..is difficult to find in Tokyo! The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is on my top list of 5 star city hotels in the World.
The hotel is suited on the last 13 floors on top of a skyscraper. It opened in 2009 but is maintained very well and seems like as it opened yesterday.
From car entrance level or ground level you take a lift up to the lobby on the 28th floor. The rooms are from floor 30 and up to 36.
The elevators are the most posh i´ve ever seen. Black glassed mirrors and an amazing and big chandelier hangs form the roof.
The hotel offers a “Meet & Great” service whereby special staff escort guests to and from Tokyo Station’s platforms.
The hotel collect over 2.000 pieces of art.
Location
The location couldn’t be better. Walking distance to the central station where you can conitue your journey to discovery the rest of Japan.
Rooms
The 200 rooms all decorated by a company in Santa Monica, CA are among the most elegant i´ve seen. You can have a view on Tokyo Bay or of the Imperial garden. Both are breathtaking. Complimentary coffee or tea upon wakeup.
Complimentary shoe polish. Very good quality amnesties in the room. The Horizon Club floor rooms follow the same pattern, but also include personal concierge service and access to the Horizon Club Lounge.
The rooms are silent. Very silent. You can really get some good sleep. The beds are very comfortable and of course pillow menu is avaialble.
The bathrooms are very big and have walk-in shower and tub in same area. The shower overlooks the room but can be cut off by an eletric curtain.
The rooms are also very dark at night. Not a single ray of light comes in and that helps when you struggle with jetlag and need to sleep.
The toilet seats, in a separate room, are high tech with water cleaning, heated seat and drying option…you know what i mean.. 😉
Lobby – Design – Common areas
I will let the pictures speak by themselves. The design is modern, elegant and with a oriental touch. You do not have a very strong feeling of Japan….could be really anywhere. The design is done by a company in Santa Monica called Hirsch Bedner Associates whom have done some other amazing hotels such as Park Hyatt Maldives and The Alpina inin Gstaad in Switzerland .
Have a drink in the lobby bar is something you must do. View of the city is breataking. The many small “Shangri-La” crystals hanging over the bar is a masterpiece. When we had a small earthquake they sounded like many small bells. No worries the building is earthquake proof. 🙂
Dining
- Piacere – Italian
The hotel’s Italian restaurant is led by Chef Paolo Pelosi, and sometimes welcomes chefs from the world’s leading Michelin Star restaurants. Piacere was decorated with the Best Award of Excellence at the Wine Spectator Grand Awards 2012.
- Nadaman – Japanese
Originally established in 1830, Nadaman originated in Osaka and has served royalty and world leaders. The restaurant 29th floor of Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, was designed by Hong Kong architect Andre Fu, drawing from nature with bamboo-shaped partitions and ceramic tiles with cherry-blossom motifs.
The breakfast is superb! Attention to details and fresh local food. OF course a la carte and buffet service. Let these pictures stimulate your taste buds 😉
Spa & Gym
CHI, The Spa, offers spa services, including the Kisetsu Ritual and Samurai Treatment. The six spa rooms are entirely private and the largest self-contained spa suites in Tokyo, containing their own showers, bathtub, saunas, surrounded by Tibetan artifacts, writings and furniture. Everything is provided at the Spa so no need to bring bathing suite with you to Japan.
Plus
-Silent and dark rooms at night.
-Free WIFI.
-Centrally located near Tokyos central train station
-Nice elegant design
-Very professional Staff
-Amenities and many complimentary services
-Great meeting and party venue.
-Pool and gym with an amazing view
Minus
-You do not have a feeling of being in Japan. The hotel has a strong oriental touch but not Japanese one.
Overall vote: 9 out of 10
