Roppongi Hotel S

Rooms and decor

Roppongi Hotel S is a small 84-room design boutique hidden in one of the busiest parts of Tokyo, just 4 minutes' walk from Roppongi station. The building is modest and the exterior is clean and understated; the lobby is compact but tastefully done, with a dark palette, contemporary art and soft lighting. What sets it apart is the concept room idea — no two rooms are alike, each designed around its own theme. The Concept Room runs about $185 a night at 26 sqm; reviewers describe one that leans on natural light and a relaxed feel, with wide windows, warm-toned walls and a Queen bed at 160×200 cm. There is a little sitting corner with a design chair, and the highlight is a large bathtub set up as the centrepiece of the room. The bathroom is modern, with a rain shower, a Toto Washlet and organic-brand toiletries. Because these are concept rooms, they vary a lot, so it is worth checking the photos of your exact room before booking. At 26 sqm it is comfortable for two.

Food and amenities

This is a small hotel, but the in-house restaurant and bar have a good atmosphere. Reviews describe heading down to the bar for a cocktail at around $10 before going out for the night — the bar is relaxed and a good place to start the evening. Dinner at the in-house restaurant focuses on freshly cooked food, with mains running $17 to $27. Because you are in the middle of Roppongi, there are plenty of restaurants to walk to as well — ramen, izakaya and international spots. Breakfast is served as a set for about $12, with basic Japanese and Western options that suit the boutique scale and style. Note there is no spa, pool or full fitness centre here.

Location and getting there

Roppongi Hotel S sits right in the centre of Roppongi, a 4-minute walk to Roppongi station on the Hibiya and Oedo lines. The streets around it are the nightlife district, full of bars, clubs and late-night restaurants. On foot it is 8 minutes to Roppongi Hills and the Mori Art Museum, 7 minutes to the National Art Center Tokyo and 9 minutes to Tokyo Midtown — the whole Roppongi Art Triangle within walking distance. The Hibiya line runs to Ginza in 8 minutes and the Oedo line to Shinjuku in 10 minutes. For getting around on foot, this is one of the best-placed hotels of the group.

Things to know before booking

This is a small boutique, so the facilities are more limited than the big hotels in the area — there is no spa, no pool and no full fitness centre. The concept rooms also differ a great deal from one to the next, so check the photos of the specific room you will get before you book; reviewers describe one built around a large bathtub, but others lean different ways. And while a central Roppongi address is great for walking out into the action, the same streets are the nightlife district.

Our take

Roppongi Hotel S is the pick for couples and design-minded travelers who want a boutique with real character at a mid-price rate. The concept rooms are designed differently in every room, the location is central Roppongi with a 4-minute walk to the station, the full Roppongi Art Triangle is within walking distance, and there is a restaurant and bar in the building. It scores 8.6/10, and at about $185 a night it is good value for a design hotel in the middle of an upscale district. We would steer it toward travelers who value design and location more than a full set of facilities, and who plan to be out enjoying Roppongi.