Hotels with balcony in Tokyo

I visited Tokyo with my 88-year-old father. The hotel’s location is arguably the absolute best, making it incredibly convenient to visit Tokyo’s major attractions. The hotel facilities were also highly satisfying. First and foremost, the amenities in the guest room were excellent, and the thoughtful accessibility considerations for the elderly or infirm gave us great peace of mind. For instance, the provision of a bath chair with a backrest was very impressive. The hygiene and meticulous housekeeping were of the highest standard. Furthermore, the non-slip mat provided in the bathroom clearly reflected a deep consideration for the guests' specific needs. All of this, of course, is a testament to the staff’s proactive service and attentive care. If there was one minor disappointment, I wish a wider variety of pillows had been available in the room. In this regard, I felt it fell slightly short of meeting guests' diverse preferences. Additionally, as a helpful suggestion for safety, designing bathroom doors to open outward to facilitate emergency access in case of an accident inside is a fundamental design principle for luxury hotels. While preventing accidents altogether is ideal, being fully prepared for emergencies is what sets the highest standard of excellence. On another note, despite the hotel being located within a major railway station, there was absolutely no noise. The soundproofing was truly remarkable. The breakfast offered a rich and diverse selection, beautifully balancing traditional Japanese cuisine with Western options. While ordering a more unique or specialized beverage took a bit of time, the quality and taste were highly satisfying. The other facilities, particularly the restaurants and cafes, were exceptionally calm, elegant, and quiet, providing a very pleasant experience. The food, of course, tasted excellent. However, you must ensure you have ample time to enjoy it; it can require a significant amount of time and patience before the food is served in front of you. Overall, our experience was exceptionally satisfying and wonderful. With its rich historical background and narrative, the hotel offered a deeply engaging and far from boring stay.

First off, I need to clarify that the photos below are of the hotel's **Spacious Twin Room**! The **Superior Twin Room** listed on Trip.com has those really old bathrooms! 😭 I asked the front desk, and all the photos of newly renovated rooms are either for an upgraded Spacious Twin Room, or for a downgraded 23-sqm room type (and the 23-sqm rooms don't have the same dry/wet separated bathroom as pictured below). Because I'm so particular about clean bathrooms, I had no choice but to pay an extra 500 RMB per night at the front desk to upgrade to the **Spacious Twin Room**... 💔 Perhaps the hotel took pity on my wallet, as they gave me an access pass to the 47th-floor lounge. Figures 3-4 below are photos of the 47th floor. It's quite large, with various seating options like chairs, sofas, tatami mats, and even hammocks for relaxing. There's also a children's play area (with a manga bookshelf) and complimentary Starbucks and soft drinks. Food and alcoholic beverages cost extra. Also, my **Spacious Twin Room** was probably set up as a triple, as they provided 3 sets of L'Occitane toiletries daily. I unexpectedly achieved 'L'Occitane sample freedom' 😂. However, I must say that Keio Plaza's transportation and location are excellent: there's an airport shuttle to and from the airport, and it's less than a 5-minute walk straight to the Shinjuku transportation hub/commercial district. It's also right opposite the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, surrounded mainly by office buildings, making the area very nice, quiet, and safe. The hotel's service has a classic touch; in the mornings, you can choose to have an English or Japanese newspaper delivered to your door, and there are attendants in the elevators who greet you and hold the door. In summary: I would consider staying here again on my next visit, but I'll definitely be more careful about choosing the room type, hahaha! 🤦

The Gate Hotel Ryogoku by HULIC was the best hotel I've ever stayed in! The staff were very friendly and efficient, the breakfast buffet was incredible, the rooftop lounge was a nice bonus, the twin room was spacious, and the location was great - it was a very quiet area with a beautiful (and free) garden just across the street, a picturesque river right beside it, and a short walk to the train station that was one stop away from a station that can connect you to the rest of Tokyo.

The accommodation is about a ten-minute walk from the station. It's clean and tidy, and having a washing machine is a huge plus for travelers. The bathroom even has a bathtub for a relaxing soak. The only downside was that on the day we stayed, the guests upstairs kept running around, making a lot of noise! It improved after the host intervened, which I really appreciate 🙏 Kinshicho Station area is very lively, and I'd love to visit again if I get the chance!

We traveled with a group of five. The apartment was quite spacious for the number of people, very clean, with a balcony and a traditional-style room. It had everything necessary for a large group: two showers, toiletries for washing and bathing, a washing machine with detergent, shoe shine equipment, an iron, a small ironing board, and other household items. It's located a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Temple and about a 10-15-minute walk to the nearest subway station. There are several 7-11 stores, cafes, and bars nearby. The only downside is that you have to carry luggage up a rather small staircase to the 3rd floor, but overall, it's tolerable.

A Stay That Feels Like Coming Home – My Honest Review 1. Prime Location, Peaceful Setting Tucked just a short stroll from Shinagawa Station, this guesthouse is brilliantly located for exploring Tokyo. Despite being so close to a major transport hub, the neighborhood is remarkably quiet and residential. Finding the place was a breeze – clear instructions and a distinctive exterior made it instantly recognizable. 2. Thoughtful, Characterful Interior Design This is no cookie-cutter hostel. The owner has poured genuine creativity into every corner – vintage posters, handmade handpicked furniture, and an artsy blend of retro and modern elements. I booked a single bed this time, but unlike the typical 10-square-meter hotel boxes in Tokyo, my space felt genuinely roomy. I could stretch out, lay open my suitcase, and still have floor space to do morning stretches – a rare luxury for solo travelers. 3. Fully Equipped – With Surprising Extras The amenities go way beyond basics. A full kitchen with cookware, a washing machine. But the real delight? The owner’s personal toy collection scattered around – retro figures, board games, and quirky knickknacks to tinker with. And the crown jewel: a vintage record player with a curated vinyl selection, plus a compact DJ setup. I spent one evening spinning tracks with the host personal collections – an unforgettable Tokyo memory. 4. The Host – Warm, Witty, and Genuinely Sociable The owner is the heart of this place. They greet every guest like an old friend, share honest food recommendations for the local alleyways (I tried three of his tips – all phenomenal), and even bring their little dog down to the common area in some evenings. We’d gather around, sip drinks, chat about life, and laugh at their stories. It’s that rare blend of hospitality and authenticity that you can’t book – it just happens. Who Would Love This Place? Solo adventurers who crave connection but value their own space. Digital nomads needing room to work and relax. Music lovers, design nerds, and anyone tired of sterile hotel chains. If you’re traveling alone in Japan and actually want to make friends – over a shared meal, a vinyl crackle, or a dog’s gentle nudge – this is your spot. Highly, highly recommended.

Centurion Hotel Ueno was a complete disappointment, falling short of basic hospitality standards. The deception started right at check-in: the room was explicitly advertised and booked as a ”Casual Double Bed,” but what we actually received was a cramped single bed. This blatant misrepresentation immediately compromised the comfort of our stay. The lack of care extended into the bathroom, which was a major letdown. The sink and shower area were marred by very bad, visible marks that made the entire space feel neglected and unhygienic. For a hotel that positions itself in a convenient location like Ueno, the absolute disregard for accurate room descriptions and rigorous housekeeping is unacceptable.

The sign at the entrance is tiny and easy to miss. There's no elevator, and the stairs are narrow. The front desk is on the second floor, and the female dorms are on the fourth, making it really difficult to carry luggage up. The hygiene was terrible. For the few days I stayed, it barely seemed to be cleaned. The floors, mirrors, and sink were all dirty. The large trash can in the room wasn't emptied daily. Both the toilet and shower stalls were extremely cramped. There was nowhere to put clothes, so I had to put them on the floor by the door, which incidentally opened inward, meaning my legs hit the toilet. Sitting on the toilet, my knees were practically touching the door. The bed was incredibly creaky; even a slight turn resulted in a loud squeak. The mattress protector kept slipping off. The sliding door for the bed wasn't functional, so only the curtain could be used. There were no curtains on the window, so people outside could see in. Someone was changing clothes, unaware, and was clearly visible from the residential buildings across the street. Each person gets a locker for valuables. The door couldn't be locked, meaning anyone could walk straight up the stairs from the street to the room. The front desk was sometimes unattended, which made me feel unsafe. It's run by Chinese people, and they also have guesthouses. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from Shibuya Station, and there's another station nearby. There are plenty of food options and supermarkets in the area.

I'd like to point out the apartment's excellent location: the building is right next to the metro exit. The view from the balcony is excellent. The neighborhood is very quiet, with plenty of convenience stores nearby, a 10-minute walk to the SkyTower shopping center, and plenty of nice restaurants nearby. It's interesting that when you step outside, it's very quiet, but in the apartment with the open balcony, you can hear a lot of traffic noise. There was enough space for three of us, but the fold-out sofa isn't very comfortable. We used a mattress, an extra blanket, and a blanket underneath ourselves to soften it, but overall, we didn't have any problems, such as back pain. The apartment includes an iron, a microwave, and other kitchen appliances. There's a washing machine, but it wasn't plugged in, so we didn't bother fixing it ourselves. There was a hair dryer, but it was very weak and dusty. When you turn it on, it starts to smell burnt, so we didn't use it. The apartment itself is in good condition, but it feels like it could quickly become too old. Aside from the hair dryer, there was a dirty sheet in the linen set. We informed the owner, who apologized and offered to send a new set, but we only found another sheet. We also mentioned that there would be three of us staying, but the ”sofa” wasn't made, so we had to make it ourselves.

The room is very good and clean