Where to Stay in Tokyo: 20 Hotels at Every Price Point

Do you consider yourself a bit of a book nerd? If so, you’ll be in heaven at this hostel-meets-library where guests sleep in snug cubbies surrounded by bookshelves. It’s one of the most unusual hotels we’ve ever seen, oozing with industrial charm that bookworms will geek out over. If you’re looking for a comforting good night’s sleep, this probably isn’t the place for you; but what it lacks in privacy and comfort, it makes up for in uniqueness, charm and affordability.

Starting rate: $53

Travelers hoping to stay at a ryokan (a Japanese guesthouse) usually venture to the suburbs of Hakone or the Izu Peninsula, but Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku offers this traditional experience right in Shinjuku, the neon-lit, never-sleepy heart of Tokyo. Still, you’ll feel entirely removed from city life when you enter this hotel. With around 200 rooms, it’s larger than typical ryokans, but the vibes are relaxing and the style traditional. Don’t miss the authentic Japanese breakfast where you’ll enjoy a parade of ceramic bowls piled with rice, miso soup, grilled mackerel, pickles and more.

Starting rate: $94

The first budget hotel from the luxurious Hoshino hotel brand, the OMO5 is a convenient and contemporary spot geared toward millennial travelers. Perhaps the best feature is that the hotel is located just a two-minute walk from the JR Yamanote line that circles the whole city and provides easy access to just about anywhere. Rooms are decorated in traditional Japanese style: compact and clean with calming colors. It falls into a very rare category of Tokyo hotels that are clean and thoughtfully designed with a very reasonable price tag.

Starting rate: $119

Walking distance from Tokyo Station and Ginza, the Park Hotel scores big in the convenience factor. The lobby is located on the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower, and when the weather cooperates you can catch great views of Mount Fiji when you check into your room. This affordable spot also boats a five-star concierge, making this a great choice for food lovers who want to explore some of Tokyo’s difficult-to-score restaurant reservations.

Starting rate: $136

A favorite among budget-minded travelers, the Shibuya Granbell boasts convenience, artistic design and a young, hip charisma at an affordable price that is hard to come by in Tokyo. Just a stone’s throw from Shibuya Station, the Granbell is surrounded by excellent shopping, amazing food and dynamic nightlife. The rooms run on the smaller side, and the amenities won’t blow you away, but if you’re looking to stay right in the beating heart of the city, this should be at the top of your list.

Starting rate: $136

Yep, that Muji. Your favorite Japanese home-goods store has opened a hotel that epitomizes everything you love about the Japanese aesthetic. Located among the sweeping department stores and glitzy brand names that make up the downtown Ginza district, the hotel is sleek, Zen and minimalist (think wooden elevated bunk beds, bookshelves and tatami mats). And of course, the 79 guest rooms feature Muji products with a focus on recycled materials.

Starting rate: $180

Open since 2003, Hotel Claska remains a cult-favorite among hipster and artsy travelers. Tokyo’s original design hotel houses galleries, a gorgeous design store and art workshops in addition to just 20 guest rooms that span from Japanese to Western in style, but all are equally comfortable and serene. Plan on reserving months and months in advance, as this place books up fast. If you’re looking to find a great under-the-radar spot, the front desk will gladly tell you about the amazing new izakaya around the block or the hip gallery opening taking place downstairs.

Starting rate: $207

Right smack between Shibuya and Harajuku, Trunk Hotel is the ideal location for travelers who want to be in the center of Tokyo’s action and around young, trendy and creative travelers. The hotel’s two black steel buildings have just 15 rooms total, but the property is best known for its public spaces, like an open lounge for coffee or craft beers, a convenience store (think 7-Eleven but chic) and a restaurant called Trunk(Kitchen) where you’ll find bites like Wagyu burgers and fried soft-shell shrimp.

Starting rate: $260

Centrally located in Tokyo’s Shiodome business district, this sleek and glitzy hotel is easily accessible to all the city’s main sites. You’ll find plenty of suits and business travelers traversing through the 28th-floor hotel lobby, but a family wouldn’t feel out of place here either. With its 290 rooms, the Conrad is far from a boutique hotel, but customer service makes you feel as if you’re the only guest. There’s even an app you can download to help personalize your stay before touching down in Tokyo.

Starting rate: $317

For those who prefer familiar Western comforts over the Lost in Translation experience, the Tokyo Station Hotel is a safe bet. Attached to the actual Tokyo Station—one of Japan’s largest transit hubs—it ranks high on the convenience scale. The landmark hotel is more than a hundred years old, a rarity in this city full of newly built skyscrapers, and with its grand red-brick exterior, the facade looks more like London than Tokyo. If you’re hoping to get into some of Tokyo’s most exclusive restaurants, booking through the very well-connected concierge service at Tokyo Station Hotel will give you a good shot.

Starting rate: $339

You’ll find it in the neighborhood of Akasaka, an upscale area populated by diplomats and expats. Originally built in the 1960s, the Capitol Hotel Tokyo was frequented by celebrities such as the Beatles and Michael Jackson, but the historic property was completely rebuilt in 2010. Today, the 250-ish rooms include elegant Japanese touches such as shoji paper screens and green tea–infused shower products.

Starting rate: $373

Located inside the Midtown Tower—formerly the tallest building in Tokyo – the Ritz-Carlton boasts arguably the most dazzling hotel views in the entire city. Step outside and you’ll find yourself right in the center of Roppongi, an upscale neighborhood steeped in art and culture. Don’t miss afternoon tea in the club lounge, and if you’re in search of fine dining, you must have a meal at Azure 45, a Michelin-starred French restaurant on the 45th floor that highlights local Japanese ingredients from local markets.

Starting rate: $477

Located on the top six stories of a 52-story skyscraper, the Andaz has an open lobby, giant windows, sleek decor and a boutique feel. The views here are worth writing home about, especially if you score a room gazing out upon the Tokyo Tower, but any of the 164 rooms you wind up in will make you feel as if you’re quite literally on top of the world. The dreamy 37th-floor AO Spa & Club offers a broad menu, from eye brightening treatments to Oriental healing massages, and we also love the swimming pool with its views of the Imperial Palace.

Starting rate: $484

If you’ve ever seen Lost in Translation, you’ll recognize this towering property. The elegantly designed Park Hyatt soars over bustling Shinjuku, offering sweeping 360-degree city views of both Tokyo and Mount Fuji. The iconic New York Bar, located on the 52nd floor, boats incredible views, great cocktails, live jazz music and one of the best selections of Japanese whiskey in town. Follow in Bill Murray’s footsteps and order a glass of 17-year-old Hibiki.

Starting rate: $493

While it’s at the heart of the city, the 290-room Palace Hotel still manages to bestow tranquility on its guests thanks to its location just at the edge of the leafy green Imperial Palace. The Palace Hotel was first built in 1961, but after a complete renovation in 2012, it feels fresh and contemporary. And thanks to the oversized, sun-drenched windows, modern art and lush views, this property seems more like an extravagant private residence. A rarity in Tokyo, the rooms here are large and airy, and many even include private balconies overlooking the gardens.

Starting rate: $530

One of Tokyo’s most beloved five-star hotels, the Mandarin Oriental is just as dazzling and glitzy as you’d expect it to be. As soon as you get to the 38th-floor lobby, you’ll be taken aback by the giant windows gazing over Tokyo’s bed of skyscrapers, the iconic Skytree, and on clear days, cloud-topped Mount Fuji in the distance. If you never want to leave the hotel, you wouldn’t have to, thanks to 12 restaurants like Sense, a popular dim sum spot, and Sushi Shin, a high-end omakase counter.

Starting rate: $530

This five-star establishment offers all the luxuries and services you’d expect from the lavish international Peninsula brand. The 24-story hotel was designed to look like a giant Japanese lantern illuminating across from the Imperial Palace. Guest rooms are some of the most spacious in all of Tokyo, featuring dressing rooms and the sort of grand, pristine hotel bathrooms travelers dream of (hello, rainfall shower and deep soaking tub). Don’t miss the afternoon tea or a Kobe steak dinner at Peter, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant.

Starting rate: $547

With just 57 rooms, the Four Seasons is one of the few luxury hotels in Tokyo that feels almost boutique. And as is typical of the Four Seasons brand, this Tokyo property is great for anyone traveling with kids. Unlike many comparable luxury hotels that occupy the highest floors of skyscrapers, the Four Seasons is lower to the ground, and guest rooms gaze out onto the hustle and bustle of city life from behind floor-to-ceiling windows. We love its location right next to Tokyo Station, which makes traveling a breeze. You’re just steps away from catching the subway to Shibuya Crossing or the bullet train to Kyoto.

Starting rate: $658

A modern ryokan right in the bustling Otemachi area, the Hoshinoya is a clean break from the hustle and bustle of bright and busy Tokyo. The rooms are minimalist-chic, featuring sliding paper screens, tatami floors and a neutral color palette. Enjoy free tea, coffee and snacks all day in the communal lobby or pick up some complementary onigiri (rice balls) before starting your day. On the top floor, there’s an onsen hot spring bath perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring.

Starting rate: $611

There are luxury hotels, and then there is Aman, which is in a league of its own. Tokyo’s Aman is the brand’s first urban resort, and this sleek, serene property leaves no stone unturned. Set in the business district of Otemachi, Aman is slightly removed from the chaos of the city, but you’re just minutes away from the thick of it. True to the Japanese aesthetic, the design is minimalist and clean with tatami mats, deep onsen-like soaking tubs and earth tones. You’ll want to book a treatment at the two-floor hotel spa, which contains steam rooms, hot tubs and an expansive pool with panoramic views.

Starting rate: $822