Welcome to 2021! Let’s reset and try this again – with Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games finally scheduled to happen this year, Tokyo is undoubtedly doing everything possible to ensure that it sets new standards for hosting guests from a post-COVID world. Therefore, it’s time to showcase the best hotels to have caught our attention - from the new or recently opened to old classics – and offer everything from unforgettable surroundings to the most modern amenities, fantastic locations, and luxurious experiences.
Feeling the Modern Rhythms
Expectations are always high for those hoping to be dazzled by Japanese modernity, and contemporary boutique hotels seem to really know how to deliver. The Wired Hotel (opened April 2020) in Asakusa is a prime example, with its sleek, clean aesthetic (designed by the same agency responsible for the Ace Hotel in Portland), floor to ceiling windows that gaze out at the city, and bonuses like a tofu-centric café and bike rentals. With rooms that range from spacious suites with balconies to those with bunk beds for groups, along with communal hotel spaces like slick community rooms, a stay here does make one feel wired into the youthful pulse of Tokyo. Also in Asakusa, just steps away from the SkyTree Tower, is the eye-catching One@Tokyo(opened April 2017) designed by notable architect Kuma Kengo. Angular walls, reclaimed wood, and industrial flourishes adorn the rooms, while amenities like a dedicated smartphone that allows guests to make free domestic calls (and even international calls to certain countries), and New American inspired dining options round out the stay.
When Location is Everything
Located in the commercial destination of Shibuya, Hotel koé brings together an industrial warehouse aesthetic with clean Japanese minimalism; rooms have a meditative quality – inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony – that complement the exceptional bedding, fixtures, and more. But the rest of the offerings, which range from American-inspired dining to a stylish bar to a fantastically curated hotel shop and events schedule, are truly top notch. Those who want to bring a bit of New York with them to Tokyo should look no further than Kimpton Shinjuku (opened October 2020). Inside, the design pays homage to Manhattan’s commerce and culture, while outside is Shinjuku, one of the most iconic neighborhoods of Tokyo. Amenities include a yukata(casual kimono) for guests, New York inspired dining and drinking options, a vibrant gallery, a wellness studio and even a chapel. For visitors who desire convenient access to historical sites, shopping areas, and other landmarks, hotels like HotelAsakusa Kannon Ura (opened September 2020) balance spectacular amenities with marvelous locations. With sites like Sensoji Temple a short walk away, visitors can instantly put both feet into Tokyo history.
Touchdown to a New Atmosphere
Last year, Tokyo EDITION opened up to much fanfare in April, with its grand, resort style ambitions matching the boundless energy of Tokyo. Located on the upper floors of the new 38-story Tokyo World Gate skyscraper, visitors enjoy unobstructed views of Roppongi and beyond, as well as direct access to the vibrant commerce and culture of the neighborhood. Also notable is TheAoyama Grand Hotel(opened June 2020), a five-star property in the heart of the city’s fashionable Aoyama neighborhood. Here, nothing is short of being pure elegance, from the mid-century modern style rooms to five world-class restaurants, a fitness center, and more. But the 92-year-old, OG boutique HotelGajoen Tokyotops them all. Perhaps best known for its prodigious collection of Japanese art, this legendary hotel balances nature, simplicity, and tradition so well that it is the perfect place to understand Japanese sensibility when it comes to the luxury experience. Matching the first impressions set by the hotel’s location on the Meguro river, tranquil gardens and historical structures are expansive rooms that are appointed with everything from dining areas to tatami flooring and whirlpool baths. This is as lavishly Japanese as you can get.
For more information on the best hotels reopening Tokyo, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/
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