On our latest journey to Japan, we stayed at one of Japan’s grandest hotels, the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which is located in Shinjuku, towering above the city with breathtaking views. Today Japlanning will take you through the hotel and how we found our stay.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo is considered by many to be Tokyo’s premier hotel experience, perched on Shinjuku's business district, just a few blocks from Shinjuku station and sitting opposite Shinjuku Central Park. The hotel sits atop the three towers of Shinjuku Park Tower.
The hotel, which takes up the top 14 floors of the towers, was one of the first to take up the higher sections of a skyscraper and forego the traditional grand lobby that many hotels had around Tokyo when the Park Hyatt opened in 1994. The building was designed by world renowned Japanese architect Dr. Kenzo Tange, the unique design of the towers gives almost every room and public area breathtaking views of Tokyo and beyond.
The hotel has been the place to stay in Tokyo since it's opening with its limited number of rooms, with just 177 available, exemplary design and service, it's easy to see why it is regarded by so many, from movie stars, business executives and seasoned travellers, as simply the best in Tokyo.
From arriving at the hotels driveway you can see that this isn't just your ordinary hotel. The abundance of staff, all in pristine uniforms, greet you with a warm hello and are fast to help you with everything. They quickly took our bags away, and we were on our way in. At the entrance you will start to see some of the beautiful artwork that is found throughout the hotel, of which, all of them original pieces. There is a sense of feeling like you’re coming home as you enter.
A staff member takes you through to the hotel elevators to take you to the lobby, which is up on the 41st floor. When entering the elevator you may notice it to be a little dimly lit, however as you rise the light rises with you, then as the doors open on the 41st floor you are flooded in light that is coming in through the four story glass pyramid atrium. As you are guided through to the check-in, you get a sense of what the Park Hyatt Tokyo is trying to convey: the hotel is modern, yet understated, through the impeccable interior design, you can't help but feel relaxed and at peace in the hotel.
Passing by restaurants, we saw more spectacular original pieces that were commissioned for the hotel, and the impressive library of seemingly thousands of books (these are not just for display — you can ask to take any book to read through while staying at the Park). You are taken to the check in room, which is set to be kind of a sanctuary.
We were checked in quickly, with a warm welcome and a few signatures. We arrived quite early in the morning, and weren't expecting to get our room till later in the day, however much to our delight, we were shown straight to our room, which was already ready for us.
Stepping into our room on the 42nd floor, we were faced with the reality that all other hotel rooms may be ruined for us. We were guided in and given a tour of the room and it's features, as you enter a full walk in wardrobe to our left, with all our luggage already placed. Down the hallway to the main area of the room, where we were faced with the spectacular view.
Uninterrupted views across Tokyo, and with Mt Fuji in the distance, it was such an amazing sight that we got distracted for a few minutes before we turned around and saw the sheer beauty and size of our room.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo has the largest hotel rooms in Tokyo, with the standard room (which we stayed in, and is the majority of their 177 rooms) being larger than the average apartment in Tokyo, at 55 square metres.
The spacious room has a sitting area, desk, spectacular entertainment armoire, which is so well designed that it seems almost like the room was build around it. With TV, DVD player, mini bar stocked with decedent treats, and the finest wine and spirits, you will also find a selection of books to peruse on varying topics from art and design to atlases and history. We found this to be a great feature that we hadn't come across in a standard room before. All rooms also have high speed wireless internet complimentary.
The beds are extra wide, making your ordinary king size bed look small, and are dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets, and a luscious down feather duvet. The mattresses are all custom made for the hotel, to their requests, and gave an amazing nights sleep.
Now I'm sure your wondering what could be better in this stunning room, well next we have the bathroom, and wow was the bathroom big! We have stayed in business hotel rooms in Japan in the past that weren't as big as the bathroom in our room at the Park Hyatt. The bathroom boasts double sinks, warm lighting and marble, and a separate shower and bath. The shining star of the bathroom is the deep soaking tub, which is designed to give you ultimate comfort. Above the tub is an original painting that was commissioned for the room, and complements the design of the bathroom flawlessly. The bathroom comes fully stocked with beautiful bath products by Aesop, as well as super comfy robes that you’ll find are a bit bigger and fluffier than your regular Japanese hotel robes.
We were so taken aback by our room that we seriously considered cancelling our day plans for touring around Tokyo to just relax and enjoy the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
The room is like a sanctuary, a place where in the biggest and busiest city in the world you can escape it all and feel like you are home.
For a hotel that is perched up so high, it’s jam packed with many features.
There are five restaurants, two bars, a deli, and a lovely patisserie, which are all overseen by the executive chef, Thomas Angerer.
As you step off the elevator on the 41st floor in the atrium you will find the Peak Lounge, nestled around the bamboo garden. This garden setting is great for light meals, an amazing English afternoon tea, or cocktails looking over the neon blur of Tokyo. Next, we have Girandole, which is beautifully designed with a french bistro theme, here they offer all-day dining, starting with a lovely breakfast, lunch and dinner, with signature dishes and an amazing view. Opposite we have Kozue, which is the signature Japanese restaurant of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, on the 40th floor, where they only use the freshest ingredients available and are treated to home-style dishes, which are all beautifully presented.
Now we head up to the 52nd Floor for the stand out restaurant at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, the New York Grill. The interior is dark and muted, dominated by four large paintings depicting New York scenes with the contrast of floor to ceiling windows overlooking Tokyo. The meals are all made in their open kitchen, which becomes part of your meal with its dynamic sounds and smells coming out. They specialise in rotisserie duck, fresh seafood and quality cuts of Japanese beef, and boast the largest collection of American wines in Tokyo.
Up on the 52nd floor is the hottest bar in Tokyo, made infamous by the classic indie film, 'Lost in Translation'. The New York Bar, which serves spectacular cocktails with stunning live music nightly, with the sparkle of Tokyo's skyline in the background. Back down on the 41st floor in the atrium is The Peak Bar which offers equally stunning views above Tokyo.
Back down on the ground, you will find the Delicatessen on the first floor, offering original produce, sauces and dressings, as well as take away items from New York Grill. They also make great carry-out hampers, perfect for the long flight home. Situated right by the entrance is the Pastry Boutique which offers decadent bakery goods and gourmet gifts.
Considered one of the best in Tokyo, the Park Hyatt Tokyo's Club On The Park is a spectacular spa and fitness centre, that rivals those you find at relaxation resorts. Located on the 45th and 47th floors, you’ll find the 65ft swimming pool, surrounded by amazing views and light, a full gym that has all the latest machines and equipment. They offer classes as well, with qualified trainers; On the 45th floor you will find treatment rooms, men and women's wet and dry saunas, body showers, whirlpools and cold plunge pools, as well as relaxation rooms with refreshments, and televisions for your enjoyment. The vanity areas also provide guests with Aesop toiletries, for men and women, and well as robes, towels and exercise clothes.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo features and amenities that extend outside your room are all of a standard that you would expect from such a distinguished hotel, and the many options rival those of a much larger hotel.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo was, simply put, phenomenal. From the opening of our taxi door when we arrived, to the closing of the taxi door when we departed, the service was flawless, in all our travels and countless hotel stays we have never had the personal service and touch that the Park Hyatt Tokyo gave us. Beyond their superb service, their rooms, public spaces and amenities are some of the finest we have ever come across, the feeling of being at home and not just another hotel, comes through everything in the hotel.
Japlanning would highly recommend staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo on your next stay in Tokyo. It is a premium hotel and at the higher end of hotels in Tokyo, however we feel the service and amenities are worth every last Yen. Once you stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, you will be ruined for all other hotels in the future. Your only disappointment with the hotel will be that you have to depart it at the end of your stay.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo, is located at 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. To book your stay at the hotel please visit their website here, or call the hotel directly on +81 3 5322 1234
Full disclosure: Although we met with the Park Hyatt Tokyo's team and took a tour of the facilities, while staying in the hotel, this post was in no way sponsored by the hotel — the Park Hyatt was 100% deserving of this praise.
Have you stayed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo before? How was your stay?