Renamed from Edo to Tokyo, this rare and wonderous city has fast become one of the worlds most visited and important cities to get to know. Tokyo sits between the ancient world and modern super highway – it is a modern face with an old-soul. It’s history and culture has remained both utterly authentic to it’s roots and yet welcomed a wide variety of world lifestyle touchpoints, such as food and fashion. Boasting some of the best Michelin starred restaurants, with chef performance being as important as the food itself – this is a place to carefully chose where and what you eat so you miss nothing and experience everything. Ancient temples snuggle against some of the most sought-after shopping options in Asia, with Tokyo catwalk hits making quick appearances on the rails of high-street labels. Tokyo has way more to offer than food and fashion - Sumo here is huge and discovering this truly one-off sport is like nothing else – even for those who have no interest in the competition itself. Have lunch with the Sumo’s before they compete or watch them train as you perch on small stools on the saw dust floor. For a break from the city consider Toyko an alternative to discover the cherry blossom – head north of the city and discover a far less busy, but certainly one of the best spots to view this wonder of blossoming nature!
Whilst exploring this modern and vibrant city, we recommend the following 5-star luxury hotels in Tokyo as elegant calm spaces.
Handpicked for style, service and a little something different.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
If you seek the iconic the Park Hyatt is the luxury hotel in Tokyo to choose. Guests can enjoy a 360 view of the bustling city and Mount Fuji. Designed by Prizewinning architect, the late Dr. Kenzo Tange and sole interior designer, Mr. John Morford, the hotel is distinguished in its modern interior design, private art collection and acclaimed restaurants and spa and fitness centre.
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
High above the city the Mandarin Oriental is considered by many to be a cut above the rest. The M.O is a five-star plus luxury hotel with views to take your breath away and service which never fails to deliver a truly personal sense of guest care. Projecting a simple, contemporary style accented with traditional Japanese touches giving the atmosphere a truly remarkable sense of place, they offer usable and helpful technology, dreamy spa, restaurants which stand as some of the best places to eat in Tokyo in their own right, and impeccable service across the hotel.
Shangri-La Tokyo
The Shangri-La brand stands for representing the very best in Asian Hospitality and their Tokyo offering no exception – in fact it’s up there with some of the very best hotels in Japan. Inspired by the James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, the Shangri-La is a sanctuary in the heart of Japan's capital. The hotel overlooks the Marunouchi business area, which teems with life by day and offers a mesmerising urban-scape by night. Views of the imperial palace, Shinjuku’s sky scrapers and Mount Fuji also grace the space between the frames of the hotel’s huge windows – making this a place which feels both larger than life and yet intimate and welcoming.
The Peninsula Tokyo
Choosing the right location of your stay in Toyko is all about the view and the local area. Located in the Marunouchi district, and within walking distance to the shopping capital Ginza you will find the Peninsula Tokyo. There is something deeply calm about The Peninsula Tokyo, stemming from wonderful views of the Japanese capital skyline. The Peninsula brand manages to define simplicity and luxury is one effortless brush stroke. The hotel is a place of ease, with discrete service, an uncluttered interior design without compromising on style or comfort and perhaps most iconic is the sense of place which reminds us we are guests in a very special hotel indeed. The hotels award winning spa offers Oriental, Ayurvedic and European-inspired treatments, the fusion which is also reflected across the hotel’s attention to detail and dining options, putting their restaurants on many of the top ten restaurants in Tokyo.
The Ritz Carlton Tokyo
The fusion of East meets West is rarely as successfully executed and delivered than in the Ritz Carlton Tokyo. Perched above the skyline and located in the downtown Roppongi District, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is a traditional choice for both returning visitors and new travellers a like. There is something very reassuring about the Ritz Carlton brand and yet, within the familiar welcome and recognizable quality of service, lies a palpable atmosphere of contemporary luxury hospitality. The hotel’s dining options are worth giving some time to discover, from the Michelin Star restaurant Azure 45 to the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Hinokizaka, this is a plce for foodies no doubt! If the best Spa in Tokyo is what you are looking for then the Ritz Carlton Spa offers everything you will need including panoramic views across Tokyo.
Trunk House Tokyo – The Conte Club Secret Gem
Located in the delightful Kagurazaka neighbourhood, keeper of secret gem small restaurants, local shrines and temples in a maze of narrow lanes – this is where locals who enjoy the very best of their city come to play.The new Trunk House salon is one of Tokyo’s places to be seen. A former geisha house now converted into a modern-day creative salon is filled with contemporary art & design. This ultra-exclusive luxury hotel boasts a traditional Japanese garden, an open plan kitchen where private chefs rustle up local delicacies along with a state-of-the-art karaoke bar and cocktails served by a private butler who can also perform a traditional tea ceremony. If you don’t have time for more than one stop in Japan, give some time to Trunk House – it feels like an intensely clam perfect Japanese experience of the traditional and modern blended together by a very special kind of luxury.
Aman Tokyo
Anyone familiar with the best hotels in the world knows the Aman features on almost every list. This very special collection of properties represent a perfect blend of serenity and luxury, and their Tokyo following suit. The Aman Tokyo really is one of the gems in the collection combining a sense of place with an attention to service quality becoming a rare and exceptional place to stay. Occupying the top six floors of a 38-storey skyscraper in the Otemachi district, designerKerry Hill has crafted interiors drawing on Japanese design and simplicity, and yet the hotel always feels warm and welcoming. Close to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, this luxury hotel in Tokyo offers wonderful dining – certainly fit for foodies - utilising local ingredients to bring you Italian cuisine at its finest at restaurant Avra.
Four Seasons Tokyo
The Four Seasons Tokyo is one of the iconic brand’s smallest offerings and yet no attention to style or service is spared. With only 57 rooms this appeals to guests who value a highly personal service without compromising on the luxury touch points expected of a five star plus property. The contemporary French restaurant is a favourite of guests and local residents alike. If Tokyo’s skyscrapers don’t appeal The Four Seasons Marunouchi sits low occupying floors three to seven – giving a rare and special perspective on the city’s skyline. For those interested in the best luxury boutique hotels in Tokyo, this hotel offers the perfect blend of traditional luxury with a modern boutique backdrop.
Best time to visit. - March, April, October, and November.
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