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It is virtually impossible to get a room at Claska — it’s got just fifteen rooms, nine Western, three in traditional tatami style, and three unique designer-conceived rooms, all of which are much in demand among the fashionable souls who populate Claska’s lobby scene. So it’s not out of lust for your money that we bring this fantastic hotel to your attention; it is simply for the love of a well-made hotel.
And a well-made hotel it is — possibly the finest small hotel we have come across, and certainly the coolest. The Japanese culture has a way of seizing upon and then perfecting trends born elsewhere, so it is not surprising that the original Tokyo boutique hotel is possibly the definitive entry in the genre. The interior design is beyond cutting-edge, from the entryway by the English design firm Tomato, to the rooms and lobby lounge by a motley crew of hip Japanese designers, to the D.I.Y. rooms — not for you to do yourself, but done from bottom to top by three celebrated contemporary Japanese designers. Vestiges of the original New Meguro Hotel (sort of a Sixties jet-set business hotel) remain, adding an authenticity that elevates the interiors beyond mere set design. If you are a design groupie, or just the sort of person who appreciates the delightful absurdity of an upscale pet salon called Dogman (servicing Meguro’s pups since 2003), then this is the place for you.
Services are rather minimal, in classic boutique style, just as the nightlife is appropriately maximal — Claska’s lobby bar is pitch-perfect, the kind of place the locals go out of their way to visit — a surprisingly vast space with sleek modern furnishings and high ceilings, where DJs spin and drinkers drink until 2am.
We mean “out of their way” quite literally — Meguro is not hugely convenient for travelers, or even for Tokyo residents, and is nowhere near the city center. If you’re looking for that Lost in Translation experience, try the Park Hyatt in Shibuya or the Grand Hyatt at Roppongi Hills. Claska is a long taxi ride from these districts, and even the Meguro train station is not quite within easy walking distance.
But that’s the trade-off. This is a wonderful hotel, possibly our favorite city hotel in all the world, and the starting rates are low, ¥12,600 (around $120 US) for room 505, the most basic single room — though if you wish, you can pay Park Hyatt prices for rooms 401 and 402. So it’s only natural that the hotel should be booked solid for months in advance. If you manage to get a reservation, and you survive the trek to Meguro with your patience intact, we can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
How to get there: From Narita Airport, Claska can be reached via the Narita Express train, a trip of approximately 90 minutes.
- 15 Rooms
- Style: Cutting-Edge
- Atmosphere: Happening
- 88 Guest Reviews
- Claska
- 1-3-18 Chuo-cho, Meguro-Ku
- Tokyo, Japan
Hotel amenities and services
- 24 hour concierge
- 24 hour front desk
- Babysitting (on request)
- Bar
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Central air conditioning
- Free parking
- Free wi-fi
- Lounge
- Luggage storage
- Multi-lingual staff
- No pets allowed
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Spa treatments (on request)
Other Tokyo hotels
88 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- Rowland
- Stayed May 2010
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
the DIY rooms are really innovative, but not pricey. Staff is super-helpful. Felt very at home
What the hotel could do better:
Add wifi internet.
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- Simonne
- Stayed November 2010
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
The location if a little off center but a short bus trip takes you to the Meguro underground station.
The rooms are very quiet since there are only two on each floor. For Tokyo, the rate and the size and design of the room are exceptional. I will be going there again.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Matthew
- Stayed May 2010
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Unique design, huge room (502), extremely friendly and helpful staff, reasonably convenient location (despite what some say, it is an easy trip from Narita airport, and sufficiently far from the craziness of central Tokyo for jet lag suffering new arrivals!), excellent room service breakfast, great range of DVDs available at no charge
What the hotel could do better:
Dinner was perhaps overpriced - but there are plenty of interesting places to eat within walking distance. TV was a little on the small side.
