Some of the most spacious rooms in Tokyo can be found at The Peninsula, a 24-storey, rose-tinted tower inspired by a Japanese lantern. Expect unwavering service, panoramic views from the rooftop restaurant, legendary afternoon teas and a convenient location in Yurakucho.
In Yurakucho, with the high-end stores of Ginza and Marunouchi minutes away on foot. Not to mention the loftiest of neighbours living just opposite – namely, the Emperor and Empress (look out for views of the Imperial Palace from guestrooms).
The rose-tinted tower was created by Kazukiyo Sato and inspired by a Japanese lantern. It is elegantly opulent, with marble walkways, Japanese-style artworks and leafy views. Unusually for Tokyo, it’s a standalone hotel (many luxury hotels in the city inhabit only the top levels of a skyscraper). And so it’s perhaps little surprise the hotel is as epic in size as it is luxurious: with 314 spacious bedrooms, five restaurants, two ballrooms and wedding chapel.
Service is unwaveringly helpful from the moment you arrive – whether you are being picked up by one of the hotel’s customised green Rolls Royces at the airport or simply greeted at the entrance by the smiling bellboys dressed in dazzling top-to-toe white.
The sixth-floor spa offers a chic retreat from urban Tokyo – plus some of the most luxurious treatments in town. Top of the spa highlights list is Margy’s Facial Treatments from Switzerland (it’s the only place they’re available in Japan) – including the Super-Lift Haute Couture Facial, a dexterously high-tech blast of anti-ageing goodness, which is also deeply relaxing.
Among the city’s most spacious (the dressing room alone is big enough to sleep in), the rooms fuse exquisite traces of traditional Japanese design with five-star modernity – from the earthy colour palette, the bamboo-woven ceilings, the white lanterns and the abstract calligraphic artworks to the expanses of wood, stone and marble.
It’s also dizzyingly high-tech, with hidden buttons and gadgets everywhere, from a centralised wireless control panel by the bed, electronic weather displays informing guests of outdoor wind speeds and a hidden Lavazza machine in a cupboard to an in-built nail dryer – yes really.
Delicate Japanese kaiseki is served in Kyoto Tsuruya, innovative Cantonese in Hei Fung Terrace and legendary afternoon teas in the atmospheric Lobby serving exquisite seasonal teas and cakes (get there early at the weekend to avoid snaking queues).
For the swishiest experience, however, head to the top floor bar and restaurant, Peter (named after the Peninsula chief operating officer), home to glitzy chrome tree installations, futuristic seating and 360-degree views across Tokyo – plus a luxury grill menu with delicious seasonal ingredients (from Hokkaido scallops to tenderloin Wagyu beef from Gifu).
Double rooms from 78,646 yen (£525) in low season; and from 175,522 yen (£1,172) in high. Breakfast excluded, costing 7,452 yen (£50). Free Wi-Fi.
Yes – five rooms have been adapted for guests with disabilities.
Definitely – it’s home to the Peninsula Academy, offering a range of children’s activities, including a popular Pokemon Experience, a Karate Kids session and a workshop making traditional wind chimes (plus the usual children’s in-room amenities and children’s menus).
Chiyoda-ku Yurakucho 1-8-1, Tokyo, 100-0006, Japan.