Why book?
A budget-friendly hotel disguised as a luxury stay, the Gate Hotel’s glass tower rises up over a bustling intersection in Ginza, offering those quintessential Lost in Translation views.
Set the scene
The first thing you’ll notice when you step off the elevator is a lively champagne bar inhabiting the lobby-cum-lounge on the building’s fourth floor, filled with a mix of hotel guests and local business folk enjoying an afterwork coupe. The front desk around the corner may seem like an afterthought, but au contraire—service is as polished and capable as any of the city’s five-star offerings.
The backstory
Hulic is a major real estate player in Tokyo, but they’ve made a worthy entry into the hospitality space with a few local hotels—this, their Ginza location, is our favorite.
The rooms
Spic and span rooms come with a brightly colored accent pillow to enliven otherwise dim, nightlife-inspired decor. Light sleepers may want to request to avoid the rooms facing the train tracks—we did, however, think the double-glazed windows were doing an effective job of blocking out noise.
Food and drink
Look no further than the hotel’s top floor where you’ll find an exclusive rooftop terrace open only to guests, plus a snug teppanyaki table that feels like a speakeasy Japanese restaurant.
The neighborhood/area
Many of the city’s best-value hotels are in and around Ginza. The Gate Tokyo wins the prize for the most centrally located property in the neighborhood—transit hubs, chic boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in town are all within arm’s reach.
Anything left to mention?
Running classes in the nearby Imperial Gardens is an added perk for gym rats who want some fresh air.
2-2-3, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0006
Japan
https://www.gate-hotel.jp/en/tokyo/
-14418