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Imperial Hotel TokyovsRyokan Sawanoya
Both hotels are recommended by those who travel for a living. On balance, Imperial Hotel Tokyo is the choice of most writers compared to Ryokan Sawanoya. Imperial Hotel Tokyo comes in at 90 with praise from 16 sources such as Oyster, The Telegraph and Frommer's.
Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Concierge
Fodor's
Michelin Guide
DK Eyewitness
Time Out
Star Service
Condé Nast Traveler
Oyster
Travel + Leisure
Forbes Travel Guide Show All Reviews
1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture 100-8558
From $430/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
Concierge "The Imperial prides itself on its high standard of service, and is responding to the influx of foreign chains with a complete overhaul that will be finished by 2008."
Fodor's "Though not as fashionable or as spanking new as its neighbor, the Peninsula, the venerable Imperial can't be beat for traditional elegance." Full review
Michelin Guide "This hotel has been hosting overseas dignitaries since 1890 and its history reflects the ebb and flow of Japan’s modernisation."
DK Eyewitness "With a history dating from the 1890s, the Imperial Hotel enjoys unimpeachable credentials."
Time Out "This 1970 tower block-style building replaced the glorious 1923 Frank Lloyd Wright creation that famously survived the Great Kanto Earthquake on its opening day." Full review
Star Service "The historic look is synonymous with the role the hotel has played in hosting dignitaries and important functions over the years, and locals revere its refined patina as a symbol of great pride." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The Imperial Hotel makes the most of its history (daily tea ceremonies for a start) -- while also offering 21st century efficiency convenient to public transportation and shopping." Full review
OysterLuxury
"A massive upscale property located in Hibiya . . . expanded to include two towers and a number of amenities including an indoor pool, spa and salon, and on-site child care." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Legendary 119-year-old hotel with excellent business facilities (including one of Japan's largest executive service centers) in a prime location near the Imperial Palace, Ginza, and Hibiya Park." Full review
Forbes Travel Guide 4 Stars
"A Japanese institution, Imperial Hotel, Tokyo is as close as it gets to a historic property in a city that constantly reinvents itself, even despite the hotel’s several reincarnations." Full review
i
It was first built in 1890 at the request of the Imperial government to cater to Western visitors.
Ryokan Sawanoya
Rough Guide Fodor's
Lonely Planet DK Eyewitness Time Out
The Telegraph
Frommer's
2-3-11 Yanaka, Taito, Tokyo Prefecture 110-0001
From $0/night
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Laundry Service
- Laundy Room
- Multilingual
- Air Conditioning
Rough Guide "Though nothing fancy, it offers good-value tatami rooms."
Fodor's "The shitamachi area is known for its down-to-earth friendliness, which you get in full measure at Sawanoya.... it is very popular with budget travelers." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"The Sawanoya is a budget gem in quiet Yanaka, with very friendly staff and all the traditional hospitality you would expect of a ryokan." Full review
DK Eyewitness "A great place to meet fellow travelers, this long-established ryokan is popular with foreign guests."
Time Out "One of the few ryokan in Tokyo to cater almost exclusively for foreign visitors, Sawanoya has a small library of English-language guidebooks and provides its own map of the old-fashioned Yanaka area." Full review
The Telegraph8.0
"One of Tokyo’s most charming family-run traditional ryokan inns – clean, friendly, comfortable and quintessentially Japanese." Full review
Frommer's "This is a great place to stay thanks to Sawa-san's enthusiastic devotion to his neighborhood... Highly recommended." Full review
