Is The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Worth the Splurge? An In-Depth Review

Tokyo has something to offer everyone: world-class shopping, electric nightlife, incredible dining, and a unique history. It also offers some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

Although I have been to Tokyo several times before, this was my wife’s first time. I wanted to ensure I had a few luxury hotel nights booked for this honeymoon trip. Fortunately, Tokyo has plenty to choose from, and many bookings can be made using points. Ultimately, I booked a 1-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, thanks to a Marriott Bonvoy free night award set to expire in the coming weeks.

Here’s an in-depth look at my experience at the property and why you should consider staying there.

Booking The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

One of the most premium cards in my wallet is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, which comes with several incredible perks and benefits.

One of the major selling points of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is the free night award you earn every card anniversary. The free night award gives cardholders a reward night at any hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy (up to 85,000 points).

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A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

95,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$665

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.49%-29.49% 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

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

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Card Highlights

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy^® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy^® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Since my free night award was set to expire soon, I thought Tokyo would be the perfect place to use it. Since it would be for 1 night, I knew I wanted it to be at an over-the-top property.

After some searching, I decided to book The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, one of the city’s most prominent and luxurious hotels.

Whether you pay in cash or stay on points, a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, isn’t cheap. I found standard rooms that could be booked for exactly 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which is what my free night award would cover.

Marriott also allows members to top off free night awards with up to 15,000 more points. However, I wouldn’t need to add any more points, which I considered a win.

I wanted to compare the points price to the actual cash rate — a 1-night stay in a standard room at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, was approximately ¥139,000 (about $965), including taxes and fees.

With high cash prices, this was a fantastic redemption and use of the free night award, courtesy of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

After completing the reservation, I noticed a message stating that I could use a Nightly Upgrade Award to upgrade to a better room. A Nightly Upgrade Award is a 1-night, confirmable upgrade to a premium room or suite.

Once you request to use your Nightly Upgrade Awards for a stay, Marriott begins to search for upgrade availability 3 days before arrival. Since I had a few to use, I thought I might as well try and see if it would go through.

With the Upgrade Request, I had several room options. I selected all of them because it increased my chances of being upgraded to a nicer room.

Although the Nightly Upgrade Award was not approved, I was still hopeful I would get upgraded once I arrived at the hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Location

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, occupies the top 9 floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower in the heart of Roppongi.

Roppongi is Tokyo’s entertainment and nightlife hub, filled with Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury shopping. The area also has many retail and residential spaces, art galleries, museums, and luxury hotels.

The property is within walking distance of several Tokyo tourist attractions, including the Tokyo Tower, Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, The National Art Center, Tokyo, and teamLab Borderless.

Tokyo’s incredible public transportation network also makes it possible to reach popular areas such as Shibuya and Shinjuku in under 20 minutes.

Getting There

The closest subway station to The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, is Roppongi Station, less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Roppongi Station is a stop on both the Hibiya Line and the Toei Oedo Line.

From Haneda Airport (HND) Terminal 3, you can take the Keikyū Airport Line train to Daimon Station and then change to the Toei Oedo Line to Roppongi. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs ¥700 (around $5).

Meanwhile, those arriving at the property from Narita International Airport (NRT) can take the Narita Express or Skyliner to Tokyo Station or Nippori Station, respectively, and then switch to a Tokyo subway line to Roppongi Station. The journey from Narita costs ¥1,500 (around $10).

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide on some of the best Ritz-Carlton properties around the world.

Checking In at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

After arriving at Roppongi Station via the Hibiya subway line, we followed the signs to The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. The property was about a 5-minute walk from the subway station exit.

The hotel had 2 main entrances, and we entered from one of the side ones, connected to the Tokyo Midtown shopping mall. This entrance was best for those coming from Roppongi Station.

The entrance led to a hallway, which opened into a foyer. Nice chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and artwork was across the walls. I could already begin to feel the opulence the hotel offered.

After turning the corner, we found the elevators to the 45th-floor lobby. Even the elevators exuded plenty of luxury.

After about 30 seconds on the elevator, we arrived on the 45th floor. We walked down the small hallway to the large, open-concept lobby.

We proceeded to the hotel check-in counter on the far right side of the lobby. We were greeted by a friendly front desk representative who requested identification and welcomed us to the hotel.

Elite Benefits

I have Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status courtesy of my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, and this bestows several benefits, including an enhanced room upgrade (based on availability), a 4 p.m. late checkout, and an in-hotel welcome gift.

When checking in, the front desk member thanked me for my loyalty to Marriott Bonvoy. She mentioned that the hotel had upgraded us to a Tokyo Deluxe Room on the 49th floor with a view overlooking Shinjuku.

While I was hoping for an upgrade to an Executive Room (so we could have Club Lounge access), that didn’t pan out. Still, I appreciated the upgrade to a nicer room on a higher floor.

The front desk representative also gave us the Marriott Bonvoy Elite Appreciation Gift (aka welcome amenity).

As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I had several options to choose from:

• 1,500 additional Marriott Bonvoy points
• 50% discount on breakfast at Towers for 2 guests (daily)
• ¥3,000 (about $21) food and beverage credit (per stay)
• 10% off on any ESPA spa treatment (daily)

After some thought, I took the ¥3,000 food and beverage credit.

Although we arrived at the property shortly before 11 a.m., the front desk representative told us the room was ready several hours before the hotel’s official check-in time. She then gave us our key cards and directed us to the elevators.

Lobby

After getting our key cards, we explored the hotel lobby. The hotel’s concierge desk was in front of the check-in counters.

A small seating area was directly across the concierge desk, divided into 2 separate sections, each with 2 surprisingly comfortable armchairs. I also admired the massive artwork on the wall above.

Directly to the right of the seating area was the hallway leading to the elevators, which took guests to the ground floor.

To the right of the elevator lobby entrance, an identical seating area featured a similarly large art piece.

Directly across from the second seating area was a small, 2-person couch with side tables and lamps on each side.

To the right of the couch was the entrance to the Lobby Lounge. Many of the hotel’s restaurants were also accessible through the hotel lobby. More on that later.

After walking around the enormous hotel lobby, we headed to our room. Before we could reach the guest floor elevators (which were different from those between the lobby and the ground floor), we noticed this children’s playroom, filled with stuffed animals and various toys.

The hotel’s guest room elevators were further down the hall.

Bottom Line:

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, lobby, was quite large, with an open floor plan and high ceilings. Although it had outdated furniture, it still exuded luxury.

Room

After exiting the elevator on the 49th floor, we followed the signs to room 4927 through a dimly lit hallway. As I entered the room, I saw a large foyer and hallway that led into the living area.

Immediately to the right was a large cabinet with interesting artwork behind it.

On top of the cabinet was glassware, complimentary water bottles, and a Nespresso coffee machine and pods.

The room’s minibar was inside the cabinet. Additional glassware and an ice bucket were included.

The minibar contained a small selection of pay-for-consumption snacks and drinks. However, it had a nice selection of drinks, including juices, sodas, sparkling water, and energy drinks.

As you’d expect, the minibar was extremely overpriced. For example, a can of Coca-Cola was ¥1,300 (about $9).

Walking further down to the main living quarters, I noticed this dehumidifier, which was quite useful in filtering moisture from the air.

The room’s bed was placed in the center against the left wall. It had 4 incredibly thick and comfortable pillows.

The bed’s wooden headboard was a nice design touch. Side tables were on each side of the bed, and an ottoman was at the foot of the bed.

The room’s alarm clock, radio, and desk lamp were on the left table. There were also buttons for turning the reading lights and footlights. The room telephone and lamp were on the right table.

A control panel was also mounted on the side tables, with controls for the various room lights and to open and shut the blinds. “Do Not Disturb” and “Make My Room” controls were also available.

The room’s outdated combination workstation and dining table was directly to the bed’s left. The table featured 2 vintage-style armchairs and another telephone. The chairs were not comfortable, as they did not have proper armrests.

The room’s television was directly across from the bed. The relatively small television was on top of a rather large dresser.

Large closets were on both sides of the television. The closet on the right contained hangers, 2 robes, 2 pairs of slippers, and an extra pillow and bedding.

Meanwhile, the closet on the left contained hangers and a shoeshine kit.

In the far back of the room, toward the windows, was a small seating area with 2 incredibly comfortable armchairs separated by a small table.

The hotel provided a complimentary gift box. I wasn’t entirely sure what would be in it, though I hoped it was something Ritz-Carlton-branded.

The gift box contained various flavors of chocolate cookies, which were absolutely delicious. Although I could not take them home with me as a memory of the hotel stay, I still thoroughly enjoyed them.

The windows had incredible views overlooking the business district of Shinjuku. Although I have been to Tokyo nearly 10 times, I still cannot get over how insanely large the city truly is.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I was very impressed with the room. I loved how spacious it was, considering it wasn’t a suite, and we were in Tokyo, notorious for having relatively small hotel rooms. Some furniture choices were outdated, but the hotel still felt luxurious.

Bathroom

The bathroom was immediately to the left as you walk into the room’s foyer and was among the biggest bathrooms I have ever had in a hotel room.

Walking into the room, I noticed the 2 massive vanities separated by the shower. The vanities featured deep sinks and standard hotel toiletries.

The shower was quite large and contained both an overhead rainfall showerhead and a handheld one. Additionally, a large mirror was inside the shower.

The shower included Philosykos-branded toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Although the toiletries were luxurious, the bottles themselves were not.

The bathroom’s toilet was to the left of the center vanity and was equipped with a bidet, which is almost expected with toilets in Japan.

Lastly, a large soaking tub was on the far left of the bathroom. Although I did not use it myself, my wife found it incredibly relaxing.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I was impressed with the sheer size of the bathroom and how everything was separated. Having 2 separate vanities was nice, as my wife and I could both get ready without getting in each other’s way. I also appreciated how the toilet had a privacy door.

Amenities

As expected with any luxury hotel, The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo, offered several amenities for guests. The spa, fitness center, and indoor swimming pool were on the 46th floor.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Tokyo

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, featured a large 20,000-square-foot luxury spa, appropriately named The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Tokyo. The world-renowned spa was open 24 hours a day.

In addition to the extremely expensive massages and treatments, the spa offered a variety of saunas, showers, and baths for guests to use.

The spa also sold different skin and hair products. Some tester bottles were available, which I took full advantage of.

Swimming Pool

The hotel also boasted a 20-meter indoor swimming pool. The pool area was large, with ample space for guests to swim or relax.

Lounge chairs lined the pool area’s windows, offering incredible views of various parts of Tokyo.

The pool area also contained a large hot tub for up to 10 people to use simultaneously.

Fitness Center

The hotel also featured a fully equipped fitness center that was open 24 hours a day. It was one of the biggest and most complete I had ever seen in a hotel.

There were plenty of cardio machines, including several treadmills.

Other cardio machines included different types of stationary bikes. Interestingly enough, there were no ellipticals.

Two Power Plate vibration plate machines were available. Although I have never used one before, they did look interesting.

An entire section of the fitness center was dedicated to strength training. Equipment included pulldowns, shoulder presses, chest presses, rowing machines, abdominal crunch machines, and torso rotation machines.

A seated leg press machine was also available, which was good as it was leg day for me. I also utilized the seated leg extension machine.

The gym had a good selection of free weights, some as heavy as 30 kilograms (66 pounds), with 2 benches.

Food and Beverage

As expected of a luxury hotel like The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, there were several on-site food and beverage venues, ranging from a small cafe to a few world-class restaurants.

Although we did not eat at any of the restaurants on the property, we looked at the menu at each establishment. Here’s a look at what you can expect at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo.

Club Lounge

The Club Lounge, often considered a defining factor of Ritz-Carlton hotels, was on the 53rd floor. Ritz-Carlton Club Lounges are known for a true luxury hotel experience combining exclusivity and comfort with personalized service and attention to detail.

Guests staying at Club Level rooms have access to the Club Lounge. Marriott Bonvoy Elite status does not provide complimentary access to Ritz-Carlton Club Lounges.

The Club Lounge offered complimentary food and beverage presentations 5 times daily: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and cordials.

We were given the option to upgrade to a Club Level room for ¥51,040 (about $350), but ultimately decided we could better utilize that money elsewhere. I did, however, ask a hotel representative if I could take a look at the Club Lounge to see it.

Several seating areas were available, some near the windows, which offered incredible views.

A dedicated bar had several different types of alcohol.

The Club Lounge is open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Guests below the age of 12 can access the lounge between 7 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily.

Lobby Lounge

As its name indicates, the Lobby Lounge was in the hotel’s lobby. It blended luxury with refined Japanese elegance and was an ideal setting for casual luncheons, dinners, and receptions.

The Lobby Lounge offered an afternoon tea ceremony and signature cocktails in the evening. It also hosted live music events.

The Lobby Lounge featured a diverse menu with inspirations from around the world.

However, afternoon tea was the most popular part of the menu, including several savories, finger sandwiches, and pastries.

The Lobby Lounge is open between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Bar

The bar was next to the Lobby Lounge and paired Tokyo skyline views with shareable plates and an extensive drink menu. It specializes in the fusion of classic Western cocktails with Japanese elements, in addition to wines, sake tastings, and a comprehensive liquor selection.

The Bar has varying hours of operation:

• Monday through Thursday: 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Friday (and days before holidays): 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Hinokizaka

The hotel’s primary Japanese restaurant, Hinokizaka, serves traditional Japanese cuisine. As with many high-end restaurants, Hinokizaka offers distinct food options, including kaiseki, sushi, teppanyaki, and tempura.

The restaurant featured both a set menu and an à la carte menu, with assorted appetizers, different kinds of sashimi, and Japanese wagyu beef.

Each seating area at Hinokizaka offers a unique experience, providing traditional Japanese dining.

Hinokizaka was open daily for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and for dinner between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Héritage by Kei Kobayashi

Héritage by Kei showcased the history of traditional French cuisine with a modern vision. The supervising chef, Kei Kobayashi, trained in top kitchens worldwide before opening his triple-Michelin-starred restaurant KEI in Paris in 2011.

The menu at Héritage by Kei is omakase, meaning the chef selects the dishes, though guests choose the number of dishes they want to try. The restaurant uses high-quality seafood from nearby Toyosu Market.

The restaurant has private, intimate seating, creating an excellent dining experience.

Héritage by Kei Kobayashi was open from Thursday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lunch was available from 12 to 4 p.m., while dinner was served from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Towers

Towers is another French dining experience. The menu features 3- and 4-course meals consisting of appetizers, mains, and selections from the dessert trolley.

Towers was open daily for breakfast between 7 and 10:30 a.m., for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and for dinner between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Café and Deli

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, had a café and deli on the ground floor. The casual café offered light fare, homemade beverages, specialty coffees, pastries, and desserts.

The café also had gift items, including stuffed animals, purses, and travel pouches,

The cafe was relatively small and offered an intimate place to chill out. Despite being in the same building, it felt far away from the rest of the hotel, which was more than 40 floors above.

The cafe and deli was open daily between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In-Room Dining

The Ritz Carlton, Tokyo, also featured a diverse in-room dining menu with an excellent selection of appetizers, salads, soups, and main courses.

Since I had the ¥3,000 (about $21) food and beverage credit (from the welcome amenity I chose during check-in), I thought it would be nice to try food from the hotel. I ordered the spaghetti aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and olive oil) since it was entirely covered by the credit.

After about 20 minutes after ordering, the spaghetti aglio e olio arrived. It consisted of garlic, chili, parsley, and olive oil. It was accompanied by a bread basket and grated cheese. Although the presentation was somewhat lacking, the food was absolutely delicious.

Service

Although I did not interact with the hotel staff often, I found them all courteous and respectful, which we expected at a luxury hotel in Japan. The staff provided genuine hospitality and were there to answer any and all questions and requests without hesitation.

I particularly enjoyed how staff members greeted us by name, bowed, and escorted us wherever we needed to go. This level of dedication is the epitome of Japanese cordiality. I also appreciated how the staff acknowledged that my wife and I were on our honeymoon.

The hotel staff placed a complimentary box of cookies in our room prior to our arrival and also provided us with delicious complimentary chocolates. I always appreciate these little acts of service, as they differentiate good hospitality from great hospitality.

Final Thoughts

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, is among the best hotels in Tokyo. It is well-located and has spacious guest rooms offering great views. The hotel also offers a plethora of world-class on-site dining, incredible Japanese hospitality and service, and the famous Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge.

Staying at luxury hotels is a lot of fun, and I am glad I finally got to experience a night here. Best of all, I redeemed a free night award courtesy of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

I would absolutely consider staying here again. However, I like having new experiences, so a part of me wants to stay at other luxury properties in Tokyo, as I did with Conrad Tokyo, to see how they compare.