Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae Hot Spring Hotel

For a city break built around Shibuya, this is a practical 136-room hotel rather than a resort trying to distract you from the map. You get a central Tokyo base, a hot-spring bath for the end of the day and enough in-room kit to make the return from a long outing less of a production. The hotel occupies six floors and keeps the useful parts close at hand.

English- and Korean-speaking staff make arrival and everyday questions easier. Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a choice of double or twin rooms suit travellers who want the city outside and a straightforward place to reset indoors. The mood is functional, with a few well-chosen comforts doing the heavy lifting.

The hotel is in Tokyo's Shibuya area, at 6-24-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. JR Shibuya Station's East Exit is about a ten-minute walk away, which puts the railway network within useful reach without making the station your bedroom neighbour.

Meiji-jingumae, Shibuya Crossing and Yoyogi Park are among the nearby city landmarks. The hotel sits about 5 km from central Tokyo, with the surrounding streets offering the sort of urban wandering that can easily turn a short stroll into a full day's route. Bring sensible shoes; Tokyo is not shy about distances once you start exploring.

Couples can choose between a double bed and twin beds, while the twin layouts make sense when sharing a room without sharing a mattress. The compact twin is the no-nonsense option for two people who mainly need a private base, whereas the larger-feeling twin categories are the better fit when you want a little more breathing room between bags, clothing and the day's accumulated Tokyo purchases.

Air conditioning and heating cover the seasonal basics. Several room categories add soundproofing, a fridge, tea-making facilities, a safe, Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with shower or bath. The fridge is handy for keeping water cold, while slippers, towels, toiletries and a hairdryer remove a few small items from the packing list. A desk and television are available in the better-equipped rooms, and the quieter room fittings matter when the day's walking has finally caught up with you.

Breakfast comes as a buffet, with a menu centred on Western-style dishes. The kitchen puts out slowly cooked beef stew, freshly made egg dishes and a broad selection of bread, including bread you can arrange to your liking. It is the sort of spread that gives you something more substantial than a hurried coffee before heading into the city.

There is a restaurant on site, along with tea and coffee facilities, a microwave and a food vending machine for the moments when a full meal feels like overkill. Breakfast is not automatically included in every stay, so check the room arrangement before assuming the first meal of the day is covered. The evening here is more hot bath, room and Tokyo streets than cocktails downstairs.

The main after-hours draw is on the second floor: a large communal hot-spring bath with an indoor bath, a high-temperature sauna and a cold bath. The sauna includes automatic löyly, with a light aroma in the steam, while ReFa showers and projection mapping add a slightly more elaborate finish to what is otherwise a very sensible recovery routine.

Massage and spa facilities are also available. After a day spent walking between districts, this gives you a proper way to slow the pace without leaving the building. Loan bicycles and cycling facilities offer another way to move through the neighbourhood when your legs are willing but the train timetable feels like unnecessary administration.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 05:00, and check-out is by 11:00. The reception is open around the clock, which is useful for late arrivals and early departures. Luggage storage, Wi-Fi, a lift and wheelchair-accessible facilities are available, with upper floors reached by lift.

On-site parking and a garage are available, with a height limit for vehicles. Laundry, dry-cleaning and ironing services can take care of the aftermath of a longer trip, while room service, a safe and a wake-up service cover the smaller practical jobs. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and cash are accepted.

International visitors must provide their passport number and nationality at check-in, and passports are copied and retained in line with Japanese hotel requirements. Only registered guests can access the rooms. Smoking areas are provided, while the accommodation itself is non-smoking.