Like the food in Tokyo, there are endless high and low options of where to stay to sleep/shower/rest/repeat. Since our trip started and ended with a few days in Tokyo, we got to try out a variety of areas in the city (Shibuya, Roppongi, and Marunouchi) that was close to the sites we wanted to visit and the restaurants we wanted to eat at, and hands down, my favorite was our lovely stay at Candeo Roppongi.
The view from our room at Candeo Roppongi. Hello, Tokyo Tower.
You know I love a little luxe without the luxe price tag and Candeo Hotel in Roppongi perfectly satisfied that - super new and clean facilities, comfy beds, and exceptional customer service. We stayed at an executive twin room between the three of us and the average cost per person, per night was about $90. The room, in typical Japanese fashion, is considerably smaller than most western hotels but you get all the comfy amenities: fancy Japanese toilet and toiletries, silk PJs, full-size bath, and generous heat (which can be tricky to operate if you're at an airbnb and don't know how to read Japanese characters) that was amazing since the early spring weather was still a bit chilly.
The glamorous entrance from street-level
Location-wise, Roppongi also worked really well for us because it was just around the corner from the Roppongi subway station (just a 4min walk) but not crowded at all (in case you're looking for respite from crazy Shibuya) even though it's so close and walkable to many of Tokyo's incredible restaurants like Joumon Roppongi (2min walk), Savoy (7min walk), Hashida Honten (8min walk), Nishiazabu Gogyo (12min walk) and Sushi Saito (12min walk). Roppongi Hills, home to Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View (and tons more shops and eats) is also only an 8min walk away.
Indoor bath and showers at Candeo Roppongi's SkySpa
Surprise, surprise, my favorite part about our stay was the rooftop SkySpa where you could soak in the indoor or outdoor baths (women and men baths are in separate areas). We walked about 20,000 steps a day, so this was necessary for our sore feet and muscles. The best was the first night that I went up to the baths, there was no one there - the other times there was maybe 1 or 2 other women there, but by then, I couldn't care less anymore about being in public in my birthday suit! Yes, it is Japanese onsen rules to be completely naked (and clean) in the baths.
Outdoor bath at the SkySpa (note that there are usually frosted shades that go halfway up the windows)
Breakfast buffet at Candeo Roppongi
I love a good breakfast buffet because I always want a little bit of everything and the one at Candeo is pretty stellar. Western breakfasts (i.e. eggs and toast, cereal, etc.) can be hard to find in Japan so if you're looking for a break from early morning rice and pickles, this is perfect.
For the fellow lovers of spreads and dips
Fresh honeycomb
My breakfast pickings - smoked salmon salad, potato salad, pickled rainbow radish and cucumber salad, bacon, and scrambled eggs
Fresh tofu with honeycomb for a little sweet finish
Thank you to Candeo Roppongi for such a welcoming and relaxing stay.
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