Grand Hyatt Tokyo

"Why book? Points fiends unite—one of the most pliable high-end stays when it comes to cashing in loyalty cards has become a favorite of international travelers wanting to level up on their vacation. Rooms could use some updating, but the Roppongi location—seemingly 20 minutes away from all of Tokyo’s attractions—is unbeatable. Set the scene A jack-of-all trades property where businessmen and large families all have room keys, not to mention the gaggles of locals stopping by for dinner or drinks. With a roaring wedding trade as well, not to be missed is the property’s shinto shrine, past the bevy of ballrooms lofted above the lobby. The backstory Hyatt has made serious inroads across Japan over the last few decades—the Park Hyatt Tokyo (also on the list) was immortalized in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, and the brand new Park Hyatt Kyoto is gobsmackingly gorgeous; the Grand Hyatt is a notch down in the luxury category, bringing high-end service a little closer to those beyond the one percent. Rooms All the trappings of 20-year-old decor are present in the entry-level rooms—and although the rooms’ vibe is a bit passé, they've been cared for very well over time. As such, the nightly rates are considerably less than other major players in the luxury category, so perhaps it’s worth leveling up to one of the suites where the older design choices feel more stately; the biggest one even has a private pool. Food & drink This is where the property really shines, with the most robust assortment of food and beverage of any of the city’s high-end hotels, not to mention the dozens of restaurants and bars in the Roppongi Hills development not five steps beyond the front door. If you’ve just landed in Japan and don’t have the energy to venture far, your sushi dreams will come true on the sixth floor at Roku Roku, where counter service comes with big smiles and tasty, fresh fish. The buffet breakfast is legendary, and, frankly, the perfect antidote to the lagging morning service at its luxury hotel competitors; throw down the extra cash for access to the club lounge and take your morning latte and croissant with a quieter view of the city below. Neighborhood Roppongi has long been a haven for expats, and the creation of Roppongi Hills two decades ago has further enlivened the area with luxury boutiques, apartments, restaurants and a compelling holiday illumination. The best part about Roppongi, however, is that you’re only a few metro stops away from everyone’s favorite Tokyo destinations whether it's Shinjuku or Shibuya, or Ginza and Asakusa the other way. Service Buttoned up bellman bound through the lobby; Grand is indeed the key word when describing its size, and as such, guests may not get the personalized attention to detail of a smaller property." - Brandon Presser