Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka

One of only two Best Westerns in Tokyo (the other one is in Akihabara) Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka is a good-value, modern hotel in a very handy location.

What’s the hotel like?

To most visitors to Japan, Best Western is a familiar brand among all the not-so-familiar local brands. True to form, the hotel gets the basics right and it offers excellent value.

The hotel is on Esplanade Dōri, one of the main streets through the Akasaka-mitsuke entertainment district, and close to the offices of lots of large Japanese companies.

In terms of the service, the staff were efficient and professional but not overly friendly.

What facilities does the hotel have?

The hotel has limited facilities, but there is a microwave oven and coffee maker in the lobby.

There’s also a laundry room with modern coin operated washer driers.

There are restaurants at street level, but these aren’t a part of the hotel.

Is there anywhere to hang out in the hotel?

There are some chairs and counters in the lobby, but these seem more for the decor than practical use. However, right next to the lobby is a café-style seating area. This isn’t so much a place to hang out, but there are power outlets, and it’s a great place to get some work done before checking in or after checking out.

What are the rooms like?

The hotel is on Esplanade Dōri, with south-facing rooms on the street side and rooms on the other side facing an alley with limited light, so the room you get will affect your experience.

We were lucky enough to get a corner room on the 7th floor that had great light and a view along Esplanade Dōri towards the Hotel New Otani in the distance. The window can also be cracked open.

How big are the rooms?

The room size is par for the course in Tokyo, but the room has a modern layout. What this means practically, is there is no entrance area in the room — the living space starts as soon as you step into the room.

There’s space at the end of the bed and on both sides of the bed, so if you are sharing the room as a couple, you won’t need to climb over your significant other like some other hotels where the bed is pushed up to the wall.

Are the rooms comfortable?

The bed was comfortable and there were plenty of pillows, which is always better than having too few pillows.

Slightly disappointingly, standard rooms have the shower in the bathtub — so you have to clamber in and out. Most newer hotels in Tokyo have a step-free shower in their standard rooms.

With the good, natural light from the large window and the expansive view, it was a pleasant place to hang out and write some hotel reviews! One small issue was the reliability of the Wi-Fi, so if you’re a Twitch streamer on vacation, you might have some problems.

What’s the view like?

As mentioned, the view varies considerably depending on your room. The view from our room (room number 701) was one of the best we have had in Akasaka.

Should I order the breakfast?

At the time of our visit, Best Western Akasaka had not restored their breakfast service, which was suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The best option is a morning set at a coffee shop in the neighborhood. Espressamente Illy in nearby Akasaka Sacas has a variety of good value morning sets with good espresso coffee.

For baked items, Akasaka Soyba on Missuji Dōri has excellent bread and pastries. The bakery is open from 9 a.m, but their prices (¥350 for a croissant and ¥380 for a pan aux Chocolat) are on the high side.

What’s the location like?

The location is quite convenient, with easy access to train stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, and eateries. It is located on the edge of the more nightlife oriented part of Esplanade Dōri, so we suspect that rooms on lower floors might get some street sounds on Thursday or Friday nights.

How is the access to trains and subway?

The hotel is about 5 minutes walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station, which is served by the Ginza Line, the Marunouchi Line, the Hanzomon Line, and the Yurakucho Line. Akasaka Station on the Chiyoda Line is slightly further away in the opposite direction. With so many lines passing through the area, it’s a breeze to get virtually anywhere in Tokyo.

How do I get there from Tokyo’s airports?

From Haneda Airport, the easiest route is to take the Keikyu Line that runs into the Toei Asakusa Line, then change to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line at Shimbashi Station, then alight at Akasaka-Mitsuke and take Exit 10 to the surface.

From Narita Airport, the fastest and easiest way to get to the hotel is via the Narita Express to Tokyo, then switch to the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, then leave the train at Akasaka-Mitsuke and again, take Exit 10.

What’s the surrounding neighborhood like?

The surrounding neighborhood is a mix of offices, retail, and eateries. It’s a popular drinking and socializing area on weekday evenings, but it’s not as seedy as nearby Roppongi, so there are far fewer touts. On weekends, the area is almost deserted.

Are there many good places to eat nearby?

Akasaka is packed with good places to eat and drink. In the area you can find whatever cuisine you fancy. There is sushi, high-end ryotei, cheap and cheery izakaya, Italian, Chinese, French, Korean, Thai, Spanish — take your pick. Palermo (despite the name) serves delicious Neapolitan style pizzas and pasta dishes. Itamae Sushi is a good-value sushi chain in the area. Craft Beer Server Land serves up vegan dishes with a wide choice of local and international craft beer. For massive volume at an affordable price, head to Chinese Cafe 8, but be careful not to over order! For one of the more unique (but by no means cheap) dining experiences in Tokyo, make a booking at Ninja.

What points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel?

Hie Shrine and its popular path of red torii gates is a short walk from the hotel. The traditional Japanese garden at the nearby New Otani hotel is also worth checking out. If you’re a fan of electronic gadgets, head to Bic Camera to browse the huge range of items.

Who should stay here?

If you’re looking for something “boutique” or special, then Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka may disappoint. If you can get a room with good light and perhaps a view, the rooms aren’t a bad place to be at all.

What sustainability measures do they have?

There are no tooth brushes or other disposable items in the room. If you need any of these, you can fetch them from the lobby.

Tips and tricks for the best stay

With the big difference in light and views depending on the side of the hotel, we suggest requesting a corner room on the street side of the hotel for the fabulous view down Esplanade Dōri towards the Hotel New Otani.

If on business or a mix of leisure and business, take advantage of the café space next to the lobby to get some work done before check-in or after check-out.