Hotel Niwa Tokyo

We spent three days here soaking up a bit of luxury and loved it. It cost more than we usually spend, but felt like excellent value. The rooms are spacious and blend modern convenience with Japanese aesthetics, and the wooden bath was a treat. Both Western and Japanese restaurants, along with the breakfast options, were first class. Service was exemplary. The staff knew their stuff and helped us find shops carrying very rare crafts from Kanazawa. There are lovely gardens on the ground floor and rooftop, plus a great relaxation room with a library of books on bonsai and ikebana. It’s a lovely hotel near Suidobashi station in Tokyo.

We found it peaceful here, and a nice place to begin learning how to get around Japanese culture if, like us, it’s your first visit. Our first few days were easy too, with three kombinis, a pharmacy, shopping, two train stations, and plenty more within a ten-minute walk. We stopped at the kombinis and pharmacy every day for the first three days, and the location suited our pace. The garden and landscaping outside are gorgeous and relaxing. If you can get a seat with a view of the garden while eating, it’s easy to forget your food. We only had breakfast at the main restaurant, but it was phenomenal, with a mix of Japanese and Western options. It wasn’t expensive, and even if it had been, it would’ve been worth it. Hotel Niwa was our first stop in Tokyo, and we were so impressed. The staff were helpful with everything we needed. They handled deliveries we’d arranged from America and even let us leave things for friends to pick up later. Many staff speak English fluently or well enough to answer questions. The cozy, clean rooms are classic Japanese size, which didn’t bother us. The beds and PJs were comfortable too.

The water and filtered light make the courtyard feel especially peaceful, even though it’s right in the middle of Tokyo. I stumbled across it while walking nearby. A large tree sits under a wooden pergola, with greenery and water giving the small space a calm, intimate feel. It’s a thoughtful little pause in the city, and it left a strong impression without needing to be grand or famous.

The worst part was having to leave around 11pm and find somewhere else to stay on our own. No one offered to help arrange anything. Booking.com did resolve the issue quickly for us later, but the hotel’s response that night was disappointing and showed little care or responsibility. We wouldn’t recommend staying here. A few hours after check-in, around 10pm, we were already in bed when we saw a bed bug crawling on the sheets. We told reception, and they said they couldn’t confirm it was a bed bug, though it clearly was. I could attach pictures, but I’ll spare everyone. They did offer us another room or a refund, and we appreciate that. Still, there was no acknowledgement or apology. Finding a bed bug late at night is stressful and concerning, and we expected at least some apology or help. I hate leaving bad reviews, and the hotel generally seemed nice, which made the experience all the more disappointing.