I don't ask much from a place to stay; a bed, a roof and a shower is all I really need, but sometimes (increasingly often as I get older) it's nice to treat myself a bit. So one time when I stayed in Tokyo, instead of the capsule hotels or business hotels I often stay at, I went for (trendy lower-case name alert) 'the b Roppongi', one of a small chain of boutique hotels.
The location really couldn't be more central. It's just a minute's walk to Roppongi crossing and the Hibya line subway station, and just a few minutes to the Oedo line station and Nogizaka station, giving easy access to the rest of the city. Also within easy walking distance are the upscale developments of Midtown and Roppongi Hills, landmark art museums like the Mori Art Museum and National Art Center, interesting arts venues such as The Pink Cow and SuperDeluxe, as well as scores of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs.
I checked in perfectly smoothly, then my room drew a 'Wow' from me as soon as I stepped in. It was light and very spacious, much more than I'd expected, with stylish, simple twin beds at one end, and a little seating area where I could sit on a comfortable little couch to watch the sumo on my TV. Small touches like the automatic light in the closet made me feel well looked after, and after a refreshing shower in the well-appointed bathroom, I had a full-length mirror to use to make sure I was ready and sharp for my night out.
Elsewhere in the hotel there's a PC in the lobby for guests to use, as well as rental laptops, and free Wi-Fi throughout. English speakers are well catered for, as some of the staff have very good English ability, the selection of newspapers to browse in the lobby includes The Japan Times, and there's a shelf of information such as maps and tourist guides. There's also a laundry room with washers and dryers, and vending machines for drinks and snacks.
The buffet breakfast was served in the relaxed dining room, decorated with posters of movies and icons. There was a good spread of both western and Japanese food - sausage, eggs and bacon; fish, rice, pickles and salad; toast, bread rolls, butter and jam - many of the more Japanese items labeled in English for visitors to try out.
There are single, double and twin rooms available, of different grades, with a bewildering range of different packages; you can include gift cards, an aroma bath, a face pack 'to look like a Kabuki actor', or you can choose a ladies package and 'enjoy your stay with nine aroma amenities'. The cost depends on all these factors, and I imagine also the season, but you can likely expect to pay something like ¥11000 to ¥14000 to stay by yourself, or between ¥17000 and ¥24000 for a twin or double.
