Hotel Risveglio Akasaka
"How did it strike you on arrival?For a compact, budget-minded hotel, it packs a surprisingly hip design. Common areas are dark and moody, completed with raw materials like gray brick walls, black-painted surfaces, and backdrops of light wood that bring the entire palette together. What’s the crowd like?Mostly young, some couples—all the type of folks who appreciate savvy design on a tight budget. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The smallest rooms are, well, on the smaller side (this is Tokyo, after all). There's a bit more space in Superior Double rooms. Furniture is modular, allowing a complete set-up (end tables, a simple loveseat, and a coat rack manage to fit in a single row with a flat-screen TV overhead). Local artists added final touches to each room, so expect various paintings on the wall that give each space an urban, graphic vibe. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The bed is particularly pillowy, and you won't regret opting for one of the larger room categories. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?It's the little, trendy touches that set it apart. Rooms come with a branded tote, a small towel, bottled water, a house-labeled tea, and even a custom fragrance to spritz around the room if it feels stuffy (if the in-room air purifier isn't enough). Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Bathrooms are super clean and hardly feel as compact as they are. Above all, they are up to date. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?The free Wi-Fi? Works just like it should. Room service: Worth it?There's restaurant attached, but no food and beverage options available directly through the hotel—which is okay, considering the staff are prepared with nearby recommendations. Plus, there's tea in rooms and complimentary coffee in the lobby. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?The front desk is your hotline, even for English speakers. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.While it's just a short walk to a few subway stations, it's a nice, quiet nook tucked down a narrow street. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?It's not the whole package (don't look for a spa, pool, or bellhop), but that's the point to this pared-down concept. It's cooler than an everyday budget hotel, and has its own personality to match. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Looking for an edgy basecamp? Bank on this place." - Keith Flanagan
