Asakusa View Hotel

This hotel isn't the epitome of style, but at its core there's enough here to make it a pleasant option for this part of Tokyo. The Asakusa View Hotel's interiors are a bit dated, if well-kept, with polished stone columns and glittering conical chandeliers. There are a few classic touches that age well despite the ho-hum beige tones and shiny marble. The mezzanine, above the lobby, has a decisive Art Deco flair, and some of the tile work has even come back into vogue. Still, the lounge looks like its furnishings haven't been changed since the '90s, and the gaudy displays outside the small shops attached to the lobby add a decor all their own. The hotel draws travelers from across the spectrum, including couples, families, groups of friends, business travelers, and those voyaging solo.

The hotel is located on a busy major road along the Tsukuba Express Line in Asakusa, one of Tokyo's popular tourist destinations, about a five-minute walk from the iconic Senso-ji Temple. This is a busy area with many restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and convenience stores. The area has good transportation links -- it's close to Tawaramachi Station (an eight-minute walk) and Asakusa Station (12-minute walk) on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Lines. Tokyo Skytree, a skyscraper offering fabulous views of the city, is 15-minutes away by subway. It will take about 30 minutes to reach the Shinjuku area or the famous Shibuya crossing by metro, and it's 40 minutes by train to Harajuku. There are also direct trains to Haneda and Narita International Airports. If traveling by car or taxi, expect at least a 25-minute drive to Haneda Airport, and 60-minute drive to Narita International.

Asakusa View Hotel's 326 rooms include singles, twins, triples, and quad options. For the most part, decor can appear fairly dated. With busy patterned carpets and tacky bedspreads paired with unremarkable light-wood furnishings, the style in most lower-category rooms is underwhelming. However, Executive, Superior, and Premier Rooms are a bit sharper and more modern. These have standard chain-hotel details, like patterned carpets and an abundance of neutral tones, but fabrics are more current and furniture comes in darker wood-veneer finishes.   

Standard Single Rooms -- the smallest on offer -- measure 206 square feet (19 square meters) and rooms get larger from there -- a relatively decent size for Tokyo. Mini-fridges and air purifiers are standard, along with flat-screen TVs. Floor-to-ceiling bay windows with sitting areas that range from single armchairs to lounge chairs are the most notable features, making the most of the views. Executive and Superior Rooms add couches, while Premier Rooms have dining tables and additional flat-screen TVs; some rooms give a nod to traditional Japanese decor, with floor-level dining tables. Bathrooms have electronic toilets and shower/tub combos that vary by room type. Basic toiletries are provided.

The hotel stands out for its spectacular views from its small observation deck, as well as from its restaurants on the upper floors. The main restaurant on the 26th floor, Musashi, has an impressive buffet with a selection of Japanese, Chinese, and Western fare. Grilled dishes are done in an oven made with lava rocks from Mount Fuji. They bake their own bread and even grow their own salad greens on a hydroponic wall. Cozy seats for couples are arranged along some of the windows to take in the view, and there's a lounge bar section. A French restaurant and a Cantonese restaurant share the 27th floor. The 28th floor is reserved for a members-only bar called St. Christina, but guests must pay a fee to enter, and are also subject to minimum purchases.

Karuta is a traditional Japanese restaurant and sake bar on the sixth floor, with garden views and kimono-clad waitresses. On the ground floor, the lobby opens onto a casual cafe, along with a lounge bar and a bakery. There's also a small shopping mall with a variety of gift shops and clothing stores. The wedding venue, complete with a chapel, is popular on weekends with its lofty view toward Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.