Ultimate Guide: 10 of the best hotels in Tokyo - for all types of travellers
Our pick of the best places to stay in the Japanese capital.
Our pick of the best places to stay in the Japanese capital.
FOR FAMILIES
There are three Mimaru Apartment Hotels in Tokyo and they all welcome families with open arms. Parents will love the spacious 38-square-metre apartments featuring separate kitchens and dining areas. But if you want to turn up the fun factor, book one of the Pokemon rooms, which are decorated wall-to-wall with all sorts of paraphernalia inspired by the video game series - from wallpapers to bedspreads. mimaruhotels.com
FOR ROMANCE
What could be more romantic than a hotel with the word "palace" in its name? Enter Palace Hotel Tokyo, where if the sweeping city views from the guestrooms don't take our breath away, the gastronomic experiences at its eateries - from French restaurant Estelle to Japanese haunt Wadakura - surely will. Oh, and did we mention there's a heavenly spa, too? palacehoteltokyo.com
FOR LUXURY
There are only "suites" and "signature suites" at the ethereal Aman, making it the ultimate splash-out option in the Japanese capital. It's perched high on the city's Otemachi Tower, and we all know what that means: sprawling lairs with expansive windows and views from everywhere - including your bathtub. aman.com
FOR FOODIES
You can find insanely good fare anywhere in Japan, but for the ultimate foodie pilgrimage check into Auberge Tokito, which is first and foremost a restaurant with a modern high-end take on traditional Japanese fare, but also offers exquisite guestrooms by local architect, Shinichiro Ogata. Plus, there's a dedicated tea room, too, where you can experience timeless Japanese traditions. aubergetokito.com
FOR CULTURE VULTURES
Want to explore the cultural side of Tokyo? Start at BnA Hotel in the historic district of Koenji, where bright coloured murals dominate the guest rooms and vivid artworks vie for attention at the onsite bar. Then start exploring the neighbourhood, dotted with old temples, old-fashioned book stores and traditional zakka outlets that sell all sorts of colourful goods - from plastic tableware to eye-catching hair pieces. bna-koenji.com
FOR SAKE LOVERS
The alcoholic beverage, also known as Japanese rice wine, has some serious fans all over the world. And if you're one of them, make yourself at home at the Sake Bar Hotel, where - at the reception - you'll be handed the two most essentials things for your stay: the room key and a square wooden cup, so you can sip sake to your heart's content at the onsite bar or at the automatic server on the top floor. sake-barhotel.com
FOR DESIGN AFICIONADOS
Ian Schrager's Edition hotels hit the right design notes no matter where in the world you are - New York, London or Singapore. But with clean lines, a pared-back palette of neutrals and bold furniture pieces, the brand-new Edition in Tokyo's Ginza is particularly impressive. Soak up the grandeur at the Punch Room cocktail bar, where the interiors are inspired by the private clubs of 19th-century London. editionhotels.com
FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS
When travelling for work with set schedules, it's safe to stick to a tried-and-tested hospitality stalwart such as Hyatt. And Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya ticks all the boxes: rooms with fully kitted out kitchens, washer-dryers, work desks and separate sitting areas; and facilities such as an indoor pool, a 24/7 fitness studio and meetings and events spaces. hyatt.com
FOR ARCHITECTURE BUFFS
Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright will be in heaven at the historically significant Imperial Hotel, which was first built in 1890, then rebuilt again in 1923 after a fire destroyed the original structure. The famous American architect was behind the "new" hotel's design. Soak up the grandeur in the high-ceilinged lobby with imposing columns and a grand central staircase, or - if money is no object - book the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite, replete with natural wood furnishings and plush couches. imperialhotel.co.jp
FOR BOUTIQUE TRAVELLERS
Located in the heart of Tokyo, just a few minutes' walk from Senso-ji temple, Asakusa Kokono Club hotel is not only home to 30 guestrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, but also an onsite theatre, which makes this establishment utterly quirky. asakusakokonoclub.com
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Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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