Need to book a hotel soon, any recommendations based on one's own experiences of the various hotels in the area? Preferably close to the main station to make travel easier around Tokyo, unless there are better choices still within walking distance from the station or more interesting parts of Roppongi to stay close to? This will be a guy trip so probably lots of beer late at night, so somewhere close to where places will be open late.

What is your budget? As you can stay 5 star all the way down to 1 Star !

Tokyo Station is not the primary hub for in town travel. Otemachi is a large subway hub, which is a few hundred meters from Tokyo station, but you have to understand the layout because you can have another few hundred meters walk inside Otemachi depending on the entrance vs. line you are taking.

If you want to go to Roppongi frequently (and not stay there) then the Hibiya line will get you there. Upscale hotels near Hibiya Station include the Peninsula and the Imperial. The Hibiya line continues into Ginza.

Shibuya is a good transport and entertainment hub and there are two upscale hotels (Tokyu Excel and Cerulean). To get to Roppongi from Shibuya you can easily take a bus or taxi. Taking a bus might be a concern but it's pretty easy. It's the green and yellow Toei Bus #1 from the east side of the station. Very frequent and there is also a special bus marked RH1 that takes you directly to Roppongi Hills.

I don't stay in hotels in Tokyo so can't recommend any.

If Roppongi is the target area and you have an unlimited budget, the Grand Hyatt. For cheaper price points, ANA Intercontinental is within walking distance and there are a few business hotel options around Akasaka Station, also within walking distance.

Ritz Carlton ?
There is also the BIN in the seedy tout infested area !

Or on another end, Hotel Arca Torre Roppongi. Located right front of Exit No. 3 of Roppongi subway station, right around crossing of Roppongi where considered to be the center of Roppongi.

Looking at availability, a single room with breakfast during month of August is from JPY 5625 to 6675. Cannot beat this deal if you want to stay at the center of Roppongi! This is no way seedy hotel nor �love motel.�

Those of you who know me know that I'm a huge fan of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, with arguably, a near perfect location in Roppongi. Price _is_ an issue, but if within budget, it's the best choice in the area IMO, having tried the Ritz, and yes, even the Arca Torre once.

Definitely Ritz Carlton over the Grand Hyatt if we are talking unlimited budget.

Don't agree, but not because the RC isn't a nice place - it certainly is - it's just not my style. Traditional RC, old world luxury, targeted at the Japanese domestic audience which is indicative in the service and clientele.

The GH on the other hand, despite being built earlier than the RC in Midtown, is Japanese modern, slick and has IMO a more appealing location. That said, I enjoy many aspects of Midtown as well. It's good to be close to both.

Discounting the hotels (GH and RC) I prefer the RH location of GH over midtown and RC.

I don't think that the RC Tokyo is traditional enough. It tries to be too new modernish for my tastes, whereas the RC Osaka is unabashedly and unapologetically traditional, which is more to my preference.

That said, while I still think that RC Tokyo is a better hotel than GH Tokyo, GHT is still excellent, and in a much better location, so it would also win my nod for a first time stay where location is important.

Let's say 3-4 star hotel, with location within Roppongi being the key as we won't be spending much time in the hotel. Something decent though would be nice, but as mentioned I don't care much for a fancy gym or facilities, mainly nice rooms and as mentioned prime location in Roppongi for going out in evenings and being close to local transport options.

Isn't there an Ibis across from the Midtown development ?

Yup. Right amongst some of the most seedy strip clubs and hostess bars.

Bonus: Few Nigerians in that precise area.

Hmm, maybe something 200 yards down the road in either direction then, but still close to where people will be partying in the evenings (regular clubs, not hostess/strip joints)?