The Peninsula Tokyo – Luxury Redefined

A great team and impeccable attention to detail give The Peninsula Tokyo the edge

Words & Photography | Emily Lee

After a quick and smooth checkout, a member of The Peninsula Tokyo concierge team quickly approached. With a courteous smile on her face, she gently reminded me of my evening appointment, a business meeting that the team had kindly assisted me in scheduling a few days ago.

I had been running on a particularly busy business schedule and, for three days, The Peninsula concierge team was there to help me every step of the way – even down to the moment I was leaving the hotel.

I was reminded, once again, that there is luxury; and then there is The Peninsula luxury – the kind of luxury that goes beyond mere material comfort.

All Peninsulas impress with their physical presence, and The Peninsula Tokyo is no exception. Standing tall among all of the buildings in the city’s premium Marunouchi district, the Tokyo outpost of the legendary hotel group exudes an elegance that is effortlessly timeless, not unlike the nearby Imperial Palace.

Inside, frequent hotel guests feel right at home within the lobby, especially during late afternoon, when a fashionable and impeccably dressed crowd gathers to enjoy the Peninsula’s famous Afternoon Tea. It is almost as easy to be impressed by the sophisticated crowd as the triple-tiered plate on the table, which is filled with delicious treats such as finger sandwiches and dainty cakes.

My Deluxe Park View Room was located on the 23rd floor and was defined by a gorgeous and wide-open view of the adjacent Hibiya Park and cityscape. The room was positively large – in fact, it is rather unusual to find such a spacious standard hotel room in Tokyo. I have stayed in a few high-end hotels in the city and almost none of them offer the same spacious, user-friendly layout of The Peninsula room, not to mention the gigantic bathroom and stand-alone dressing room. The oversized dressing room was a joy to use with plenty of storage and a well-lit vanity desk. No details were overlooked, as proven by a nail dryer, which was pure bliss for busy travelers frequently on the go.

If the dressing room was impressive, then the bathroom was purely an indulgence. A heated stone floor, a mini TV, an automated control system, a large tub, a stand-in rain shower and two separate vanity stations standing on opposite sides sum up the experience. Yet as always in the case of a Peninsula hotel, the sum is definitely greater than its parts. The large bathroom especially allowed a sense of freedom that one seldom associates with hotels in downtown Tokyo, even some of the most luxurious ones.

Not surprisingly, my Deluxe Room offered a high level of automation, keeping in line with the city’s high tech culture. A state-of-the-art automation system was accessible by multiple remote control outlets scattered across the room. You could, for example, lower the dual curtains electronically from the workstation, or from either side of the bed. Automation was further enhanced by motion sensor technology. Walk toward the phone and the keypad lights up automatically, likewise, the toilet seat lid opens and closes by itself upon detecting a guest’s movement.

Elegantly appointed with warm tones and earthy textures, my Deluxe Room easily provided a comfortable stay. The large rectangular room was smartly divided by a three-seater couch, which helped convey an even greater sense of space. The king size bed and down pillows offered a supreme, “wrap-around-your-body” experience. The spacious “living room”, complete with the aforementioned couch, a coffee table, a work station, a large Plasma TV and a dining table that seated two, created a usable living space away from the “bedroom.”

Not to be missed is The Peninsula Tokyo’s impressive Rolls Royce and BMW fleet, which take guests quickly to their destination of choice in style (at an additional cost). The hotel’s strategic location offers travelers an unrivaled convenience that’s simply addictive.

Directly accessible from two subway lines and within a short walking distance to the Tokyo Station, The Peninsula Tokyo is as much a paradise for leisurely-minded city explorers as ambitious day-trippers taking advantage of the country’s well-connected high speed train network. Walk over to the adjacent Tokyo Station and take the Shinkansen for a trip to Karuizawa (1hr), a popular onsen destination favored by Tokyo elites. Or simply reward yourself with the rich history and culture of the ancient city of Kyoto (2hr). Both trips are made possible thanks to the hotel’s close proximity to the Tokyo Station. Upon returning to Tokyo, you might even have enough time left to enjoy an evening of fabulous live jazz performance and fine cuisine at the famed Cotton Club Tokyo, which is a mere five-minute walk from the hotel.

If my encounter with the many high end shoppers inside the hotel’s elevator is any indication, however, I suspect that most guests would be content staying at Marunouchi, where the hotel’s situated and luxury shops abound. Ginza, another prime shopping district, is also only a five-minute walk away and offers luxury shoppers numerous fine choices. Last but not least, the Hibiya Park and Imperial Palace, both located across the street, provide leisure pursuits for guests who favor a more relaxed and quiet itinerary.

The hotel’s luxury appeal is further enriched by its multiple restaurants & bars, The Peninsula Spa and a fitness center equipped with a 20-meter indoor swimming pool, as well as a Vitality Pool. Due to a busy schedule, unfortunately, I only got to quickly sample a few of these offerings but what I experienced, including the breakfast and the fitness center, easily lived up to my expectations. A worthy candidate of the best hotel in the city, The Peninsula Tokyo provided an enjoyable stay accompanied by a myriad of luxury options to experience the city and its surroundings. Most importantly, the great team at the hotel offers a level of hospitality that truly shines in the best Peninsula tradition.

The Peninsula Tokyo
Address:１-８-１ Yurakucho  Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Telephone: +81 3-6270-2888
Website: http://www.peninsula.com/Tokyo