9 Best Hotels in Tokyo, Japan

Mixing modern design with Japanese aesthetics, the Aman Tokyo is more than a hotel; it is an experience in the center of the city. The 84 large rooms and suites, each with a unique floor plan, combine washi paper, stone, and wood with the latest technology to create a truly Zenlike feeling. Views are spectacular, with some rooms overlooking the Imperial Palace or out to Mt. Fuji. The soaking tubs are exquisite, as are the beds. Be sure to check out the sunlight streaming through the expansive lobby at least once. As with other Aman properties, the excellence comes at a steep price: the rooms here are some of the most expensive in the city.

A departure from the typical grand scale of most Four Seasons properties, the Marunouchi branch, set within the glistening Pacific Century Place, has the feel of a boutique hotel. The muted beige-and-bronze reception area—where a very friendly greeting awaits all guests—resembles a comfortable private club, with deep-pile carpets, plush brocade sofas, and sumptuous armchairs. Chic black-lacquered doors lead to spacious guest rooms, where oversize brown-leather headboards dominate the entire bedroom wall and part of the ceiling. Design really matters here—but so does high-tech luxury, like the 3-D Blu-ray TV and surround-sound system. The concierge is possibly the best in the city: don't be surprised if you are accompanied to the train station upon departure.

The latest Four Seasons Tokyo hotel was only unveiled at the end of 2020, but is already delighting guests with its unmatched hospitality and sweeping views of Tokyo landmarks and Mount Fuji. The serene, bright welcoming lounge on the 39th floor gives you the first peek at what you can expect. Every space is thoughtfully designed, and the rooms are no exception, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible views and luxurious amenities. You don’t need to leave for dinner. Just reserve a seat at Pigneto, open-kitchen Italian, or Michelin-starred restaurant Est. Finish the night with Virtù, a bar serving fairytale-inspired cocktails. 

Though not as fashionable or as spanking-new as its neighbor the Peninsula, the venerable Imperial can't be beat for traditional elegance. The Imperial opened its doors in 1890, and from the outset the hotel has been justly proud of its Western-style facilities and personalized Japanese service. Located in the heart of central Tokyo, between the Imperial Palace and Ginza, the hotel has its finest rooms on the 30th floor of the tower, providing views of the palace grounds. In general, rooms—complete with walk-in closets—range from standard singles (344 square feet) to suites that are larger than many homes. Since some Tower rooms are just above the JR train lines, a room closer to Hibiya Park might be a little more pleasing. Dining options are varied and superb, including the award-winning Les Saisons, which is one of Tokyo's finest French restaurants. The Old Imperial Bar incorporates elements from the 1923 version of the hotel, which Frank Lloyd Wright designed. Don't miss the terra-cotta and brick behind the counter, a tribute to Wright's design.

Convenience is one reason to choose the Marunouchi Hotel, occupying the upper 11 floors of the Marunouchi Oazo Building and joining Tokyo Station via an underground walkway. Nice, too, are the views of the downstairs garden and city lights from the guest rooms, which illuminate the interior's quiet neutral hues and high ceilings. The single and standard twin rooms are small but tastefully outfitted with the necessities of a business traveler. Among the dining selections are Daian Club, featuring wagyu beef, and the French restaurant pomme d'Adam, which specializes in dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. If you need other options, a multitude of restaurants await at the nearby Shin-Marunouchi Building.

This hotel has a handsome, refined look that sets the stage for a luxury experience. The lobby—a long expanse of white marble lit with oversize drum chandeliers and sunlight pouring in from floor-to-ceiling glass windows—gives the impression of a tony living room taken to palatial proportions. Spacious guest rooms are tastefully appointed in neutral tones with accents of chartreuse, and some of the Deluxe Rooms include balconies that open up to views of the Marunouchi skyline and nearby greenery. The Club Lounge, on the 19th floor, serves breakfast and evening cocktails for guests in Club floors. The Grand Kitchen serves an array of cuisines with a subtle Japanese touch. Revelers should explore the Royal Bar, which is stocked with a large selection of whiskey brands and cigars. A 24-hour gym, Japan's first Evian Spa, and pool are on the premises, and Tokyo's most popular jogging course—around the palace—is just outside the hotel's doors. The hotel also has bicycles for rent.

Boasting high-end luxury, lavish interiors, and superb views of Tokyo Bay and the cityscape from the top 11 floors of Marunouchi Trust Tower Main, Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo's 37-floor building is conveniently located near Tokyo Station. Hanging throughout the hotel are 2,000 art pieces and 50 glistening, handmade chandeliers culled from the Czech Republic, one of which is dramatically suspended above a staircase that joins three floors. The Chi spa administers treatments using traditional healing methods from China. Standard rooms, awash in burgundy-and-brown textiles, are large (more than 500 square feet) and boast high-end entertainment systems. Horizon Club rooms on the upper floors feature a dedicated concierge and views of the bay and Imperial Palace. Suites include additional living and guest rooms. For dining, the Japanese restaurant Nadaman serves teppanyaki and sushi, while Piacere has creative Italian dishes.

From the staff in caps and sharp suits, often assisting guests from a Rolls-Royce shuttling to and from Narita, to the shimmering gold glow emitting from the top floors, the 24-floor Peninsula Tokyo exudes elegance and grace. The rooms include all sorts of glamorous touches like red-lacquered elm desks, mobile phones for use during your visit, flat-screen TVs in the bathroom, and separate soaking tubs. Bedside panels with remote controls allow you to tweak the room's ambience from the comfort of your bed. Tall windows afford pleasant views of the downtown financial district. Another amazing view can be found from the top-floor lounge, Peter, which serves European cuisine. The hotel's other dining options include Hei Fung Terrace (Cantonese), as well as sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki restaurants.

Convenience and nostalgia come together at this hotel, located inside the busy Tokyo train station, a grand building that recently refurbished its redbrick exterior. The hotel dates back to 1915, a year after the station opened; like the station, it's received a substantial renovation. But the modern incarnation doesn't stray from its spirit, one that's inspired novelists and wowed travelers for almost a century. The lavishly decorated rooms—which include patterned carpets, chandeliers, and tufted chairs—tend to be on the small side, but the bathrooms are more than generous. Be sure to reserve a room facing the Imperial Palace as some point toward the interior of the station. And don't miss snapping a photo of the exterior of the station all lit up at night.