I’ve always assumed that visiting Tokyo would be ridiculously expensive – a notion likely rooted in my 90s childhood when the yen was incredibly strong. But today, a weak yen has made Japan surprisingly affordable for overseas visitors. So when Yotel invited Metro to review their Ginza property, promising budget-friendly luxury, I jumped at the chance.
First Impressions
After a 14-hour flight, the glass-fronted Yotel Ginza was a welcome sight. The modern reception buzzed with polite staff and manager Ken, all genuinely thrilled to meet us. After quick pleasantries (staff spoke excellent English), we received our keys and headed to the lift.
The Rooms
Online reviews warned the rooms were small – and yes, you wouldn’t play hide and seek. But for a city break in Tokyo, who stays in? The room was clean, compact, and cosy, with a powerful shower, decent TV, comfy robe, and all essentials. The bed felt like being hugged by a cloud, and the high-tech control panel let me adjust lights without getting up. The real star, though, was the toilet: heated seat, built-in bidet, and white noise to mask any sounds – an impressive piece of kit.
Food and Drink
Breakfast at Komyuniti bar offered a mix of local and Western dishes. I often stuck to classics like cereals and pastries, but adventurous eaters could try miso soup, fish, and rice. Lunch and dinner menus were reasonably priced: burger and chips for £16, Wagyu beef curry for £8.44, and an exquisite afternoon tea. The chips (£4.50) were a lifesaver after a night out. Cocktails shone – Old Fashioneds, Margaritas, Cosmos – and Asahi was on tap. Outside bars were cheaper (beer ~£4.70, cocktails ~£7), but still reasonable compared to London. Best of all: daily happy hour 5-7pm with buy-one-get-one-free drinks.
Facilities
Facilities are limited by design, assuming guests will explore Tokyo. The 24-hour gym has basic equipment. The coolest feature: silver and pink room service robots, Tomo and Aibo. These R2-D2-like machines deliver food to your room, politely asking you to move if you block their path. Automated check-in robots can escort you to your room, though we didn’t see that.
Location
The Yotel Ginza’s location is unbeatable: a 30-minute drive from Haneda Airport, in the heart of Tokyo’s premier shopping district. Surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants, and late-night bars, it also offers cultural spots like Kabuki-za Theatre and Hamarikyu Gardens, both a short walk away. A Don Quixote store two minutes away saved me when I forgot souvenirs. Ginza and Shimbashi stations are close for exploring further afield.
Cost
Yotel Ginza has eight room categories. The Queen Room I stayed in costs around £127 per night, while the Premium Family Room (sleeps four) is about £386. With Tokyo hotels averaging £120-£180, this is reasonably priced for the service.
The Verdict
Yotel Ginza is exactly what a city-break hotel should be: stylish, comfortable, and perfectly located. Rooms are compact but not claustrophobic, and for exploring Tokyo, I can’t think of a better place to stay, especially at this price.
