This is a bit of a departure from the title of this section: Tokyo on a Budget. However, it was such a great place to stay that I thought an exception is called for, and if you read on, I did get it at a great bargain.
For those who can dish out about $200 per night, the Westin Hotel, located in a happening neighborhood called Ebisu, is definitely the place to stay. Some critics have even said that the Westin gives the Four Seasons, which spends more than a million dollar on each room of its hotel, a run for its money.
The Westin Ebisu is gorgeous, though a bit pretentious, as everything in the lobby is made with marble. Rooms are huge by Japanese standard. It''s a deal of the century if you can manage to get it free, like I did, by signing up with Starwood''s American Express Free Fridays program (for every five nights you stay during a specific period, you get two free Fridays anywhere in the world). Rooms are furnished with classic European furniture, and each includes a make-up desk, a large writing desk, a couch, and separate shower and tub. Even the tea bags are symbols of luxury: they are made with woven linen. The Westin is conveniently located about 10 minute walk from the nearest subway. The fun thing is that you do go through a shopping complex to get there.