Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel

This hotel occupies much of the upper part of the 40-story Cerulean Tower, the tallest building in the Shibuya area (the rest of the building is a mix of offices and residences on floor 38). The lobby here is particularly grand, if dark, with tall ceilings and gray marble pillars paired with dark screen-style framing. A similar aesthetic is found up on the top-floor Bar Bellovisto, which is known for its panoramic vistas. Other common areas, including the third-floor fitness center and the second-floor restaurants and bars, also offer good views despite being on a much lower level, as do the vast majority of rooms, which occupy floors 19 to 37. The hotel was most recently renovated in 2012. The vibe is busy during the day, with business travelers, tourists, and conference attendees. In the evening, guests and non-guests alike mingle in the hotel’s coveted bars and restaurants, keeping the atmosphere lively. The Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel is certainly one of the snazzier places to stay in the area and rooms here don't come cheap, so most guests are well-heeled tourists or business travelers from Japan or abroad. 

Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel is situated directly on Tamagawa Dori, a main thoroughfare running through the center of Tokyo. The hotel is a five-minute walk from famous Shibuya Station, in a busy part of the city that's full of shops, restaurants, and other hotels. It's easy to get to area attractions here using public transportation; for example, Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace Gardens take about half an hour to reach, while Ueno Park and the Senso-ji Temple are each 45 minutes away. Haneda Airport can be reached in as little as 45 minutes on the Haneda-Airport Limousine Bus or 25 minutes by car, while Narita International Airport takes 90 minutes to get to using public transportation or one hour by taxi.

This hotel offers dozens of room types, many of which come in non-smoking and smoking options. All rooms are located on or above the 19th floor and the vast majority of them have great views out over the city. While configurations and sizes vary dramatically, most follow a similarly bland and uninspired decor scheme, with simple maroon-colored carpeting, light-wood furniture, and white beds with gray or taupe runners and dark-gray accent cushions. Soft furnishings with purple or navy upholstery add a touch of color, but the overall feel is rather bland for an upscale hotel. Large windows let in lots of light, while heavy blackout drapes can be pulled to keep it out. The use of bedside lamps rather than harsh overhead lights adds a softness to the spaces. Standard amenities found across categories include free Wi-Fi, smallish flat-screen TVs, bottled water, minibars, electric kettles, air purifiers, and large safes. Each room has its own thermostat for controlling the heating and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are swish, with dark marble walls and countertops, bidet toilets, and a huge variety of toiletries. Most have shower/tub combos, though some higher categories have separate walk-in showers and deep soaking tubs (some with windows that look out over the cityscape).

This property offers extensive facilities for guests, with a strong focus on business travelers and corporate groups. Meeting facilities here are expansive, and the hotel can host seminars for up to 1,000 people, with full audiovisual and catering services available. There's also a business center, and guest staying on the Executive Floors (levels 32 through 37) can take advantage of the Executive Lounge, which offers a free and extensive breakfast, snacks and tea throughout the day, and evening cocktails, along with a meeting space for up to eight people. Basic concierge services ranging from airport shuttle booking to valet, laundry, and dry cleaning, babysitting, luggage storage, and a host of secretarial services are available. There's also ample on-site parking for a fee (though the first 24 hours are free for Executive Floor guests).Other highlights of this property include a large wellness center featuring a 20-meter indoor pool, a whirlpool, and a gym with treadmills, exercise bikes, and weights, plus a sauna. Fitness gear and clothes are available for rent or purchase. Note that the gym costs extra to use (except for Executive Floor guests). Salon services are available here as well, but there's no designated area for massages except for a couple of automatic massage chairs.Dining options abound here, with 24-hour rom service and all sorts of bars and restaurants suited to a variety of tastes. Breakfast is served for a fee, with an international buffet available at Garden Kitchen Caramelo and Japanese fare on offer at the Japanese restaurant Kanetanaka-So. Room service breakfast is also available and is comparably priced. Lunch and dinner options here include Coucagno, with provencal French fare, a Chinese (Szechwan) restaurant, Chen, and Oli, which serves Italian food. There are also a jazz club, pastry shop, and traditional tea room with tatami seating, plus a chic cocktail spot -- Tower's Bar Bellovisto -- which offers fantastic views out over the city.