Stay at one of these four hotels in Japan’s capital to be properly pampered and to fully experience the culture and customs of the land of the rising sun.
Expansive night view of Tokyo from the Park Hyatt Andfotography.com/Paul Allen
Alongside the essential great service and luxurious surroundings you’d expect, Tokyo’s top hotels also offer authentic Japanese experiences. Stay at one of these four hotels in the capital and you’ll feel like you’ve been properly immersed in Japanese culture and traditions.
The swimming pool at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo Andfotography.com/Paul Allen
1. A stay at the Palace Hotel is a fantastic way to start a Tokyo visit because of its location opposite and the Imperial Palace and all of its rooms overlook the Imperial Palace Gardens. The hotel opened in 2012 and unlike many other luxury hotels in Tokyo that have offices or shops below, the 23 storey hotel starts on the ground floor. In addition to being across from the Imperial Palace gardens (open to the public and free to stroll through), the hotel is also near Tokyo’s equivalent to Madison Avenue, the Marunuchi Naka Dori, a wide boulevard packed with chic shops and restaurants.
Wadakura restaurant at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo Andfotography.com/Paul Allen
The Palace Hotel is on the site of the Grand Palace hotel and while the new hotel was completely rebuilt from the ground up, certain elements were reclaimed from the original hotel such as the original 1960s mahogany bar top in the Royal bar. It was here that legendary Japanese bartender Kiyoshi Imai made the martinis that were so good he was nicknamed “Mr Martini.” Today, Manabu Ohtake, Diageo’s World Best Bartender (2011), is behind the bar. And in a nod to the Imperial Palace, the exterior stone matches the stone around the moat. Australian interior designer Terry McGinnity at GA Design International worked with architect Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkai and local design practice MEC Design, on the interiors of all public areas including a tea lounge, two of the hotel’s three restaurants (the other was designed by local firm 6F), a champagne bar, an Evian Spa (the only one in Japan and only one of three outside of France), a glorious indoor swimming pool with floor to ceiling windows, as well as the 290 guest rooms and suites.
A suite at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo Andfotography.com/Paul Allen
Of the 278 guest rooms and 12 suites, each with views of the Imperial Palace gardens, half of these have balconies. Lovely in-room Japanese touches include pyjamas, linens made in Imabari, a city known for its fine linen manufacturing and Jugetsudo teas, a Japanese tea brand dating back to the mid-19th century, cast iron tea pots and handmade teacups. Leafy motifs on the carpets and an earthy color palette throughout the hotel takes inspiration from the Imperial Palace gardens and a large outdoor terrace beside the moat leads out from the Grand Kitchen where breakfast is served. Also key to the design of the hotel is the artwork throughout. Over 1,000 pieces specially commissioned from Japan’s established and emerging artists range from ink and pencil drawings to rock sculptures and laser-cut paper art.
The Palace Hotel has ten restaurants and bars, including Japanese style private dining rooms. Crown restaurant offers French cuisine while Amber Palace is a one-Michelin starred Chinese restaurant.
