Five of the Best: Tokyo’s Super-Luxury Hotels
Five of the Best: Tokyo’s Super-Luxury Hotels
Japan’s fine reputation for hospitality in general is unmistakably buttressed by the incredible standards of customer service achieved by the top hotels in Tokyo. In terms of international performance, precious few customers would doubt their deserving status among the very best. Here are five of the finest.
Mandarin Oriental, Nihonbashi
This very highly-rated hotel is located almost within touching distance of the Bank of Japan, and a very short walk away from the oldest department store in the world: Mitsukoshi. The Mandarin Oriental is the newest luxury hotel in Tokyo, having opened as recently as December 2005. As the pleasant gushes of cascading water outside fade into the background, customers are immediately impressed by the grandeur of the main lobby, replete with elegant lighting and wide, comfortable pouffes. Business travelers are especially besotted with the sweeping expansive views of Tokyo’s illuminated night-sky, available from the fabulous Mandarin Bar on the 37th floor. The overwhelming sense of relaxation and detachment from the hectic city below is reinforced by the gentle lull of live jazz music every night.
Hotel New Otani, Nagatacho
A more traditional take on legendary Japanese hospitality can be found a few stations away from the Mandarin at Akasaka-Mitsuke, in the form of the Hotel New Otani. Long regarded as one of Japan’s “Big Three,” Otani boasts a stunning array of attractions, most notably a 10-acre garden which used to belong to a samurai warlord, and the 17th-floor rotating restaurant named THE Sky Lounge & Dining. The coveted Seki-shin-tei restaurant entitles guests to dine on the finest meat among the greenery, waterfalls and swimming carp of the hotel’s garden. Built in 1964 and even appearing in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, the Otani underwent extensive renovation work in 2007, culminating in the creation of an 11th-floor Executive Lounge, designed exclusively for luxury business travelers, diplomats and politicians.
Four Seasons, Marunouchi
For a smaller, more intimate luxury feel however, the Four Seasons Marunouchi (our review is here) is unrivaled. This unique collection of 57 boutique hotel rooms is not only located on the doorstep of Tokyo Station but also within three minutes of the Imperial Palace, the vast grounds of which represent mesmerizing tranquility in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts. Described as “blending state-of-the-art convenience with timeless luxury,” the Four Seasons not only meets and greets you at the station but offers expert concierge advice for all manner of activities – in impeccable English. The decent-sized rooms themselves are characterized by floor-to-ceiling windows which further emphasize the feeling of openness and spaciousness. The Chairman’s suite spans an incredible 160 square meters of the most expensive land in Japan, even housing a dining table which seats up to ten guests. Combined with the culinary delights of Ekki restaurant and the elite cosmetic brands present in the Spa, the Four Seasons is perfectly placed to revitalize even the busiest of travelers.
Park Hyatt, Shinjuku
Park Hyatt Tokyo, occupying the upper part of a skyscraper, is characterized by floor-to-ceiling windows which offer spectacular views of Tokyo, presenting a perfectly sky-blue backdrop in the mornings. The hotel’s highly stylish New York bar gained worldwide attention in 2003 when it was frequented by Bill Murray in the movie Lost in Translation. Other features include a sky-lit bamboo garden on the 41st floor, the fine European dining restaurant with immaculately clad waiting staff known as Girandole, and a Club on the Park spa and pool on the 45thfloor. Rooms boast modern décor including subtle hues of green, marble and granite, while popular views include the luscious emerald expanse of Yoyogi Park.
Peninsula Hotel, Yurakucho
Overlooking the grandeur of the Imperial Palace and surrounding gardens, Tokyo’s Peninsula Hotel claims to be setting “new standards in comfort, design and sheer five-star opulence.” This is evident immediately upon entering the shiny lobby, replete with glowing pillars and outrageous skeletal chandeliers, where fresh English tea, scones and strawberry jam can also be enjoyed. Room technology has been honed to the finest detail, even including nail polish dryers. The further up the suites you go, the more lavish it becomes, with naturally-lit marble bathrooms, guest powder rooms and spacious sofa areas the norm. The sensational Peter, meanwhile, has been dubbed “the hippest restaurant in Tokyo,” pampering guests with armchair round-table dining options against the illuminated backdrop of central Tokyo.
