The Princess Garden Hotel in Tokyo’s residential Meguro District scores points for being quiet, tidy, and easily walkable to transport options, as well as for its charming outdoor garden area. However, guests expecting the full range of features of a mid-range hotel may be disappointed by what is—or isn’t—offered here. Most of the 205 rooms are tiny and dated-looking, with no Wi-Fi. Aside from a lovely Japanese restaurant with a lunch buffet, other amenities—namely, a pool, gym, and business center—are missing, and there are daily fees for parking and breakfast. Guests who want these extras, or closer proximity to Tokyo’s pulsing center, may prefer the Shinjuku district’s Keio Plaza Hotel, though rates will be higher.
The Princess Garden Hotel in Tokyo’s residential Meguro District scores points for being quiet, tidy, and easily walkable to transport options, as well as for its charming outdoor garden area. However, guests expecting the full range of features of a mid-range hotel may be disappointed by what is—or isn’t—offered here. Most of the 205 rooms are tiny and dated-looking, with no Wi-Fi. Aside from a lovely Japanese restaurant with a lunch buffet, other amenities—namely, a pool, gym, and business center—are missing, and there are daily fees for parking and breakfast. Guests who want these extras, or closer proximity to Tokyo’s pulsing center, may prefer the Shinjuku district’s Keio Plaza Hotel, though rates will be higher.
The 240-room, mid-range Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma (Karasuma) takes its cues from minimalist Japanese design, and delivers clean, modern style. Centrally located along a bustling main road and commercial area in Kyoto, the hotel is within a five-minute walk of two train stations, and a plethora of shops and restaurants. Rooms are simple, modern, and functional but, like most rooms in Kyoto, small. They include free high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are more luxurious, with deep square sinks, tubs, and showers. An on-site Japanese restaurant serves a breakfast buffet of Japanese and Western fare for an extra charge. While the Daiwa Roynet is well-priced for the area, guests seeking a hotel with more on-site features should check out the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo, which has Japanese-style baths,
The 240-room, mid-range Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma (Karasuma) takes its cues from minimalist Japanese design, and delivers clean, modern style. Centrally located along a bustling main road and commercial area in Kyoto, the hotel is within a five-minute walk of two train stations, and a plethora of shops and restaurants. Rooms are simple, modern, and functional but, like most rooms in Kyoto, small. They include free high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are more luxurious, with deep square sinks, tubs, and showers. An on-site Japanese restaurant serves a breakfast buffet of Japanese and Western fare for an extra charge. While the Daiwa Roynet is well-priced for the area, guests seeking a hotel with more on-site features should check out the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo, which has Japanese-style baths,
The mid-range Dogo Prince Hotel offers guests a traditional onsen stay, with highly regarded bath house facilities, 123 traditional tatami-mat and Western-style rooms, and fresh, seasonal Japanese dining. The onsen takes center stage, with a variety of baths (some private) that are both indoors and outdoors. Hospitality is important at this hotel: guests are welcomed with a drink, snacks are freely available, and the proprietor’s programming includes events that highlight aspects of traditional Japanese culture. The design is traditional and minimalist, but some furnishings are slightly dated. Guests looking for something a little more luxurious but around the same price should check out the Dogo Onsen Yamatoya Honten in town.
The mid-range Dogo Prince Hotel offers guests a traditional onsen stay, with highly regarded bath house facilities, 123 traditional tatami-mat and Western-style rooms, and fresh, seasonal Japanese dining. The onsen takes center stage, with a variety of baths (some private) that are both indoors and outdoors. Hospitality is important at this hotel: guests are welcomed with a drink, snacks are freely available, and the proprietor’s programming includes events that highlight aspects of traditional Japanese culture. The design is traditional and minimalist, but some furnishings are slightly dated. Guests looking for something a little more luxurious but around the same price should check out the Dogo Onsen Yamatoya Honten in town.
Taito Ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style inn located in a residential Tokyo neighborhood, close to a subway and within walking distance of the Senso-ji temple. This charming budget property has nine simple guest rooms with tatami mats covering the floors and folding futon beds. The bathroom facilities are shared, and there are no in-room amenities besides air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. There's a small common room with a TV and free tea or coffee, but breakfast service is not offered here. Rates are cheap -- but the property is in need of refurbishment. Similar rates are on offer at K's House Tokyo Oasis, another traditional-style inn with impeccably maintained guest rooms that have en-suite bathrooms and televisions.
Taito Ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style inn located in a residential Tokyo neighborhood, close to a subway and within walking distance of the Senso-ji temple. This charming budget property has nine simple guest rooms with tatami mats covering the floors and folding futon beds. The bathroom facilities are shared, and there are no in-room amenities besides air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. There's a small common room with a TV and free tea or coffee, but breakfast service is not offered here. Rates are cheap -- but the property is in need of refurbishment. Similar rates are on offer at K's House Tokyo Oasis, another traditional-style inn with impeccably maintained guest rooms that have en-suite bathrooms and televisions.
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo is a huge upper-middle-range hotel with 807 guest rooms, located in the busy Toshima district. It's located a short walk to a major public transportation hub, offering easy access to the rest of the city. The four room categories range from small, somewhat drab standard rooms to tastefully decorated suites. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and mini-fridges. Many rooms offer scenic city views, some of which stretch to Mount Fuji. The hotel offers a host of features, including nine restaurants, a panoramic bar, a beauty salon, and a spa with a pool and a fitness center, for an extra fee. For similar rates, the Shinjuku Granbell Hotel in vibrant Shinjuku offers designer rooms with luxury bathrooms, and amenities like iPod docks and espresso machines.
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo is a huge upper-middle-range hotel with 807 guest rooms, located in the busy Toshima district. It's located a short walk to a major public transportation hub, offering easy access to the rest of the city. The four room categories range from small, somewhat drab standard rooms to tastefully decorated suites. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and mini-fridges. Many rooms offer scenic city views, some of which stretch to Mount Fuji. The hotel offers a host of features, including nine restaurants, a panoramic bar, a beauty salon, and a spa with a pool and a fitness center, for an extra fee. For similar rates, the Shinjuku Granbell Hotel in vibrant Shinjuku offers designer rooms with luxury bathrooms, and amenities like iPod docks and espresso machines.
APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoemmae is a simple, mid-range property with a convenient location a 10-minute walk east of Shinjuku Station. The 411 rooms are clean and contemporary, but tiny -- with generic black-and-white decor and little floor space -- though they do at least come with large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. The on-site onsen (Japanese bath house) is a popular feature, complete with indoor and outdoor tubs as well as vanity stations with hairdryers. The hotel's only restaurant, Takumi, is open for all three meals and offers a solid buffet breakfast with Western and Japanese options for a fee. Other facilities include coin-operated washer/dryers, vending machines, and a courtyard that's often used by smokers, with smells that can drift into even the non-smoking rooms. There are plenty of similarly priced options in the area, such as the E Hotel Higashi Shinjuku, so it's worth shopping around.
APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoemmae is a simple, mid-range property with a convenient location a 10-minute walk east of Shinjuku Station. The 411 rooms are clean and contemporary, but tiny -- with generic black-and-white decor and little floor space -- though they do at least come with large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. The on-site onsen (Japanese bath house) is a popular feature, complete with indoor and outdoor tubs as well as vanity stations with hairdryers. The hotel's only restaurant, Takumi, is open for all three meals and offers a solid buffet breakfast with Western and Japanese options for a fee. Other facilities include coin-operated washer/dryers, vending machines, and a courtyard that's often used by smokers, with smells that can drift into even the non-smoking rooms. There are plenty of similarly priced options in the area, such as the E Hotel Higashi Shinjuku, so it's worth shopping around.
A short walk from Shibuya Station, APA Hotel Shibuya Dogenzakaue is a mid-range hotel with limited amenities and 173 cramped rooms spread out over 14 floors. Though tiny, rooms are pleasantly furnished with dark, contemporary decor, and all come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and kettles. Some also have balconies. Amenities here are few, though there are free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, a washing machine and dryer, and a charming cafe -- Komeda's Coffee Shop -- with limited reasonably priced Western and Japanese breakfast options. Location is king here and it's the main draw for most guests, but those wanting additional space in their rooms may want to compare rates at nearby Hotel Mets Shibuya.
A short walk from Shibuya Station, APA Hotel Shibuya Dogenzakaue is a mid-range hotel with limited amenities and 173 cramped rooms spread out over 14 floors. Though tiny, rooms are pleasantly furnished with dark, contemporary decor, and all come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and kettles. Some also have balconies. Amenities here are few, though there are free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, a washing machine and dryer, and a charming cafe -- Komeda's Coffee Shop -- with limited reasonably priced Western and Japanese breakfast options. Location is king here and it's the main draw for most guests, but those wanting additional space in their rooms may want to compare rates at nearby Hotel Mets Shibuya.
The two-pearl Hotel Livemax Shimbashi is a solid, if somewhat humdrum, budget hotel in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato, within a short walk of Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo Tower, and several train stations. Interiors are a bit bland and the hotel lacks food service and facilities, but its 63 guest rooms come well-equipped. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free in-room Wi-Fi, and units with kitchenettes and balconies are available. Nearby Shiba Park Hotel is a little closer to Onarimon Station and it has a breakfast buffet and restaurants, but room rates run a little higher.
The two-pearl Hotel Livemax Shimbashi is a solid, if somewhat humdrum, budget hotel in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato, within a short walk of Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo Tower, and several train stations. Interiors are a bit bland and the hotel lacks food service and facilities, but its 63 guest rooms come well-equipped. All have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free in-room Wi-Fi, and units with kitchenettes and balconies are available. Nearby Shiba Park Hotel is a little closer to Onarimon Station and it has a breakfast buffet and restaurants, but room rates run a little higher.
In a city that reinvented itself as a futuristic metropolis studded with skyscrapers, The Tokyo Station Hotel stands as a rare glimpse into the city's pre-war architectural past. Today, the luxury hotel combines period ambience with modern luxury, and the convenience of a busy metro station in the heart of Tokyo. There are multiple dining options, including a stunning breakfast lounge that's reserved only for hotel guests (for an extra fee), and the hotel is surprisingly insulated from the chaos surrounding it. While many of the elegant rooms look toward the Imperial Palace, though, others have windows looking into the station itself. It may be worth checking the lower rates at the nearby Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi, but the blend of historical grandeur and convenience here might be hard to beat.
In a city that reinvented itself as a futuristic metropolis studded with skyscrapers, The Tokyo Station Hotel stands as a rare glimpse into the city's pre-war architectural past. Today, the luxury hotel combines period ambience with modern luxury, and the convenience of a busy metro station in the heart of Tokyo. There are multiple dining options, including a stunning breakfast lounge that's reserved only for hotel guests (for an extra fee), and the hotel is surprisingly insulated from the chaos surrounding it. While many of the elegant rooms look toward the Imperial Palace, though, others have windows looking into the station itself. It may be worth checking the lower rates at the nearby Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi, but the blend of historical grandeur and convenience here might be hard to beat.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Tamachi, in Minato's Shibaura District, is a good pick for travelers who want a simple place to sleep and easy access to public transportation. It’s only a five-minute walk to Tamachi Station, and there are lots of restaurants in the neighborhood. The 123 small rooms include mini-fridges, electric kettles, and flat-screen TVs, though decor is bland. Breakfast is served on the first floor and includes Chinese specialties, for a fee. Guests should compare rates with Hotel MyStays Hamamatsucho, a value, chain hotel with more attractive rooms that's a 15-minute walk of Tokyo Tower.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Tamachi, in Minato's Shibaura District, is a good pick for travelers who want a simple place to sleep and easy access to public transportation. It’s only a five-minute walk to Tamachi Station, and there are lots of restaurants in the neighborhood. The 123 small rooms include mini-fridges, electric kettles, and flat-screen TVs, though decor is bland. Breakfast is served on the first floor and includes Chinese specialties, for a fee. Guests should compare rates with Hotel MyStays Hamamatsucho, a value, chain hotel with more attractive rooms that's a 15-minute walk of Tokyo Tower.