Aloft Tokyo Ginza: What You Need To Know [Full Review]

^{The author stayed as an invited guest of Aloft Tokyo Ginza. All opinions are the author’s own, and Aloft Tokyo Ginza had no input in any part of this review.}

The last time I visited Tokyo was back in 2016 — nearly a decade ago — and it left an imprint that’s stayed with me ever since.

I stayed at the iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo, a property that even today ranks among my favorite hotels worldwide. Perched high above Shinjuku, the Park Hyatt delivered the kind of timeless luxury and ambience (yes, “Lost in Translation” vibes included) I’ve daydreamed about revisiting ever since.

Fast forward to June 2025, when I had the chance to return to Tokyo — but this trip was special for a different reason. I was traveling with my mom, whose lifelong dream has been to visit Japan. As someone who loves food, culture, and exploration, she’s talked about Japan for years — and it finally felt like the right time to make it happen now that she’s on the verge of retiring.

We wanted something modern, comfortable, and, most importantly, central. We ultimately settled on the Aloft Tokyo Ginza, a Marriott Bonvoy property in the heart of Ginza. One of Tokyo’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Ginza is known for its upscale shopping, art galleries, and hidden gems down narrow alleys. 

With easy access to multiple train lines, it also provided a convenient starting point for exploring all corners of the city.

While the Aloft brand might not carry the prestige of a Park Hyatt, I was curious to see how it would hold up — especially in a city that prides itself on top-notch hospitality. 

I spent 4 nights at the Aloft Tokyo Ginza in June, and in this review, I’ll share my experience and whether I’d recommend it to other travelers headed to Tokyo — especially those looking to strike the right balance of style, value, and location.

Booking Aloft Tokyo Ginza

Before I go into the specifics of the stay, it’s important to note that this visit was a hosted stay arranged by the hotel. That said, I had already been planning to book the Aloft Tokyo Ginza for this trip — and not just 1 room but 2.

Originally, the plan was for my mom, wife, and 3 daughters to all join, which meant I needed a hotel that could accommodate a group of adults and kids across multiple rooms. Tokyo is known for compact hotel spaces, so finding something in a central location with flexible room layouts became a priority.

The Aloft Tokyo Ginza checked all the boxes, as it is right in the heart of Ginza and walkable to multiple subway lines.

At the time I was searching, award nights at the Aloft Tokyo Ginza were averaging around 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

That made it a great candidate for redeeming 50k free night certificates, which come with several Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards. For travelers sitting on unused certs from cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, this property could be a sweet spot.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. Certain hotels have resort fees.

3 Free Night Awards

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,050

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier

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Card Highlights

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Hot Tip:

If I were paying cash, I would’ve used my Marriott Boundless card to earn 6x points during my stay, since it earns this rate at Marriott hotels. I could have also turned to a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which earns 2x points on travel, including hotel bookings. Either way, I appreciated that I could’ve booked a stay at Aloft Tokyo Ginza with points, certificates, or cash at a reasonable rate — especially for such a central Tokyo location.

Aloft Tokyo Ginza Location

The standout feature of the Aloft Tokyo Ginza — hands down — was its unbeatable location, which I absolutely adored.

Having previously stayed in Shinjuku and Shibuya, I can confidently say that Ginza might just be my favorite neighborhood for exploring Tokyo. It’s incredibly well-connected — we were just 2 blocks from the Ginza line of the Tokyo metro, giving us quick and easy access to the entire city.

Plus, Ginza itself is Tokyo’s premier shopping and dining district, with countless high-end stores, trendy boutiques, and world-class restaurants all within walking distance. In fact, within a 5-minute walk of the hotel, we had access to hundreds of eateries, from local gems to Michelin-recognized spots.

The hotel is also right next to Ginza Six, one of Tokyo’s most luxurious shopping complexes, and is surrounded by charming side streets lined with independent shops and cafes. If location is a top priority, Aloft Tokyo Ginza truly delivers.

After landing at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), my mom and I took the Narita Express (N’EX) to Tokyo Station for a smooth and efficient transfer to our hotel. We purchased our tickets directly from the station inside the airport — super easy and convenient.

The fare was around $21 per person, and the ride was comfortable, clean, and quick, with no stress about traffic. Once we arrived at Tokyo Station, we hopped in a taxi for a short 5-minute ride to our hotel, which cost us only $10. All in all, it took us around 1 hour and 10 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel — not bad considering how far Narita is from Tokyo’s other, more convenient airport: Haneda (HND).

We chose this N’EX-plus-taxi combo over taking a taxi straight from the airport to the hotel, which not only could’ve taken longer because of unpredictable traffic but also would have cost us about $180 one-way — a much steeper price tag. For both value and efficiency, the Narita Express is a no-brainer when heading into central Tokyo.

Checking In

We pulled up to the Aloft Tokyo Ginza around 4:30 p.m., and my first impression was positive — the building had a sleek, minimalist exterior, and the interior gave off an energetic, modern vibe.

True to the Aloft brand, it struck that balance between youthful and stylish, with clean lines, open spaces, and a lobby that felt more like a lounge than a traditional check-in area.

I walked up to the front desk and gave the agent my name. She found my reservation quickly and thanked me for being a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member, a status I hold thanks to The Platinum Card^® from American Express (enrollment required). While Gold Elite doesn’t come with the full suite of perks that Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members enjoy, the staff still took the time to acknowledge it, which I appreciated.

She briefly walked me through the benefits of my stay — including daily breakfast, which was included with my stay. Normally, the buffet breakfast at the Aloft Tokyo Ginza runs around $22 per person, but it’s complimentary for Platinum Elite members and above when booked directly. In my case, including breakfast was a welcome touch, especially for a city where dining out every morning can add up fast.

Room key cards in hand, we headed up the elevator to check out our accommodations: a 2-Twin Larger Guest Room, which would be our home base for the next 4 nights.

Bedroom

When my mom and I first stepped into our room at Aloft Tokyo Ginza, we were immediately struck by how light, airy, and stylish it felt — echoing the same modern design vibes as the lobby downstairs.

At just under 300 square feet, this was actually the largest nonsuite room type at the property, but for 2 people on a longer stay (more than 3 nights), it felt a little snug. After our stay, I’d say 2 to 3 nights is the sweet spot for comfortably sharing this space with someone. Beyond that, it started to feel a bit tight.

The layout made smart use of the space, with 2 incredibly comfortable twin beds and a sleek, touchscreen-equipped nightstand to easily adjust the lighting.

It was thoughtfully designed and works well, but when sharing the room, you’ll definitely be cozy.

We used the corner table by the L-shaped couch to stash our daily essentials, like wallets, snacks, and passports.

A coffee and tea station above a minifridge with pods and tea made for a nice self-serve perk.

Our view overlooked a few buildings in Ginza — nothing spectacular, but pleasant enough.

The bedroom TV featured a few dozen cable channels in addition to providing streaming options, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+.

That said, storage was one of the room’s weakest points. There was no traditional closet, just a small entryway nook with hangers and a ledge, which wasn’t ideal for 2 large suitcases and a week’s worth of clothes. Most of our luggage ended up lined up on the floor near the entrance.

Bathroom

The bathroom setup also deserves a mention: The toilet (a high-tech Japanese model, which we loved) was in a separate room from the shower.

However, the vanity was open to the rest of the room, meaning there wasn’t a lot of privacy. Make sure you’re traveling with someone you’re really comfortable with!

On the plus side, the shower was fantastic — great water pressure and both a rainfall showerhead and a handheld wand.

The full-bottle shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were from the California-based Drybar brand.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I’d say this room was perfect for 1 person or a close pair traveling together. Rollaway beds weren’t allowed, and space was limited. But if you’re OK with a compact setup and modern design, the Aloft Tokyo Ginza delivers style, comfort, and functionality in the heart of Tokyo.

Amenities

The hotel doesn’t offer a wide range of amenities, so you’re booking your stay here for an excellent base to explore Tokyo — not for the kind of extensive amenities you’d find at a full-service luxury property like the Ritz-Carlton or an EDITION.

Fitness Center

The fitness center at Aloft Tokyo Ginza was small but well-equipped and open 24 hours a day, making it an ideal spot for a workout — perfect if you’re jet-lagged, like I was at 4 a.m.

I visited 3 times during my stay and only ever shared the space with 1 other person.

Despite the small size, the layout offered some separation, with treadmills on one side and free weights and machines on the other.

Therefore, multiple guests could comfortably use the gym at once without bumping into each other.

Conveniently, it was just a few feet from the hotel’s main dining venue, the Warehouse.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi at Aloft Tokyo Ginza was free for all Marriott Bonvoy members and worked like a charm throughout my stay. The speed was perfectly reliable and kept me connected all day without any issues.

Food and Beverages

The Warehouse

The Warehouse is Aloft Tokyo Ginza’s sole restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a playful, industrial-themed space.

It’s open Monday through Friday from 7 to 10:30 a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch, and 6 to 10 p.m. for dinner. On weekends, hours are the same for breakfast, with lunch extended to 4:30 p.m.

The breakfast buffet here was a true highlight of our stay.

In addition to traditional American breakfast dishes like made-to-order omelets, bacon, and sausage, there were several flavorful Japanese offerings — pork shumai, miso soup, and stir-fried noodles stood out.

I took advantage of the Japanese offerings each morning.

Guests could help themselves to a self-serve coffee machine that whipped up lattes, cappuccinos, and more, along with a fridge stocked with various juices.

The breakfast area started to fill up by 7:30 a.m. with guests eager to explore Tokyo, so early birds who arrived at opening (7 a.m.) enjoyed a quieter, more relaxed start.

The breakfast buffet is available for around ¥3,200 per person (about $22) if it’s not already included in your room rate.

Roof Dogs Rooftop Bar

Roof Dogs Rooftop Bar at Aloft Tokyo Ginza opens around noon most days. It has a cool, funky vibe, bright fluorescent colors, and a quirky design.

The views weren’t anything crazy, but it seemed like a nice spot to relax before or after dinner. Sadly, I only went up to check it out when the rooftop wasn’t operating because of heavy rain.

There was plenty of seating, and in warmer months, a food truck called Food Truck Eddie serves up hot dogs and sparkling wine in the fresh air. When the truck’s closed in winter, guests can grab takeout from the lobby bar and bring it up to the roof.

The rooftop is usually open from 12 to 11 p.m. on weekends and from 6 to 11 p.m. during the week.

W XYZ Bar

The W XYZ Bar is a popular hangout for hotel guests, thanks to its vibrant, playful atmosphere filled with colorful decor and plenty of plush seating.

Toward the back, I found a pool table perfect for friendly games. On some nights, the bar has live music.

It has a full bar serving up classic cocktails and local favorites.

I didn’t have time to grab a drink here during my stay, but I loved walking by this eclectic bar — its vibrant design always caught my eye.

The W XYZ Bar is open from 3 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 12 p.m. to midnight on weekends.

Service

The service at Aloft Tokyo Ginza really impressed me and made my stay feel extra special. One night, I needed help figuring out the best subway route to get to a dinner reservation, and the front desk team couldn’t have been more helpful. They were super friendly, walked me through the route step by step, and even gave me local tips.

But what really touched me was what happened on Father’s Day. I didn’t know it, but my wife and daughters called the hotel from the U.S. to do something nice for me. So after a long day exploring the city, I came back to my room to find a sweet note from the hotel, written on behalf of my daughters, along with a few chocolates. It was such a thoughtful surprise and honestly meant a lot.

Japan is known for genuine, thoughtful service, and the staff at this hotel really lived up to that reputation.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a stylish, well-located, and comfortable home base for exploring Tokyo for a few days, Aloft Tokyo Ginza is a fantastic option.

While it doesn’t offer the extensive amenities of a full-service luxury hotel, what it does offer — a vibrant atmosphere, thoughtful service, a prime location, and the ability to redeem Marriott free night certificates for strong value — makes it a standout in its category, especially in a city where hotel rates can be steep.

For travelers who plan to spend their days out exploring and want a clean, modern, and upbeat place to come back to at night, Aloft Tokyo Ginza checks all the right boxes.