From capsule hotels to luxury: A guide to Tokyo on any budget

Tokyo is trending among Aussie travellers, who are flocking to the Japanese capital in droves.

The best thing about it? It really can be explored on any budget, whether you've got cash to splash or you're counting your yen.

I recently spent about two weeks in Tokyo, staying across capsule, mid-range and luxury hotels, to get a taste of the entire spectrum.

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I got there flying business class with Cathay Pacific, lapping up the luxuries of the company's new Aria Suite.

And speaking of luxury - let me start by telling you all about the luxury hotel I stayed at: IHG's ANA InterContinental Tokyo.

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High-range budget: ANA InterContinental Tokyo

If you're on the lookout for the kind of hotel that makes you feel like you're living in the dreamiest of worlds – and you can stump up the cash – the majestic ANA InterContinental Tokyo in Minato City would have to be exactly what you're looking for.

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Booked in for a two-night stay at this five-star hotel, renovated earlier this year, I wandered through revolving doors, across gleaming marble floors, and past some bars and restaurants abuzz with other travellers.

I arrived at a lobby with beautiful wooden features, took an elevator up to level 35, and checked in at the Club Intercontinental Lounge.

I was greeted there by two staffers who made me feel like royalty. One offered to take my luggage to my room; the other asked if I wanted a mid-afternoon cocktail.

I then settled in at the lounge for an hour or so, enjoying an espresso martini and a buffet full of delicacies: prawns, sushi, breads, cheeses, meats, pastries, a wide range of hot tapas, juices, and much more.

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Open for breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails, this lounge was complimentary with my stay.

The view of Tokyo from the lounge, by the way, is spectacular.

Nearby ANA InterContinental is the iconic Tokyo Tower – Japan's answer to the Eiffel Tower – which offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.

The district of Roppongi in Minato City is absolutely worth a visit, too, offering luxury shopping, world-class dining and a great nightlife scene.

The Mizu Suite

The newly renovated hotel presents 801 rooms, all of which are either a Mizu Suite or a Sura Suite.

I spent my two nights in a Mizu Suite fitted with an incredibly comfortable king-sized bed.

When I wasn't kicking back on my bed in front of a 55-inch, 4K smart TV, I could be lounging about in front of another TV of the same kind in the spacious living area.

In the bathroom, there's a shower with a huge shower head, a bathtub, and even an electric toilet seat.

Right throughout the suite were origami patterns, embodying the concept of "unfolding Tokyo" as tourists do when they're exploring the city. Even one of the lamp shades was shaped like origami.

The Mizu Suite also has a big, comfortable seat by the window. The view I had through that window was sublime.

“Indulgent” and “glamorous” are words that spring to mind when I think about my stay there.

Mid-range budget: ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay

I also spent two nights at IHG's ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay, which I found to be a great mid-range option.

The 132-room hotel (which, like ANA InterContinental, was renovated earlier this year) struck me as an attractive, comfortable and fresh place to stay from the moment I arrived at the leafy reception area.

I stayed in one of the standard rooms, which offered a very comfortable king-sized bed, a big smart TV, and a sofa.

Situated on the upper floors of Seafort Tower, my room and the hotel had amazing views of Tokyo Bay, which were particularly stunning at night when the city lights were on.

The hotel has a library lounge packed with thousands of books in Japanese, Chinese and English, as well as a gym and a 24/7 reception area.

The hotel is only a 10-minute drive from JR Shinagawa Station and has a direct connection to Tennozu Isle Station on the Tokyo Monorail, giving you easy access to many bars, cafes and restaurants, and a popular, man-made entertainment island called Odaiba.

As for food at ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay, I helped myself to the buffet breakfast and was very satisfied with the spread dished up: bacon and eggs, sausages, pastries, fresh fruit, breads, cereals, juices and much more.

Low-budget option: Yoroi Asakusa

If you want to save even more money, and want a place that (in my experience) is better than the typical backpacker hostel, I recommend Yoroi Asakusa.

The typical backpacker hostel leaves a lot to be desired.

At Yoroi Asakusa, on the contrary, I had my own "capsule" – basically a bed in a cave shut off from the rest of the dorm – and the hostel was remarkably clean.

The hostel also offers free WiFi, free toiletries, a laundry and a self-service check-in/check-out, making coming and going a breeze.

Oh, and the blasting air con was a dream.

I found Taito City, where Yoroi Asakusa is, to be an awesome area to explore. I enjoyed walking around the streets, wandering from shop to shop and trying out various eateries. My favourite meal in Taito City was the Japanese barbecue I had for dinner on my final night in Tokyo.

I recommend taking a ride in a Yakatabune – a Japanese pleasure boat – down the Sumida River, enjoying the local cuisine and drinks as you take in the sights.

The writer was a guest of IHG Hotels and Cathay Pacific.

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