Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
I love Tokyo. I think it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I love the organized crowds where you would expect chaos. I love how it is a fast-paced, contemporary city that still honors its traditions.
It’s also a massive city with an endless array of incredible things to see and do. No matter how many times I visit (and no matter how much sushi I eat), I always leave wanting more.
As one of the biggest cities in the world, there are a ton of hotels here. Having visited the city half a dozen times over the years, I’ve stayed at a lot of different places, from cheap capsule hotels to luxurious five-star properties. If you’re planning a trip, these are what I think are the best hotels in Tokyo:
1. Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
Located just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station, this four-star hotel offers fantastic views of the Shinjuku skyline (tip: request as high a room as possible to take advantage of the view). The hearty breakfast buffet has lots of Western and Japanese options, though there’s a 7/11 right at the base of the building for quick snacks and plenty of other eateries just steps away. It’s a massive hotel (there are over 300 rooms), so it doesn’t feel very personal, but the excellent location more than makes up for that.
The spacious (especially for Japan) guest rooms have a contemporary design, though I find them a bit too beige. All rooms have a desk, electric kettle, safe, a TV, minifridge, and even a small couch. The bathrooms are a decent size (they can be quite small in Tokyo as a rule), with a bathtub/shower combo with good water pressure and toilets with a bidet. I also appreciate that instead of providing plastic water bottles in the room, there are purified water dispensers on each floor (a little stainless-steel carafe is provided so you can bring it back to your room). Overall, this is a great choice for travelers who want a central, more upscale stay.
2. Cerulean Tower
This five-star hotel set in a high-rise building is right in the center of Shibuya, one of the most popular areas of the city. The hotel is huge, with eight different restaurants and bars (I’m partial to the jazz club), and 24/7 room service. I love that one restaurant serves an expansive Western buffet-style breakfast, while another serves a set Japanese breakfast menu. There’s also a nice spa center on-site with massage services available as well as a beautiful indoor heated pool, sauna, hot tub, and fully equipped fitness center (so you can work off all that sushi).
I especially love that, since the entire hotel complex starts on the 19th floor, you’re guaranteed a great view from your room. All of the spacious rooms have a simple yet modern design, with Japanese green tea sets, a desk, flatscreen TV, chaise lounge, fridge, safe, and minibar. The bathrooms feature luxe L’Occitane bath products, big bathtubs, and plush bathrobes. Book a room on the executive floor for even more perks, like a welcome drink and lounge access (where there are always snacks available, as well as a daily happy hour). If you want luxury in Tokyo, stay here.
3. Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi
Mimaru is a Japanese apartment hotel chain that is perfect for long stays. It’s also great if you’re traveling with friends or as a family, as there are apartments that fit up to six people. There are bunch of different locations in Tokyo, but I like the one in Ueno as you’re mere steps from the biggest and best museums in the city. Every unit has a kitchen with a cooktop, sink, electric tea pot, microwave, a fridge, and basic kitchen items like pans, cutlery, and cutting boards. I like that you can also rent additional kitchen appliances depending on your needs, such as a rice cooker or toaster. (As an apartment-hotel, there’s no restaurant or breakfast available on-site.)
The apartments are designed in a traditional Japanese style with a contemporary feel, with firm futon beds, a dining area, a closet, a safety deposit box, a flatscreen TV, a humidifier, and an air purifier. The sleek bathrooms have a tub/shower combo that is in a separate room from the toilet (which has a bidet), which is even separate from the sink. It’s a convenient and affordable choice if you’re traveling with friends or family.
4. The Celestine Ginza
The Celestine is another hotel located up in a tower, on a street flanked by shops, restaurants, and bars in the upscale Ginza neighborhood. A four-star property, the staff here are really friendly and go out of their way to ensure you have a great stay. I like that they offer a variety of breakfast options so you can change it up each morning by choosing from French toast, an American breakfast (with choices like scrambled eggs, sausage, and fruit), or a Japanese breakfast (featuring grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and changing side dishes).
The rooms here are a bit small, but always kept very clean and have a lot of amenities. All rooms have a desk, blackout curtains, flatscreen TV, safe, Nespresso machine, electric kettle, and minibar. Some have floor-to-ceiling windows; others have comfortable sofas. The spacious bathrooms come with a shower/tub combo, a bidet, bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries (including a toothbrush and razor). They even provide pajamas, which I think is a nice extra touch. If you want to stay in Ginza, the best area in the city for shopping, stay here.
5. The Mustard Hotel
Opened in late 2021, the Mustard is a three-star boutique hotel in the center of Shimokita, a low key area for people who love indie bookshops, hip cafés, thrift stores, and cutting-edge restaurants. Mustard Hotel keeps within the vibe of the neighborhood, as the entire place has a hip and minimalist design. Naturally, the guest rooms have record players with a selection of vinyl, and there’s an on-site coffee roastery serving up third-wave coffee and freshly baked bagels.
The rooms are incredibly minimal (a bit too stark in my opinion), with just an electric kettle and the aforementioned record player on a desk. The bathrooms vary depending on what room type you choose (some have a tub and shower, while others just have a shower), but include complimentary toiletries and pajamas. This is a good place to stay for travelers who plan to be out of their room a lot but want to stay in a cool spot in an even cooler area.
6. Marunouchi Hotel
This four-star hotel is located in Marunouchi, a central neighborhood that has easy access to the rest of the city. It’s right next to Tokyo Station, making it really convenient if you plan to do day trips or head elsewhere in Japan via train. The property has several nice restaurants, including French, Japanese, and teppanyaki eateries. For breakfast, you can choose to have the Western breakfast buffet or a set Japanese menu (both of which are delicious). There’s also a fitness center (something I appreciate more and more as I get older).
All rooms have large windows (some with a view of the historic train station) and a modern Japanese design, with light wood paneling and cream-colored walls. The large standard double rooms have massive beds, a desk, and a small seating area. All rooms also feature a TV, safe, and electric kettle with tea and coffee packets. Bathrobes, slippers, and pajamas are provided too, and I like that you can borrow other things you might need, like power adapters, chargers, or even yoga mats. The bathrooms are small but well-equipped, with lots of complimentary toiletries, bidet toilets, and a shower/tub combo. Overall, the hotel has a bit of a businessy feel (because of the area), but it’s really convenient and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Tokyo is one of my favorite cities in the world. You could easily spend a week here and not even scratch the surface of what there is to see and do. Just make sure to stay in one of the hotels above during your trip. Do that, and you’ll be sure to have a great stay in this massive, high-tech metropolis.
Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
For more places to stay, check out my article on my favorite hostels in Tokyo. It has a long list of them!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- InsureMyTrip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!
Want More Information on Japan?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Japan for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower, 3 – Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, 4 – Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi, 5 – The Celestine Ginza, 6 – The Mustard Hotel, 7 – Marunouchi Hotel
The post The 6 Best Hotels in Tokyo appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
https://ift.tt/L2FIblz July 26, 2024 at 05:30PM
Comments
Post a Comment