Aloft by Marriott Tokyo Ginza

The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout my stay, which made it even more enjoyable. I had a standard twin room with a city view. It was comfortable and spacious by Tokyo standards, though nearby buildings blocked much of the view, so it wasn’t especially memorable. Aloft Tokyo Ginza is very central, just a short walk from Ginza Station, and handy for getting around. I really enjoyed my stay and would definitely consider coming back to Tokyo.

I’d asked for a suite upgrade, but there wasn’t one available during my visit. Even so, this was my first time using points to stay here, and I could see why it gets better reviews than the other Marriott properties nearby. I’d stayed at the Courtyard before, and found it decent but pretty standard. The room was about the same size as the others, on the small side, but the design stood out. Details like the sofa and the look of the room and lobby felt more considered and refined. Breakfast didn’t have a huge range, though the Japanese dishes were a nice change from the more Western-style hotel options. The onigiri station was especially charming. The live band performance was another highlight and added a nice atmosphere.

The staff were really helpful and polite, and housekeeping did a great job. I’d happily stay here again. It’s a three-star hotel that feels closer to a four. The rooms are small, but for a major city they’re quite spacious, and the space is used well, with lots of hangers and somewhere to put your luggage. The bed was super comfortable, and the sheets were amazing. That shower was insane. After a 16-hour flight, the steam brought me back to life. I was always glad to get back to it. My Marriott level gets me free breakfast, so I can’t comment on the price, but the quality was great. There was lots for everyone. We ate there six days in a row and only started getting a little tired of it on the last morning. For a two or three day stay, I’d be surprised if you ate the same thing twice.

Aloft has a good sized room, and I preferred the extra space to having a bathtub, especially since the Ginza strip is popular for shopping. The mattress was softer than I like, though the pillows were great, with two options provided. Breakfast has limited choices, and there’s no dedicated drop-off area or car park. There’s also no bathtub, which isn’t unusual for hotels in Japan. The staff, from reception to the breakfast servers, were amazing. They were polite and patient, and catered to every request despite the language barrier. You’re right in the middle of Ginza, as the hotel name suggests, with Ginza and Higashi-Ginza stations nearby, including access to the Hibiya line. A Lawson next door sells essentials, though it isn’t open 24 hours. A block away there are lots of shops and places to eat, including several department stores. There are better value hotels in the area, but I’d choose Aloft for a trip where shopping, sightseeing and convenience matter.