HOSHINOYA Tokyo

Hoshinoya Tokyo is situated in a tower in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, uniquely blending a traditional Japanese garden with a high-rise hotel concept. While its immediate surroundings are dominated by corporate offices like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, its location isn't as prime as other similarly priced luxury hotels such as The Peninsula Tokyo or Bulgari, with a noticeable lack of nearby dining options or convenience stores. The service, on the other hand, truly made guests feel at home. Each floor boasts a dedicated Japanese-style common area, but the atmosphere felt a bit too rigid or rule-bound. For example, when I asked for a second welcome dessert, it wasn't possible. However, I would strongly advise against staying here for a business trip. Firstly, the hotel's policy of not allowing unregistered guests to enter is quite inconvenient and arguably unsuitable for a business-oriented establishment. Secondly, the hotel itself offers a rich array of experiences – from its two-Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant to kimono fittings, tea ceremonies, kendo classes, hot springs, and sightseeing bicycles. These features highlight its strong appeal for leisure travel, making it less ideal for business.

The hotel's location was excellent, and the rooms were very spacious, exceeding my expectations. The hotel was immaculately clean, truly spotless. Each floor has six rooms that share a common lounge area. After each use, staff would come to clean it thoroughly, restoring it to its pristine condition, which was incredibly thoughtful. Every staff member at the hotel was extremely kind and friendly. I particularly loved the rooftop hot spring; after a soak, they even provided ice-cold milk, which was a lovely touch. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with my stay.