Review: The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

For the very last night on our trip to Japan, we stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. This is one of the most prominent and well-known hotels in the city, particularly amongst Western hotel brands.

I was initially on the fence about staying here at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, since, despite its stellar reputation, the hotel appears to be slightly dated in terms of physical appearance.

In the end, however, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided it would indeed be worthwhile to give this world-famous luxury property a try. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – Booking

A stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo doesn’t come cheap on either cash or points. Cash rates start in the region of ¥100,000 ($930 CAD), climbing to upwards of ¥160,000 ($1,484 CAD) at busier times.

Meanwhile, points bookings fall in the range of 80,000–100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. At the time of my booking, a one-night stay was 91,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

With both cash and points quite high, I felt this was a prime opportunity to make use of a Free Night Award worth 85,000 points. This particular certificate was earned as part of the welcome bonus from an Amex US Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.

I topped off this Free Night Award with an additional 6,000 Bonvoy points to cover the total redemption of 91,000 Bonvoy points.

Keep in mind that if you’re booking a cash rate, you can use Marriott STARS to get additional benefits which wouldn’t otherwise be included with your Marriott Bonvoy elite status. For the same or a lower rate as booking online, you can potentially enjoy complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and room upgrades.

Book with Prince of Travel and Marriott STARS

Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Marriott STARS and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:

• Daily breakfast for two guests
• Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
• $100 (USD) property credit
• In-person welcome and personalized welcome amenity and note
• Third, Fourth, or Fifth Night Free at select properties

 

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The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – Location

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo is located in the heart of Roppongi. The hotel is nestled into the upper levels of Midtown Tower, one of the city’s tallest buildings.

Roppongi is a multifaceted district in Tokyo. For some, it’s a popular nightlife district, while for others, it’s a retail and residential space with many offices and luxury hotels.

Moreover, it’s become somewhat of a cultural hotspot, with its concentration of multiple art galleries and museums. Just a five-minute walk from The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is the Suntory Museum of Art, while the National Art Center and Mori Art Museum are both within a 15-minute walk from the hotel.

The closest metro station to the hotel is Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Oedo Line, with direct access from the building downstairs. The second-nearest station is Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

The best way to get to the Ritz-Carlton from Haneda Airport is by train to Daimon Station, and then changing to the Toei Oedo Line to Roppongi. And from Tokyo Narita International Airport, the Narita Express or Skyliner can take you to Tokyo Station or Nippori Station, respectively, before taking another city train to Roppongi. 

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – Check-in

There are two entrances to the hotel. The first is connected to the Tokyo Midtown urban shopping district, and the other is the ground-level vehicle entrance.

If you’re coming from Roppongi Station, the most convenient entrance is accessed via the Tokyo Midtown shopping mall. 

We arrived this way, venturing through a few hallways to the elevators, which take you up to the main lobby on the 45th floor.

The lobby had an open-concept design. The check-in desks shared the space with many of the hotel’s dining and drinking establishments.

When we arrived, the hotel associates welcomed us to the hotel, acknowledging my Marriott Titanium Elite status. The windows in the lobby lounge offer a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

We had originally booked the King Tokyo Deluxe Room. As we came to expect during many of our Tokyo stays, the hotel was quite busy, so there was no suite upgrade forthcoming.

Naturally, I gave it my best with a bit of “suite-talking”. I took a look on the Marriott app, and noticed there was indeed a suite available for the night.

Unfortunately, the hotel reiterated that there were no suites available, and after a closer look, the suite on the app wasn’t actually bookable. We therefore contented ourselves with our King Tokyo Deluxe Room for the one-night stay.

In an effort to experience the hotel’s offerings in full, I opted to purchase Club Lounge access, which is a major attraction of staying at this hotel.

Club Lounge access costs ¥30,000 ($280 CAD) plus tax per room per night on weekends, or ¥20,000 ($184 CAD) plus tax per room per night on weekdays. 

After verifying our Club Lounge purchase, we made our way up to Room 5018 on the 50th floor of the hotel.

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – King Tokyo Deluxe Room

Upon entering the room, I immediately took note of the relatively older style of the furnishings and décor.

The carpets, beige walls, and dark wood furnishing created quite an antiquated feel. A few wallpapers with Japanese design elements helped to break up the monotony, and added some pizzazz to the space.

A lengthy foyer leads to the spacious bedroom, where the sweeping views are sure to draw your attention during both daytime and nighttime. Indeed, looking out over Tokyo’s sprawling cityscape from 50 floors up is undeniably one of the highlights of staying here at the Ritz-Carlton.

The oversized and very comfortable king bed is the centrepiece of the room. A classy lattice accent wall is set behind the bed, and a small ottoman is at its foot.

To the right of the bed are two comfortable armchairs, a floor lamp, and a side table between them.

To the left of the bed are a desk and two less supportive armchairs.

On the wall opposite the bed is a double armoire and a TV. The double armoire was much appreciated, as Jessy and I could keep our belongings in separate spaces.

At the foyer of the front entrance, the bathroom is on the right, and then a pantry is to the left.

The pantry across from the bathroom had a well-stocked minibar and featured a Nespresso coffee maker. Moreover, it was proactively set with a welcome gift in the form of decadent chocolates.

The bathroom is also very spacious. It has a more Western style and quite some character, albeit very much in keeping with the old-school style of the room.

The shower and toilet are enclosed behind frosted glass doors. The bathtub here stands alone, rather than combined with the shower in a single wet room, as is commonplace in Japan.

The bathroom features a double vanity, which was a pleasant surprise, as double sinks are typically reserved for suites rather than a base-level room.

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – Luxury Suite & Carlton Suite

I also had the opportunity to tour a few of the other suite types here at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo.

The Luxury Suite is one of the lower-level suite types. The room has a separate sitting area, with a couch and chairs and a bedroom similar to the base-level rooms.

As a corner room, you’ll have superior views in the bedroom, with windows on two walls instead of just one.

The Carlton Suite is a higher suite type with even more space and stunning views. The large seating area here features two couches and a chair.

There is a separate desk nestled into its own nook. The bedroom is also extremely spacious, with two armchairs and side tables positioned by the windows.

Overall, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo is a classic luxury hotel that makes for a very comfortable home for your time in Tokyo. In particular, I’d say that it’s especially ideal for families travelling with young children who would appreciate the additional space in the rooms and suites.

The only gripe I have is the somewhat dated interiors of the rooms, which could certainly use a refresh, and I understand that the hotel has a full soft refurbishment scheduled for 2024–25. 

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – Club Lounge

On the 53rd floor of the hotel, you’ll find the crown jewel of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo: the Club Lounge.

It’s an extremely elegant space with a more modern identity as compared to the rest of the hotel. Indeed, this refreshed space is in keeping with the style of newer Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world, and I’d expect the rest of the hotel to be revamped in its image over the coming years. 

The interior styling has a luxurious yet library-like ambience. A collection of sculptures and books can be found throughout, contributing to the sophisticated atmosphere.

This exclusive lounge has four distinct areas: the reception, a dining room, a garden terrace, and the library lounge.

You’ll find plenty of seating within the lounge, ranging from two- and four-person dining, and then more comfortable couches and armchairs offering remarkable Tokyo views.

There are five meal presentations a day, including breakfast, a light lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and then cordials and dessert.

Breakfast has a set menu including both Western and Japanese selections, as well as some buffet items.

We opted for a few options from the buffet, including omelettes, bacon, sausages, and then some cereal, pastries, meats, and cheese.

Of course, we also opted to try the set Japanese breakfast. The set included a daily fish option, a Japanese omelette, and some other traditional accompaniments. This was served alongside rice and miso soup.

The light lunch included cured meats and cheese and a salad bar, along with some pastries and fruit.

Afternoon tea was lovely, with a layered presentation of small sweets. Furthermore, there was a nice selection of savoury dishes, as well as more sweets from the menu.

There is a bar in the Club Lounge with an impressive selection of spirits, whiskeys, and wines. A fridge is also stocked with soft drinks, which you can help yourself to throughout the day.

Live music is featured in the Club Lounge. If you’re lucky, you may even be treated to a performance by a harpist.

The entertainment begins with afternoon tea, and is also present for dinner.

The evenings at the Club Lounge have a beautiful ambiance with an impressive spread. There’s a buffet and a live cooking station that features udon bowls.

The quality of the food here was excellent, and the service was exemplary.

The elevated service up here is one of the best parts of the Club Lounge. The staff are highly attentive, as they checked in on us often and brought us whatever we desired.

Having said that, Club Lounge access doesn’t come cheap at this hotel, so purchasing access only makes sense if you intend to spend a meaningful amount of time at the hotel, bearing in mind that Tokyo has no shortage of great food options too. 

If you’re here for a longer stay; it might be worthwhile to purchase Club Lounge access for one day just to experience it.

However, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to have it for the entire duration of your time at the hotel, unless you’re looking for a quiet space and don’t mind the added expense, or perhaps staying as a family and can hop in and out of the food presentations to keep the kids feeling full. 

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo – Dining

There’s no shortage of dining options at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, no matter what type of food you’re looking for. 

Azure 45 is a fine dining venue on the property specializing in French cuisine. The interiors are warm and inviting, with soft blue furnishings, wooden elements, and geometric patterns.

Towers also uses traditional French cooking techniques, and has phenomenal views overlooking the city.

Hinokizaka is a well-respected establishment known for its panoramic Tokyo views, and has previously been awarded a Michelin star. This Japanese venue has four distinctive dining areas at the restaurant for kaiseki, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki.

Each seating area at Hinokizaka offers a unique experience. Some are much more traditional, while others offer striking views of the Tokyo skyline.

Furthermore, in the lobby, there is The Lobby Lounge and The Bar. The lounge has a stunning view of the city and offers afternoon tea, light fare, cocktails, and sometimes even live entertainment.

The Bar looks like a welcoming spot to relax in the evening. You can enjoy plates made for sharing alongside some cocktails.

Indeed, if we didn’t have free-flowing drinks at the Club Lounge, we would’ve certainly stopped by here for a drink in the evening.

Lastly, there is The Ritz-Carlton Café & Deli on the ground floor, near the entrance from Tokyo Midtown. Here, you’ll find café classics, including soups and sandwiches, specialty coffee, and plenty of desserts.

The Ritz Carlton Tokyo – Other Facilities

The hotel’s 46th floor is where the spa facilities and fitness centre are situated. It’s quite extensive and impressive, with plenty of weights and cardio equipment.

While I didn’t get a chance to use the facilities, it appeared to be very suitable for guests who desire a good workout.

The pool shares the same floor as the fitness centre. It’s an equally expansive space with a hot tub towards the back, lounge chairs dotted along the windows, and a wonderful skyline view.

Conclusion

Despite its somewhat dated interiors and premium price point, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo remains a highly desirable property with a convenient location, grandiose rooms and suites, excellent dining, and top-notch service. 

The 360˚ vistas of sprawling Tokyo alone make this a hotel that’s well worth checking out. These views can be found throughout the property, from the guest rooms to the dining venues, lobby, and leisure facilities.

The Club Lounge is certainly the highlight of the property, and is worth the extra splurge to experience, even if it’s just for one day. 

With a generous series of five food presentations from morning until evening, along with live music and a sophisticated atmosphere, the Club Lounge certainly added a touch of relaxation and refinement to our stay at the hotel. 

Keep in mind that the hotel has planned a soft refurbishment in the coming years, so it may be worthwhile to wait until the hotel has finished its refresh for a further elevated experience.