Photo by JoelBoily/iStock
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Top 7 Boutique Hotels
Tokyo's best boutique hotels are everything they should be: artistic, unique and passionately, painstakingly designed. From a deceptively simple hotel appointed with leather and contemporary art to a soaring tower based on a traditional Japanese hot spring inn, the perfect boutique accommodation for every trip and budget can be found right here in Japan's capital. If you're looking for where to stay in Tokyo, these places are always a good choice as some of the best hotels the city can offer.
table of contents
[x] close
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Top 7 Boutique Hotels
Hotel 1899 (Shimbashi)
Hotel 1899 was built around the concept of tea, and how this ancient drink relates to the coexistence of tradition and modernity. On the ground floor, the hotel's in-house deli and bar is staffed by tea sommeliers, and offers specialties like hojicha rice and all-you-can-drink tea plans to promote the brand's concept. This hotel in downtown Shinbashi is currently the company's only accommodation, but they do have a second restaurant located in Ochanomizu. Hotel 1899 is a simple business hotel with no frills, but rooms are new, modern and well-appointed with everything from a desk to the brand's own original tea set. Rates start from 15,300 yen.
Claska (Meguro)
Claska is a luxury boutique hotel in the artsy Meguro neighborhood. Guestrooms are carefully designed with a mix of contemporary western and traditional Japanese elements. The hotel also houses several spacious studios and a rooftop terrace available for rental, often hosting art shows, weddings and other social events. On the second floor, Claska's gallery and shop features artisanal gifts, pottery and crafts for a unique souvenir. Rates start at 19,000 for double rooms and 14,000 for solo travelers.
Onsen Ryokan Yuen (Shinjuku)
After its grand opening in late 2018, Onsen Ryokan Yuen quickly rose to become one of Shinjuku's most sought-after hotels. Yuen's hot spring baths offer stunning views of Shinjuku, and the outdoor bath is piped with springwater all the way over from Hakone, a place well-known for the healing powers of its alkaline waters. Guestrooms range from a spectacular suite with panoramic downtown views to a humble semi-double, with rates starting at 11,000 yen per night.
Hotel En (Shibuya)
Conveniently located in the heart of Shibuya, Hotel En is an electric mashup of Japanese pop culture with familiar traditional elements, like theatrical masks and woodblock paintings (ukiyo-e), mixed together. Guestrooms are all unique, ranging from all-white and brick-walled suites to basic yet stunning double rooms with sophisticated decor. Rates start at 15,000 yen.
Hotel the Knot (Shinjuku)
The rooms here (apart from the lavish Terrace Suite) are simple with the occasional urban flourish, but that's because the hotel hopes to entice guests to spend time in their spacious multi-purpose lobby, lounge areas and restaurants on the first and second floor. Here, both staying guests and daytime visitors will find a tea stand, bakery, lounge, bar and restaurants with outdoor terraces where they can work, relax and dine from morning til night. Room rates start as low as 11,000 yen per night.
Holic Hotel (Ebisu)
Holic Hotel is a newer boutique hotel located in Ebisu, a lively area close to the trendy and upscale Daikanyama neighborhood, and with direct access to a number of major areas in Tokyo. Holic Hotel's rooms are urban and contemporary, and the penthouse suite with its spacious terrace and elegant furnishings is worth splurging on. Basic rooms start at 18,200 yen per night.
Nest Hotel (Hanzomon)
Located just west of the Imperial Palace, Nest Hotel's cozy rooms may be a little small but are aesthetically pleasing and offer all the usual amenities. From the chestnut wood and bronze-cushioned lobby to the handsome leather sofas in the guestrooms, this hotel has a chic masculine vibe that sets it apart from the rest. There are no restaurants or other facilities inside the hotel, but there is free artisanal bread in the mornings available on the ground floor. Rates start at 9,000 per night for double occupancy, a very reasonable price for hotels in Tokyo.
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Conclusion
As travelers grow weary of cookie-cutter hotels and began to seek out more unique, artsy or traditional accommodation, the travel industry has since changed to meet these needs, with boutique hotels springing up around the world. Ensure your trip to Tokyo will be one of a kind by choosing to stay at some of the city's inviting boutique accommodation.
