Tokyo is a wonderful place. People here seem to take pride in their jobs, no matter what job. Every detail of life in Tokyo is executed impeccably. The streets are clean; the public transport well-organised, the shops imaginatively designed, the restaurants superb and the culture is ultra-respectful. I spent a week in Tokyo and not once did I hear a car horn, this is definitely a far cry from our daily earful of road rage.
But choosing somewhere to stay in Tokyo is no easy feat. There is a plethora of international chains that offer five-star accommodation at five-star prices but not so many boutique hotels that offer a genuine local experience. Therefore, for my first trip to Tokyo I made my decision based on location. And if that is important to you then there is nowhere better than the Grand Hyatt situated in Roppongi Hills.
The hotel is a relatively new development within Tokyo. In fact, the area itself was the brainchild of Japan’s largest commercial landlord, Minoru Mori, who spent decades patiently acquiring the vast site from hundreds of small local landlords. Finally in 2003 Roppongi Hills, a shopping, residential and office complex in Minato-ku, was opened with a project cost of just over four billion USD. In its first year alone it attracted 49 million visitors.
The central building within Roppongi is called Mori Tower, named after the area’s visionary. It was designed by American architects Kohn Pederson Fox, who also designed Beirut’s Marina Towers. Situated right next to Mori Tower is the Grand Hyatt which, you guessed it, is also owned by Mori. And surrounding the hotel are impeccably maintained tree-lined streets, lots of shops and restaurants, all of which are within easy walking distance. This area is swanky, trendy, lots of fun and is probably the most international part of Tokyo – so conversing here is that much easier.
The hotel itself is a large one. With 389 keys this is certainly no tiny hideaway. And unlike the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, featured in Lost in Translation, which revels in its subdued atmosphere; the Grand enjoys an architectural openness and brightness that result in a warm and relaxed airiness. Natural flax-like fabrics, rough-cut stone and variegated wood form the spacious bright interiors.
Of course there is a variety of rooms supposedly to suit any budget, but remember this is Tokyo after all – this isn’t the second most expensive city in the world, after Moscow, for nothing. So the room rates pretty much cater to those willing to spend a lot or an obscene amount. This being the Power issue, we of course had to go for the best so we stayed in the formidable 260 square metre penthouse Presidential Suite. Not only does this offer panoramic views of the city from the 21st floor but on a clear day Mount Fuji is right in front of you in all its glory.
What you get for 7,510 USD a night is a twin king bedroom, a dining room that can seat up to eight, a very large sitting room, a kitchen, five flat-screen televisions, a mass of electronics and most unusually of all a private 12-metre rooftop swimming pool. Naturally, the pool is heated in winter thereby making it useable all year round.
The first thing to impress you upon entering the suite is the height of the ceilings. Furthermore there are floor-to-ceiling windows that accentuate the five-metre height even further. The penthouse reflects Japanese influences through subtle yet sophisticated touches. There are rice paper screens that conceal the televisions, there is a Zen garden, there are even kimonos hanging in the bathroom. The light earth tone colours and textures create the ideal environment for relaxation and getting away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.
On the electronics side, as I stated earlier, there are five televisions. Three of them are 43-inch plasmas located in the bedroom, dining room and sitting room. And the remaining two televisions are 13-inch units both in the bathroom. There are also Bang & Olufsen stereo systems, one Sony hifi and there is even a Bose iPod unit. If this isn’t enough you can play away to your heart’s content with the array of switches that control everything from the audio controls, to the blinds and black out curtains; you can even fine tune the special mood lighting. And last but not least the hotel offers the fastest high-speed Internet connection currently available and for no extra charge.
But it’s the smaller touches that make this penthouse so pleasurable. My personal favourites were the magnificently soft Manrico cashmere sheets and blankets. Enveloped in such luxury you are able to enjoy the most relaxing of slumbers. Funnily enough though, this can be a problem if, like me, you forget to request a wake up call; you will sleep right through your entire agenda.
The next best thing about the Presidential Suite? Well, that would be the bathroom of course. The fact that it’s actually as big as the bedroom is just the most opulent lunacy, but I was certainly not complaining. Apparently it was designed to incorporate the philosophy of traditional Japanese bathing. I am no expert in the matter but perhaps that’s another way of saying that there is a huge Jacuzzi with a built-in neck massager. The bathroom is finished in Rebecca beige limestone, and apart from the deep Whirlpool tub in the middle, there is a separate showering area that has a rain-shower unit fixed to the ceiling as well as a host of other jets along the wall. Again, another detail the hotel got right is that, despite its size, the bath fills very quickly.
To all intents and purposes the Grand Hyatt’s Presidential Suite is probably the most impressive place to stay in all of Tokyo and it has an almost folkloric following due to its swimming pool. Indeed, it is such a nice place to stay you may never wish to leave but there are two things you have to do while staying in the hotel. The first is a visit the Nagomi Spa, the second is to eat at The Oak Door restaurant.
The Nagomi Spa is located on the fifth floor. I have visited a lot of spas in my time but there was something truly complete about this one. It was just so beautifully designed with its red granite swimming pool, its illuminated Jacuzzi, its stunning locker rooms and Onsen style wet area. Though this ‘naked communion’ bathing area takes a little getting used to, once into the swing of things you can enjoy the hot and cold baths and stunning sauna to their maximum benefit. Following the wet area, when you’re ready to relax, just mosey over to the massage chair room and watch TV from your own individual set even though most channels are in Japanese.
The other must do is The Oak Door restaurant located on the sixth floor. I had the single most delicious Kobe steak of my entire trip at this premium steakhouse and just the thought of that buttery soft meat gets me drooling. Even if you do not stay at the Grand Hyatt you must try this restaurant where the chefs cook all the meats in oak wood burning ovens.
All in all the Grand Hyatt is expensive, the restaurants are expensive and the spa is expensive. But if you’re after the best and quality is what you seek then look no further. The service is excellent, the staff being both friendly and efficient and the location is unbeatable. In all honesty, what more could you want?
Contact
Grand Hyatt
Tokyo, Japan
Tel +81 3 4333 1234
www.grandhyatttokyo.com
TOKYO PAGE
Worth Shopping At
Omotesando is a mish-mash of high-end fashion brands that boast some of the most stunning contemporary Japanese architecture. Bespoke’s two favourites are:
Prada Aoyama
Swiss architect’s Herzog & de Meuron created this iconic glass honeycomb building. By day and night it this building just draws your attention.
5-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku
Tel +81 3 6418 0400
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Tod’s Omotesando Building
Japanese architect Toyo Ito, inspired by Omotesando’s towering zelkova trees, created this concrete representation of nature.
5-1-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel +81 3 3797 2370
HYPERLINK "http://www.tods.com/" \o "http://www.tods.com/" www.tods.com
Worth Visiting
Tokyo Golf Club
Founded in 1913, this is one of the more difficult places to visit in Tokyo but well worth the effort. As a guest you will need a letter of recommendation from a member.
Tel +81 4 2953 9111
Gallery of Horyuji Treasures
A beautifully designed annex to the National Museum that houses treasures from the Horyuji Temple in Nara – probably the most important temple in Japan.
Tel +81 3 3822 1111
HYPERLINK "http://www.tnm.go.jp/" \o "http://www.tnm.go.jp/" www.tnm.go.jp
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Seryna Honten
This is the best Shabu-shabu restaurant in town, conveniently located in Roppongi. Basically you dip your pieces of Kobe beef into a boiling water broth. A must.
Tel +81 3 3402 1051
HYPERLINK "http://www.seryna.co.jp/" \o "http://www.seryna.co.jp/" www.seryna.co.jp
Mon Cher Ton Ton
Most people know what Teppanyaki is but nothing can prepare you for the scrumptiousness this restaurant has to offer. Located next to Seryna.
Tel +81 3 3402 1055
HYPERLINK "http://www.seryna.co.jp/" \o "http://www.seryna.co.jp/" www.seryna.co.jp
Worth Partying At
Feria
Clubs and bars are notoriously short-lived here, but Feria has been around for a while and therefore has proved its staying power. The place to party when in Tokyo.
+81 3 5785 0656
HYPERLINK "http://lounge-feria.jp/" \o "http://lounge-feria.jp/" http://lounge-feria.jp
