World City Guide

Hotels

Hotel accommodation is subject to Japan’s consumption tax, which currently stands at 5% and is added to the final bill. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government levies a tax on hotel rooms costing over ¥10,000, at a rate of ¥100 per person per night on rooms costing between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999, and ¥200 per person per night on rooms costing ¥15,000 or more. Luxury hotels also add a 10–15% service charge to hotel bills. Tipping is not customary and might offend.

The prices quoted below are the lowest standard rates for a double room, excluding breakfast and excluding consumption tax and service charges, unless otherwise specified.

Business

Hotel New Otani
A modern mega-hotel towering over the vibrant Akasaka government and entertainment district, the stylish New Otani’s outstanding feature is its historic four-hectare (ten-acre) Japanese garden complete with waterfall, dining pavilions, tennis courts and an open-air swimming pool. The hotel is an enormously popular venue for everything from society weddings to large-scale conferences and international summits, and regularly welcomes celebrities. The recently refurbished rooms boast high-speed Internet access. During peak periods, the shopping arcades, lounges and spacious lobby are extremely busy, although the traditional teahouse and New Otani Art Museum offer tranquil alternatives. Particularly notable among the three dozen restaurants are La Tour d’Argent, Trader Vic’s and The Bar, which offers panoramic views from the 40th floor.

4–1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3265 1111. Fax: (03) 3221 2619.
Website: www.newotani.co.jp/en
Price: From ¥36,000.

Hotel Nikko Tokyo
The spectacular curved edifice of this brand new ‘urban resort hotel’ is located in Tokyo’s up-and-coming waterfront area, close to the Tokyo Big Sight international exhibition centre and only 15 minutes from the city’s main business districts. Each guest room has a private balcony overlooking the bay and telephone with modem point, while sophisticated rooftop suites boast private gardens and Jacuzzis. An impressive and memorable venue for functions and conferences, the sumptuous banquet halls offer panoramic sea views, as do the impressive Zen Health Spa, the continental-style Terrace Restaurant and the nautically themed Captain’s Bar. The hotel’s contemporary design features pale colours, natural materials and works of art. The spacious, airy feel and excellent service make it a fine choice for those not requiring a city centre location.

1–9–1 Daiba, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 5500 5500. Fax: (03) 5500 2525.
Website: www.hnt.co.jp/english
Price: From ¥33,000.

Imperial Hotel
The grande dame of Tokyo’s international hotels, the Imperial’s impeccable service and excellent location between Hibiya and Ginza ensure its continued position among the capital’s most prestigious addresses. The Old Imperial Bar dates from the 1922 Frank Lloyd Wright building, although today the hotel is a modern 31-storey edifice with over 1000 rooms, each equipped with three telephone, fax and computer-compatible lines, plus a health club, extensive conference facilities and an executive business centre. The vast, lively lobby is a popular meeting place for businesspeople and ‘ladies who lunch’. Numerous fine restaurants include the renowned Les Saisons. The hotel’s shopping arcade is a favourite with visitors, as is the traditional Japanese tea ceremony room.

1–1–1 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3504 1111. Fax: (03) 3581 9146.
Website: www.imperialhotel.co.jp
Price: From ¥39,000.

Keio Plaza Inter-Continental Tokyo
The two towers of this 47-storey hotel overlook the Nishi-Shinjuku business and shopping area, affording breathtaking views of the surrounding cityscape. The white and gold lobby impresses and 40 function rooms, with a capacity of up to 1800 delegates, put the hotel firmly on the conference and convention map. A rooftop swimming pool, private high-tech karaoke rooms and comprehensive business and computer facilities are further attractions. The comfortable rooms are equipped with video on demand, two telephone lines and modem points. The 45th floor Pole Star Bar offers stunning nightscapes, while two dozen restaurants serve Japanese, Chinese, French and Italian cuisine.

2–2–1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 3344 0111. Fax: (03) 3345 8269.
E-mail: tokyo@interconti.com
Website: www.tokyo.interconti.com
Price: From ¥24,000.

Luxury

Four Seasons Hotel Chinzan-so
Surrounded by extensive gardens of timeless beauty, this distinguished modern hotel in the suburb of Mejiro is a wonderful retreat from Tokyo’s stresses and, unsurprisingly, a firm favourite with dignitaries and international celebrities. High-tech facilities make it a popular conference venue, while the gardens, with their pagoda and summer fireflies, are coveted for upscale weddings and functions. The opulent decor and furnishings reflect a sophisticated blend of influences, while recreational facilities include a hot spa and glamorous swimming pool. The guest rooms are among Tokyo’s largest and several suites have private garden patios. The hotel’s acclaimed restaurants serve a variety of cuisines and the two elegant lounges are perfect for cocktails or afternoon tea.

2–10–8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku
Tel: (03) 3943 2222. Fax: (03) 3943 2300.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/tokyo/index.html
Price: From ¥41,000.

Park Hyatt Tokyo
The almost decadent luxury of this stunning hotel has quickly established it as Tokyo’s most impressive address for both business and pleasure. Located in one of West Shinjuku’s most impressive buildings – a towering 52-storey edifice – the host of remarkable facilities include international video-conferencing, a superb health club and extensive private library and art collection. Spacious guest rooms feature oversized bathrooms and personal entertainment centres with large windows providing stunning views of distant Mount Fuji or the Meiji Shrine. The renowned New York Bar & Grill and the lively Girandole brasserie are both top-class dining options, while the sumptuous breakfast buffet offers a chance to glimpse numerous famous faces.

3–7–1–2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 5322 1234. Fax: (03) 5322 1288.
E-mail: mail@parkhyatttokyo.com
Website: www.tokyo.hyatt.com
Price: From ¥52,000.

Moderate

Hotel Tateshina
This well-priced yet superior business hotel is conveniently located near the corporate and transport hub of Shinjuku and the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen Park. The small Western- and Japanese-style rooms are all en suite and equipped with a desk, telephone, TV and hairdryer. The reception desk offers photocopying, fax and word-processing services, while the hotel’s conference and banquet room seats 30 people and is available at reasonable prices. Some English is spoken and foreign guests are most welcome. The hotel’s small restaurant, Noboru, serves American- and Japanese-style breakfast for ¥800, as well as a Japanese lunch and dinner menu.

5–8–6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 3350 5271. Fax: (03) 3350 5275.
E-mail: info@tateshina.co.jp
Website: www.tateshina.co.jp/eindex.htm
Price: From ¥11,000.

Shibuya Business Hotel
In a city with notoriously little affordable central accommodation, this conveniently located hotel represents a bargain, despite its lack of facilities and small rooms. A two-minute walk from Shibuya Station, situated in a quiet back street, the efficient receptionists welcome foreign guests, therefore minimising the language barrier problem. The rooms, each with a tiny unit bathroom, are cramped but nevertheless functional, clean and equipped with TV, telephone and hairdryer. There is a small breakfast room, a drinks vending machine and the reception offers a photocopying and fax service. The stylish Chinese restaurant, Tenchu Saikan, occupies the hotel’s basement and is popular with guests.

1–12–5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3409 9300. Fax: (03) 3409 9378.
Website: www.inn-info.co.jp/english/hotels_kanto/kat061e.html
Price: From ¥8600 (excluding breakfast).

Other Recommendations

Radisson Hotel Narita Airport
With Tokyo’s Narita Airport a two-hour journey from the city centre, this large, modern airport hotel is an excellent choice for arriving and departing visitors. Located 20 minutes by complimentary shuttle bus from the airport, it offers both Japanese- and Western-style rooms, many of which look onto the hotel’s beautiful and extensive gardens, giving the complex something of a resort feel. Impressive executive and recreational facilities include a business centre and meeting rooms, a gym, tennis courts, sauna and two swimming pools. In addition, there is easy access to historic Narita-san temple and nearby shopping areas.

650–35 Nanae, Tomisato-machi, Inba-gun, Chiba
Tel: (0476) 931 234. Fax: (0476) 934 834.
E-mail: narita@radisson.com
Website: www.radisson.com/tokyojp_narita
Price: From ¥16,500.

Sawanoya Ryokan
Budget-minded visitors wishing to experience something of traditional Japanese culture should consider staying at this old-style Japanese inn (ryokan), located in a residential neighbourhood near Ueno Park. Guests sleep on futons in tatami rooms and can enjoy a traditional hot bath and Japanese breakfast. The inn is family-run and the hospitable English-speaking owners are eager to make guests feel at home and help them get the most from their stay. Each room has a TV and free Internet access is available in the lobby. Sawanoya is a popular member of the Japanese Inn Group and reservations should be made well in advance.

2–3–11, Yanaka, Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3822 2251. Fax: (03) 3822 2252.
E-mail: sawanoya@tctv.ne.jp
Website: www.sawanoya.com
Price: From ¥8800 (excluding breakfast).