The Lively Azabujuban - Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan
THE HOTEL
The Lively Azabujuban Tokyo is one of three hotels operated by Global Agents Co Ltd and recently opened in November 2019. Located in a famous gastronomy neighbourhood of Tokyo, the Azabujuban branch has 62 full-equipped rooms of three types. Suitable for solo travellers, couples, small families and small groups, this boutique hotel combines sophisticated elegance and casualness for those seeking comfortable and pleasurable experiences. It is also a non-smoking hotel.
THE LOCATION
The Lively is in a premium location in the Azabu area, one of the most exclusive residential areas in Tokyo encompassing Azabu Juban, Moto Azabu, Nishi Azabu and Minami Azabu. It is a 5 minute walk from Roppongi Hills, an affluent development area featuring Mori Tower, Mori Art Museum, several foreign embassies, public artworks including bronze spider sculpture Maman and a popular nightclub scene amongst locals and foreigners alike.
If you’re keen to stay in a hotel near Tokyo Tower, The Lively Azabujuban Tokyo is certainly a suitable option.
THE ROOM AND AMENITIES
We booked a Standard Double Room with a double bed, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Walnut wooden cabinet doors and dark denim upholstery furnish the room which measures 20sqm. It felt smaller than what we imagined, however this may have been due to the coffee table and chairs occupying a large portion of the room next to the window. It’s a reasonable size for a hotel in Tokyo and ample space for two people to move around and store luggage.
The double bed features mattresses by Serta which we found plush and comfortable – we collapsed here after almost 20 hours in transit. Folding cupboard doors shield the television and fold-out desk when not in use.
The ensuite bathroom is compact but cleverly built into the room featuring an adjustable rain shower head (no bathtub) and complimentary shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. The room includes drip coffee and matcha green tea.
THE FACILITIES
On the second floor to the side of the front desk is a free space called “Liverally”. An impressive modern space with sofas, a fully equipped work space, billiards table, chessboard and hammocks, the Lively also offers free self-pour beer to hotel guests each evening during their happy hour. Yes, we said FREE self-pour beer. Certainly a winning feature in many travellers eyes and helping the Lively to be considered as one of the coolest hotels in Tokyo. Detox water, tea and coffee are also provided complimentary.
On the other side of the front desk is the kitchen and small restaurant. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included in the price of the room and the hotel provides a limited offering. Breakfast is an additional ¥1,300 which may be unappealing and costly to some guests. We discovered a number of bakeries on the same street, particularly between the hotel and Azabu-juban station. The hotel does not offer room service.
The Lively Bar is a rooftop bar located on the 9th floor. It is open to hotel guests and to the public. A complimentary drink to the value of ¥1,500 is provided to each hotel guest. Open every night, the Lively Bar is proud of its signature cocktails and affords an attractive view of Tokyo Tower. We ordered the Asakusa Express and Azabu Juban Tonic signature cocktails. The Lively Bar has an impressive array of whiskys as well as bar snacks and share plates if feeling peckish.
There are elevators from ground floor up to the front desk on the second floor and the Lively Bar on the 9th floor. Secure key card access is required for guest rooms on levels 3 – 8. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel from the shared areas to the guest rooms. There is no swimming pool or public onsen.
THE HOSPITALITY
Reception is located on the 2nd floor where three wagons make up the front desk. We were warmly greeted on arrival and provided with our key cards and complimentary drink tickets to the Lively Bar.
Front desk also offers pocket wifi devices free of charge for a day if a survey is completed or at a cost of ￥500 per day. The morning after our check-in, we requested to use the pocket Wi-Fi for the day but unfortunately, the lady at the front desk did not know how to use the device and it did not function as expected when we were out in the streets of Tokyo.
While we managed to connect our smartphones to the device, this was the only step we were able to complete. We were not able to use any other apps that required an internet connection, so we suspect there was no data on the pocket device or we had missed a step in order to enable the Wi-Fi connection.
THE LOWDOWN
How To Get To The Lively Azabujuban Tokyo
From Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT):
By Train & Subway → 1 hour 20 minutes
By Bus → 1 hour 50 minutes
By Taxi → 50 minutes
From Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND):
By Train & Subway → 50 minutes
By Bus → 1 hour
By Taxi → 30 minutes
From Azabu-juban Station – 3 minute walk
Take the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line or Toei Subway Oedo Line
From Roppongi Station – 10 minute walk
Take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or Toei Subway Oedo Line
