Review: The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo | Frugal Flyer

During my visit to Tokyo, I had several Free Night Awards and Nightly Upgrade Awards to use before the year ended, so I did some hotel hopping throughout the city. My first stop was The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo.

As one of the city’s more prominent luxury hotels, and after hearing plenty of positive feedback, it felt like an ideal place to redeem both a Free Night Award and a Nightly Upgrade Award.

Although the property is a bit dated and will likely benefit from a refresh in the coming years, I left thoroughly impressed by the hotel and by the consistently high level of service throughout my stay.

Booking

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is one of the more expensive hotels in the city. Whether you pay with cash or points, it will cost a hefty sum. Nightly cash rates typically start in the low ¥100,000 range (CA$880) and can climb to ¥200,000 (CA$1,757) during peak periods.

For my stay, I redeemed a Marriott Bonvoy 85,000-point Free Night Award I earned by holding the U.S.-issued American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card and managed to find a date priced at exactly 85,000 points. I was thrilled that I did not need to top up my free night with any additional points.

However, it appears the property has recently adjusted its award pricing. I no longer see any nights for the next year available for under 100,000 points, which suggests the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo may now fall outside the reach of an 85,000-point Free Night Award.

I’ve found a 85,000-point Free Night Award to rarely provide good value in North America, where Marriott award pricing is heavily inflated. In contrast, redeeming this free night in Asia has easily delivered far greater value. By being strategic about where to redeem these awards, I consistently achieve value that significantly exceeds the card’s US$650 annual fee.

If you want to learn more about obtaining U.S. credit cards as a Canadian, we have a complete guide covering all of the details and a full episode of our Miles Ahead Podcast dedicated to the topic of U.S. credit cards. 

Check-in

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo has two guest entrances. The first is a ground-level entrance that guests can use when arriving by car.

The second entrance is on the mall level of the complex and provides the most direct access to the building from Roppongi Station.

I entered through the main vehicle entrance and was promptly greeted by a member of the staff who escorted me to a bank of elevators that would take me up to the lobby on the 45th floor.

The main lobby is a spacious open area with a water feature on the left and the check-in desks on the right. I was once again welcomed by a staff member who guided me to the reception desk to complete my check-in.

The rest of the lobby floor features several seating areas, along with The Lobby Lounge & Bar, and provides access to the hotel’s restaurants.

I had a few Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards to use before they expired, so I applied one to my stay at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. A few days before my arrival, I received confirmation that the upgrade had cleared. During check-in, the agent confirmed that I had been upgraded to a Carlton Suite for my stay.

I tend to avoid Ritz-Carlton properties, as the brand is notoriously stingy when it comes to recognizing elite benefits. Room upgrades are often limited, and elite members typically don’t receive complimentary breakfast or lounge access. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the front desk agent informed me that, as a Titanium Elite member, I would receive a complimentary breakfast and an additional 2,000 Bonvoy points as an appreciation for my loyalty. This is highly unusual for the brand, and The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is one of the very few Ritz-Carlton properties that extend these benefits to elite members.

Elite members still don’t receive complimentary lounge access. The front desk agent offered lounge access for purchase at check-in. The quoted rate was ¥25,520 (CA$222) per night. I declined, as I did not expect to spend enough time at the hotel to take advantage of the lounge facilities.

Finally, I requested a late checkout, which was granted without hesitation. Overall, this is one of the best Ritz-Carlton properties I’ve stayed at in regards to elite benefits.

Location

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is located in the Roppongi district and occupies the top floors of the Tokyo Midtown Tower complex. Tokyo Midtown is a mixed-use development featuring offices, residences, retail, hotels, and leisure facilities. The hotel occupies the main tower, the second tallest building in Tokyo.

Below the tower, the five-story Galeria Mall offers hundreds of shops, restaurants, and commercial spaces, providing convenient access to shopping and dining.

Roppongi district is in central Tokyo, making for an ideal home base while in the city. Within the Roppongi area, you’ll find a mix of shopping, restaurants, office and residential buildings, and several of the most popular galleries and museums in Tokyo.

Directly connected to Tokyo Midtown complex is Roppongi Station which serves both the Tokyo Metro Hibiya and Toei Oedo Line.

Getting to the hotel from either Tokyo–Narita (NRT) or Tokyo–Haneda (HND) is easy and cost-effective by taking an express train from Narita or local train from Haneda, though both routes require at least one train and line change along the way.

Travel time by train to or from Narita International Airport (NRT) is likely to take an hour and a half, and travel time to Haneda Airport (HND) is roughly to 30 minutes.

Parking

On-Site parking is available at  ¥800 per hour, up to a maximum overnight charge of ¥8,000.

Room – 1 King Carlton Suite

Stepping into the suite, you enter the living room, furnished with a loveseat, sofa, and armchair. Natural light floods the space through the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting the spectacular views from the 47th floor, which become even more impressive from the bedroom.

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo underwent its last renovation in 2015. While a decade isn’t overly long, the furnishings look older than their age suggests. The furniture is in excellent condition and is clearly well maintained, but the overall style and decor have quickly fallen out of trend, giving the suite a very dated appearance.

A welcome amenity of a box of Japanese snacks was placed on the coffee table before my arrival.

Immediately to the left of the entry door was the minibar cabinet, stocked with bottled water, a Nespresso machine, and a selection of complimentary Nespresso pods. Inside the cabinet was some glassware and a mini fridge filled with soda, juice, beer, and wine.

Beside the minbar cabinet was a large coatroom.

A wall-mounted flatscreen TV is placed rather awkwardly in the corner beside the entry door. This placement resulted in the screen being far off to the side, making for quite a poor viewing angle from the seating area, though the room’s layout left little alternative for its placement.

The final element to the living room was a desk area and a couple of chairs. The desk had several built-in charging outlets, though the chairs aren’t really suitable enough for long periods of sitting. 

A double-sided walk-in closet area separates the living room from the bedroom and includes two large wardrobes and a dresser.

The closet area offers ample room for a couple of suitcases and plenty of hanging space for clothes. The room includes thoughtful amenities such as an iron and clothing steamer, two robes, a pair of slippers, and shoe care accessories.

In one of the drawers is a couple of sets of pajamas embroidered with the Ritz-Carlton logo.

Across from the closet area, the bathroom features dual vanity sinks, an enclosed toilet, a walk-in shower, and a bathtub.

I didn’t mind the distinctly old-school aesthetic, though it’s immediately apparent from the bathroom fixtures any refurbishment that had been completed previously was only surface level and very little was actually replaced. However, everything is spotless and in excellent condition, with all the essentials provided, but the layout and style unmistakably belong to a past period.

The toilet is enclosed in frosted glass and, as is standard in luxury Japanese properties, comes equipped with a bidet function.

A large soaking tub was set into a nook on the right side of the bathroom.

The walk-in shower features a wall-mounted showerhead alongside an overhead rainfall shower.

Some additional bath accessories are provided and toiletries are supplied by Diptyque.

The bedroom is enormous, offering plenty of floor space. It features a king-sized bed, a pair of armchairs near the windows, and a dresser with a flatscreen TV on top.

This corner-unit room features wraparound windows that provide plenty of natural light and offer sweeping panoramic views of the city.

The king-sized bed is flanked by two nightstands and a small bench at its foot. I liked the detailed wooden headboard, which added a bit of visual interest to what I thought was an otherwise bland bedroom design.

Built into the nightstand was a control panel that could be used to operate all of the lighting in the room as well as open and close the power-assisted drapes. 

Views from the room were outstanding. As the Tokyo Midtown Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo, I had an almost unlimited view of the surrounding cityscape.

Once night fell, the lights of the city were spectacular. From this elevated vantage point on a clear night provides almost unlimited visibility and a great sense of how impossibly massive Tokyo is.

If I had to nitpick one aspect of the room, it would be that its size creates a surprising amount of empty and unused space. While I’m never going to complain about a large suite, long stretches of wall space have been left completely bare, and the layout makes the room feel unnecessarily oversized. It almost appears as though no one quite knew how to fill the space effectively, which leaves it looking a bit bland. The bedroom, in particular, suffers from many empty corners and flat walls, which is slightly disappointing for a Ritz-Carlton.

Despite the aging decor, the rooms are still very comfortable and well equipped for a pleasant stay. While I do think a renovation is in order, the guest rooms still offer plenty of positives to enjoy. Ultimately, the guest rooms do fall short compared with other top-tier Ritz-Carlton properties, such as The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, which executes the brand’s signature luxury and style far better.

Restaurants & Bars

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo features four full-service restaurants, a lobby bar, and a quick-service cafe & deli.

Towers – Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite Complimentary Breakfast

Breakfast is served each morning in Towers Restaurant from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM. I was pleased that I would be able to enjoy a complimentary Ritz-Carlton breakfast thanks to my Titanium status. Remember that this perk applies only to Titanium Elite members and above, as the usual Platinum status doesn’t qualify. The cost for those who do not have breakfast included in their stay is ¥6,500 (CA$57) per person.

Breakfast at Towers includes a full buffet plus guests may order one main dish from the menu. Coffee, tea, and juice are also available. 

The buffet offers a solid mix of Western and Japanese cuisine, with all the usual staples like pastries, fruit, yogurt, meats, cheeses, and salads, plus a good variety of Japanese dishes including noodles, sushi rolls, and tofu options.

I ordered the Towers Omelette, and it arrived perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Overall, enjoying a complimentary breakfast at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is a rare treat, and the property deserves full praise for recognizing elite members by extending benefits that elevate the stay.

Other Food & Beverage at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

I did not have the opportunity to visit the other restaurants on the property. However, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo features several highly acclaimed dining establishments, including a Michelin-starred French restaurant.

• Héritage by Kei Kobayashi – French restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Awarded a Michelin Star in 2026. You can learn more and book reservations at the Héritage by Kei website.

• Hinokizaka – Japanese restaurant serving traditional and contemporary cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner. You can view the menu and make reservations at the Hinokizaka website. 

• The Lobby Lounge & Bar – Relaxed lounge to enjoy a midday afternoon tea or unwind in the evening with cocktails and live music. You can view the menu for The Lobby Lounge and The Lobby Bar on their respective websites. 

• The Ritz-Carlton Café & Deli – Casual cafe located on the mall-level of Tokyo Midtown serving specialty coffees, pastries, and desserts. You can view the menu and order takeout directly on the The Ritz-Carlton Café & Deli website. 

Facilities

The Ritz-Carlton properties are known for excellent guest facilities, and as expected The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo has several amenities available for use. The hotel devotes its entire 46th floor to amenities, including a fitness center, a spa, and an indoor swimming pool.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is outfitted with nearly every piece of equipment needed for a solid workout. It features about a dozen strength machines, including shoulder presses, chest presses, leg curls, pulldowns, and more. A well-designed free weight area rounds things out, with several benches and a Smith machine.

Also available are plenty of cardio machines including treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes lined up along the windows. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day.

Pool

The hotel offers an indoor lap pool for guests, along with a jacuzzi tub in the same area. Around a dozen loungers surround the pool, providing plenty of space to relax.

Spa

I spent a bit of time in the spa and enjoyed both the steam room and the sauna. Guests who book a treatment may also access a variety of baths and specialty showers as part of their treatment.

The spa enforces a strict no photos policy, so I unfortunately don’t have any pictures to share. Though I can say it was one of the more relaxing and beautifully designed spa settings I have visited in a city hotel.

You can find more details about The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo Spa facilities and browse the full treatment menu on the spa’s website.

Conclusion

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo has a lot going for it. The hotel is in a prime spot in the heart of Roppongi with easy access to transit, which makes getting around the city simple. The dining venues are great, and every interaction I had with the staff reflects the thoughtful, polished service Japan does so well. I especially appreciate that the hotel extends complimentary breakfast to Titanium Elite members.

The main downside is that the public spaces, and especially the guest rooms, are in need of a refresh sooner rather than later. While this didn’t significantly detract from my stay, and I think the hotel is an ideal spot for a stay in Tokyo, it’s something to be aware of if considering a stay here.

With the high nightly cash rates, redeeming points can offer solid value. If you find award availability under 100,000 points per night and can use an 85,000-point Free Night Award, this property is among the better redemption options in Japan.