The Best Hotels in Tokyo in 2016

Harajuku fashion, cherry blossoms, and sushi may be some of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Tokyo. But the Japanese capital’s skyscraper hotels are just as iconic — as is the country’s custom of providing unparalleled customer service. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In the hotels category, readers rated properties on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Properties were categorized as city or resort based on their locations. The 10 properties that made the cut possess two specific characteristics: high-quality service and world-class cuisine. One T+L voter raved about the “out-of-this-world concierge” at this year’s winning property, the Mandarin Oriental, while another noted how attentive to detail the staff was. “When the general manager found out we were engaged, he upgraded our room for the last evening.” The food at the five-star property received high praise as well, with one reader calling it “the best hotel food in Tokyo, including the in-room dining.” Aside from the quality of customer service and food, what else does it take to land a coveted spot on the list? A top-notch location, to start, as well as spacious rooms, and a variety of amenities. Many of the top 10 properties were complimented on their pools, spas, and club lounges. Many other survey respondents highlighted the importance of a bird’s-eye view of the city—this is Tokyo, after all. The Park Hyatt, for instance, provides not only a mind-blowing display of the densely populated neighborhood of Shinjuku but also an unbeatable view of Mount Fuji (talk about the best of both worlds). Whether you’re a business traveler, a couple with young kids, or a tourist looking for a taste of luxury from Tokyo’s best properties, there’s somewhere for every type of traveler on this list.