ANA InterContinental Tokyo

Rooms and decor

The ANA InterContinental Tokyo is a huge 5-star — 844 rooms across 37 floors at ARK Hills, a 4-minute walk from Tameike-Sanno station via exit 13. The lobby is all big crystal chandeliers and carefully arranged fresh flowers. The building opened in 1986 but the rooms and common areas have been renovated, and it keeps a classic grand-hotel poise that newer hotels rarely match. The Superior Room on the Tokyo Tower side runs about $345 a night at 36 sqm, done in a classic beige-and-gold scheme after the refresh. There is a King bed at 200×200 cm, a sofa by the window, and a wide work desk with plenty of plugs. The 6 sqm marble bathroom has a separate tub, a rain shower, a Toto Washlet, and Agraria toiletries, and there is a kettle with free tea and coffee. The window frames Tokyo Tower glowing orange after dark — a classic city view — and the room stays dead quiet despite the central setting.

Food and amenities

The move here is to upgrade to Club InterContinental. The lounge sits on an upper floor with Tokyo Tower full in the frame and runs five food services a day, from breakfast through afternoon tea to evening cocktails and canapes — enough to stand in for dinner. Beyond that, the hotel has 11 restaurants and bars: the Michelin-starred French Pierre Gagnaire, the Chinese Karin, the Japanese Hanasanshou, and MIXX Bar & Lounge on floor 36. Head up there for a sunset cocktail (about $17) and you get the city in every direction. The breakfast buffet at The Steak House runs around $37 with a full international spread. There is also an outdoor summer pool — rare in central Tokyo — alongside year-round indoor fitness.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits at ARK Hills, the complex between Roppongi and Toranomon, with the renowned classical concert venue Suntory Hall right next door. The closest stations are Tameike-Sanno on the Ginza and Namboku Line (a 4-minute walk) and Roppongi-Itchome (5 minutes). From here it is a 12-minute walk, or one stop, to Roppongi station itself, and an 8-minute walk through ARK Hills park to Tokyo Tower. The Ginza Line runs straight to Ginza in 7 minutes, so you are well connected on both the Roppongi and Toranomon sides.

Things to know before booking

The building dates to 1986, so it reads older than the newer Andaz or Edition even with the renovated rooms. At 844 rooms it is a big operation, and check-in and the lifts can back up in high season despite the multiple counters. And while the address is convenient, it is a 12-minute walk to Roppongi station proper — it leans closer to Tameike-Sanno, so it sits a little apart from the Roppongi buzz.

Our take

The ANA InterContinental is the best value of the Roppongi-area 5-stars. It is a large, fully kitted-out grand hotel — 844 rooms, 11 restaurants and bars including the Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire, a Club lounge with Tokyo Tower views, and an outdoor summer pool — and it scores 9.0/10. From about $340 a night it comes in well under the Ritz-Carlton and Grand Hyatt for a comparable experience. We would point families and business travelers here when they want the completeness of a grand hotel on a sensible budget.