What To Expect at Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya: Our Detailed Review

After a wonderful honeymoon month in Japan across August and September 2024, it was time for me to head back home. Although my wife had already flown back a few days early for work commitments, I had a few days in Tokyo while I searched for award space to return to the U.S. (which was a success).

Deciding where to stay in Tokyo is always difficult, as the city has thousands of accommodations ranging from capsule hotels to high-end luxury properties, with well-known hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton.

Since I had a World of Hyatt free night certificate expiring in the coming weeks, I thought Tokyo would be the perfect place to use it for the last night. Ultimately, I stayed at Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, a newer hotel in the heart of one of Tokyo’s most famous districts, Shibuya.

Read on for my full review of Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya and why you should consider this property if you travel to Tokyo.

Booking Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of my favorite credit cards, and for good reason. It has a fantastic earning structure (especially when spending with Hyatt), provides complimentary Hyatt Discoverist status, and provides elite night credits that help reach World of Hyatt’s elite status quicker.

However, the best part of the World of Hyatt card is that it provides a Category 1-4 free night certificate each year. Since my free night certificate was set to expire, it was time to use it or lose it.

I began by visiting Hyatt’s website to see the available properties. Since I wanted to maximize the free night certificate, I narrowed the search to Category 4 hotels. I had 2 choices: Hyatt Regency Tokyo or the new Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya. Ultimately, I selected Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, a relatively new property (opened in February 2024) in the heart of the trendy Shibuya area.

I had heard that this hotel was difficult to book on points, but I found award space for the 1 night I needed. I booked a 1-king bed room, which was the only standard room available.

After confirming my date and the award space, I was ready to book the hotel. Several point booking options included using 15,000 World of Hyatt points or making a Points + Cash booking. Since I was using a free night certificate, I selected that.

After filling in my information, I received the hotel confirmation.

Although I was using a free night certificate for the stay, I wanted to check the cash rates for the night. I was pleasantly surprised that I could use it for a room that would have cost ¥64,372 (about $450), which more than pays for the World of Hyatt card’s annual fee.

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide on the best credit cards for World of Hyatt loyalists who pay cash rates at Hyatt hotels.

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya Location

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya is within the Shibuya Sakura Stage (Sakura Tower) in the heart of the Shibuya district, which is home to many of Tokyo’s hottest shopping malls, fashion boutiques, world-class restaurants, and entertainment venues. 

The property is just south of Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo’s most important and busiest railway stations. It is minutes from the famous Shibuya Crossing, a popular pedestrian crossing considered the busiest intersection in the world.

It is also near many of Tokyo’s biggest tourist attractions, including Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Yoyogi Park. Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s largest business and entertainment districts, is within easy reach of the property.

The hotel is inside the new Shibuya Sakura Stage, a 2-tower complex that is part of the transformative redevelopment of the Shibuya area. When complete, it will be the only residential building in central Shibuya and will house offices for more than 10,000 people. It also has an open-air green plaza on the rooftop of a pedestrian crossing.

Getting There

From Narita International Airport (NRT), you can take the Narita Express Train directly to Shibuya Station. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs ¥3,250 (around $25).

Alternatively, you can take the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori Station and switch to the Yamanote line to Shibuya Station. This also takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes but requires about 10 minutes of additional walking, as the Yamanote line exit at Shibuya Station is on the other side. This journey is slightly cheaper and costs ¥2,750 (around $20).

From Haneda Airport (HND), you can take the Keikyū Airport Line train to Shinagawa Station, where you can change to the Narita Express train to Shibuya Station. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs ¥1,270 (around $10).

Checking In

Navigating Shibuya Station can be extremely challenging because it is not housed in 1 building and is one of the busiest interchange stations in Tokyo. It’s a large rail and subway hub spread out over several underground and aboveground layers.

Before heading to the property, I checked Google Maps to get a sense of the route. From Shibuya Station, I followed the signs to Sakura Stage. Once I arrived at the building, I found signage guiding me to the hotel.

After walking for a few minutes, I came across an open-air corridor lined with intricate, tree-like art.

As I walked further, I saw the entrance to the property. I arrived at the hotel at 11 a.m., well before the hotel’s official check-in time of 3 p.m.

Upon entering the hotel, I noticed a small seating area resembling an art piece and a sign guiding guests to the elevators to the 16th-floor lobby.

I followed the sign, turned right, and walked down a hallway to the hotel’s 2 elevators.

After exiting the elevators, I turned left and proceeded straight to the conveniently located check-in desk. A front desk representative welcomed me to Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya and requested my identification.

After some small talk, the front desk representative returned my passport and informed me that my room was ready. He mentioned that I had been assigned a room on the seventh floor. I asked about the possibility of a room on a higher floor, but none were available.

After I provided my credit card for incidentals, the staff member gave me the room key cards and directed me to the elevators.

Elite Benefits

I requested an upgrade to a deluxe room or a suite as a World of Hyatt Globalist member, but the staff member informed me that the Hyatt House brand does not participate in Hyatt’s best-room-available benefit. However, he did mention that I would receive complimentary breakfast and a 4 p.m. late checkout, perks of being a Hyatt Globalist.

Bottom Line:

The check-in process took about 2 minutes to complete. While I appreciated the efficiency, I was disappointed that no upgrade (or even a nicer room) was offered to me as a Hyatt Globalist. Either way, I was excited to get to the room and was thankful that I could have an early check-in at 11 a.m.

Lobby

The lobby was spacious but narrow. The check-in desk and the bar were on one side of the single hallway, while the other featured a seating area and the hotel’s pantry.

The lobby’s only seating area was directly across from the check-in desk. It consisted of 2 identical sectional sofas along the back wall and ottomans, which were incredibly plush and comfortable. Wooden coffee tables separated the seating areas.

I really enjoyed the interior design, interesting artwork, and minimalist aesthetic of the seating area.

The hotel’s H Market was to the right of the seating area, divided by a wall. More on this in the Food and Beverage section.

Directly across the H Market was the hotel bar, which was connected to the check-in desk.

Lastly, the hotel restaurant, Moss Cross Tokyo, was on the hall’s far left. A separate hallway led to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool.

Walking down the hall past the check-in desk and elevators, I noticed a small seating area with 2 restaurant-style booths.

Finally, the elevators were directly across the hall from the secondary seating area.

Bottom Line:

Overall, the hotel lobby was quite large and spacious. Although there was only 1 main seating area, it had enough seating for at least 15 people. The hotel lobby was extremely long and spread out and never once felt crowded. I also loved the elegant design and minimalist approach to the lobby.

1-King Bed Room

Utilizing my room key card, I took the elevator down to my room, 710, on the seventh floor.

As I entered the room, I saw a narrow foyer that led to the main section.

The room’s closet was immediately to the left. It contained several hangers and an ironing board.

Below the clothing rack was an integrated luggage rack and several drawers. The room’s safe was here, and a clothing steamer was in one of the drawers.

The hotel also provided complimentary slippers to use around the room, which is quite common across hotels in Japan.

To the right of the closet was the room’s refrigerator, freezer, and microwave oven.

The microwave was easy to use despite everything being in Japanese. It proved to be quite useful during my stay at the hotel.

A small kitchenette with a sink and an induction cooktop was to the right.

In the top drawer was a well-chosen assortment of cutlery and cooking utensils. Among them were less common hotel items such as a spatula, a ladle, a peeler, and even sets of chopsticks.

The rest of the glassware was in the second drawer, along with plates and bowls of various sizes, plastic containers, and a cutting board.

The room’s flat-screen television was directly to the right of the kitchenette, resting on a storage unit/desk.

On the far left of the storage cabinet was a compact coffee station featuring a Nespresso machine and an electric kettle.

While most of the drawers were empty, 1 cabinet held a set of exceptionally comfortable complimentary pajamas.

The room’s workstation was to the right of the television. It was relatively simple and featured a plush chair that, while not ergonomic, was surprisingly comfortable. I loved the color choice, which provided a striking contrast to the wooden tones of the room.

Additional shelving was embedded in the wall next to the workstation.

Across from the television was a cozy corner with a small, 2-person sofa adorned with a few throw pillows. There was also a small dining table that, despite its flimsy appearance, was surprisingly heavy and sturdy.

Lastly, the room’s king bed was in the far right corner of the wall. The bed looked and was incredibly comfortable, with 4 pillows of varying firmness and a plush headboard.

A small side table was on both sides of the bed. The right table had the room’s phone. The left table held the room’s alarm clock. Above the side tables were light controls and wall-mounted lamps.

The room’s windows were directly next to the bed and stretched the length of the room.

Bottom Line:

Although the room was fairly simple, it had everything I needed for my 1-night stay. I especially appreciated the well-organized layout, with everything having a specific place. The room felt quite cozy and had a homey atmosphere reminiscent of a Japanese apartment.

Bathroom

The bathroom was conveniently near the room’s entrance. I appreciated the sliding door, which provided a good level of privacy.

The bathroom was divided into separate sections. The main vanity section was directly between the toilet room and the shower room.

The bathroom vanity contained a small sink and some storage below, which held the towels and a blow-dryer. On top of the vanity were complimentary toiletries, including a razor, dental kits, and a comb.

However, the bathroom’s defining feature was the combination washer and dryer, which was fairly easy to use and proved to be incredibly convenient and useful.

The toilet was in the far right section and featured a Japanese-style toilet with a bidet. It also had its own door for added privacy.

The shower was in the far left room and included a separate soaking tub. It featured a handheld, retractable showerhead, but there was no overhead rainfall showerhead.

The shower had wall-mounted reusable bottles of KENETMD-branded toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.

The soaking tub was quite spacious, though I didn’t use it during my stay.

Bottom Line:

Like the rest of the room, the bathroom was simple but highly functional. I appreciated the separation between the shower and toilet, each with its own door. The standout feature, however, was the washer and dryer combination machine. It was incredibly convenient, allowing me to do all my laundry in the hotel room.

Amenities

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya offered a few amenities, including a swimming pool and a fitness center.

Swimming Pool

The property had an incredible, 15-meter heated indoor pool on the 16th floor. The pool could be accessed through a hallway past the hotel lobby and was open daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

To access the pool, guests had to visit the front desk to obtain a key card for the pool area. This key card had to be returned after use.

The pool was incredibly clean and well-maintained, and there was seating for a few people. However, each time I visited, the pool area was completely empty.

Although I didn’t take a dip in the pool, I was definitely tempted — the pool looked incredibly inviting.

A hot tub also added a touch of luxury and relaxation to the pool area.

Fitness Center

The fully-equipped fitness center was on the 15th floor and was open 24 hours a day. All the cardio machines and strength training equipment were from the Life Fitness brand.

Walking in, I was greeted by treadmills and an elliptical.

There were also 2 different types of stationary bikes.

The fitness center also included a small corner with a bench and a rack of dumbbells, with weights ranging up to 20 kilograms (approximately 44 pounds). 

It also offered yoga equipment, including mats and a medicine ball.

Rooftop Garden Terrace

The hotel also boasted an incredible rooftop garden terrace, accessible from the lobby. It was open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., though it can close during unfavorable weather conditions.

The terrace was a perfect spot to unwind, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya. While it had no seating, I had no trouble sitting on the ground, finding solace away from the chaotic urban streets below.

Multifunction Room

The hotel also offered a multifunction room in the lobby. Although it featured a single table, it would have been an excellent option for a meeting or an intimate event.

Food and Beverages

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya featured several on-site dining options.

Moss Cross Tokyo

The hotel had 1 main restaurant, Moss Cross Tokyo, accessible through the lobby past the check-in desk and hotel bar.

The restaurant was closed on Sundays and Mondays for lunch and dinner. It was open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and for dinner between 5:30 and 10 p.m.

In the morning, the restaurant offered a Western-style breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner, it featured modern Japanese-French cuisine. For hotel guests, there was a set menu and an à la carte menu.

The menu also featured an extensive beverage selection, with various alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Since I was staying at the property on a Monday, I went to the front desk to ask what they recommended guests staying on Sundays and Mondays do. The staff member provided me with a brochure with Shibuya restaurant recommendations for guests of the Hyatt property.

Hotel guests could have their breakfast at Moss Cross Tokyo daily between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Walking into the restaurant, I immediately saw the breakfast buffet. World of Hyatt Globalist members received complimentary breakfast.

The breakfast buffet began with a station for miso soup. Several toppings, including Japanese mustard spinach, spring onions, and tofu, were available.

Next, there was a Japanese omelet station with grated red radish.

There was also a dedicated hot food station that included mixed beans, scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, fried eggs, bacon, lasagna, French fries, chicken nuggets, and pork sausages. However, there didn’t seem to be a good selection of meats other than pork.

A salad bar had several toppings, such as corn, onion, cucumber, and seaweed, and dressings, such as on with homemade carrots, herbs, and apples.

Next, a bakery section included whole wheat bread, homemade white bread, croissants, baguettes, brioche, walnuts, danishes, and pancakes.

It had an excellent selection of spreads and jams, including peanut butter, maple syrup, and Nutella.

Lastly, there was a limited selection of cereals, including brown rice, corn, and granola. However, the area had plenty of toppings, including raisins, roasted nuts, oatmeal, mixed fruits, nuts, and seeds.

After perusing the limited breakfast buffet, I filled plates and returned to my seat. Although the variety was limited, everything was well-prepared. I particularly enjoyed the pastries, which were all soft to the touch (just how I like them).

During the meal, the chef came over to check on me. I mentioned that while the food was delicious, the buffet didn’t have enough for those who didn’t eat pork. The chef apologized and offered to prepare something special for me.

A few minutes later, the chef returned with a hot plate of chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture, and it was absolutely delicious.

Bottom Line:

I found the breakfast buffet to be limited, especially for those who don’t eat pork (like me). Still, the food was delicious, and best of all, World of Hyatt Globalist members received complimentary breakfast.

H Bar

The hotel lobby bar, connected to the check-in desk, was open daily between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The bar featured a good selection of beverages, including coffee and tea, beer, Champagne, white and red wines, cocktails, and some nonalcoholic soft drinks.

While there was a decent selection of beverages, I found them to be overpriced, especially considering the many bars and coffee shops in the Shibuya area.

H Market

The property also had a 24-hour-a-day H Market, a staple of the Hyatt House brand. The H Market offered a variety of grab-and-go foods.

The H Market’s fridge was stocked with various microwavable foods, including pancakes, cheesecakes, rigatoni, pasta, ravioli, frozen pizzas, salmon, risotto, fruit snacks, ice cream, panini, and frozen lobster bisque.

The selection of beverages was also impressive, featuring wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks such as juices, ginger beer, lemonade, and carbonated beverages.

A dedicated station also offered coffee and snacks such as vegetable chips, cookies, smoked mixed nuts, fruit juices, sardines, and meats.

You could also find hotel amenities for sale, which included Hyatt House-branded pajamas, slippers, and a travel set with soaps, facial mist, lip balm, and sunscreen.

Service

Despite not having many interactions with the hotel staff, I found the service to be great. As expected in Japan, the staff were all incredibly welcoming and constantly smiling. They were ready to help with whatever I needed and were available to answer any and all of my questions.

I appreciated the chef at Moss Cross Tokyo checking in on me during breakfast. The plate of chicken and tomatoes he made especially for me was an incredibly kind and thoughtful gesture.

Final Thoughts

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya is a solid Hyatt property in the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo. The hotel is difficult to find but is in an ideal location for those who want to be in the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood.

Although I did not get an upgrade as a World of Hyatt Globalist, the room was quite modern and provided me with the comfort I needed for the night. I especially enjoyed having a laundry machine inside the room. Breakfast was complimentary for Hyatt Globalist members, but I found the offerings limited.

The hotel staff was friendly and welcoming, which always makes the hotel experience that much better.

I would definitely consider staying at the property again. Cash rates tend to be quite high at the hotel, but you can redeem the free night certificate from the World of Hyatt card at this property.