a top design studio, truly a step above. Compared to the 'pigeonhole' rooms in Minato Ward, the guest rooms here feel more like Western hotels, and all come with balconies. If you can overlook the lack of a separate shower, the weekday value for money is impeccable. However, Seibu Group's service is far from ideal, especially at the front desk. The 3 PM check-in policy clogs up the reception during peak hours, and the self-service kiosks are useless. When checking out, I wanted to keep the room key card as a souvenir, but the staff looked annoyed and confused. Good or bad, with the Shinagawa redevelopment, this heritage-level hotel is slated for closure and demolition this year. After decades of existence, this 'architecture of the future' is reaching its end.