A touch of DIOR at PALACE HOTEL TOKYO
In life, there are few people, experiences and places that leave a profound mark on us, those we carry in our memory for days, years to come, just as a well-loved book whose pages yield evocative tales, stories you return to time and again, there is a hotel that has made that type of indelible impression on me. In 2024 I stayed at Palace Hotel Tokyo, it was during my very first visit to Japan; a trip in itself that did not disappoint in terms of cultural and historic richness. The hotel sits in a unique location itself, amongst the city’s heritage-rich narrative, next to the living history of Edo Castle. With an unparalleled service and attention to details, that has each and every guest's needs covered. Therefore, on my subsequent visit to Japan, a return to Palace Hotel Tokyo was without question a first choice, as it endures as a defining expression of elevated Japanese hospitality.
Words by Edwin S Freyer.
From the moment of my arrival, that same level of attention to detail is apparent; Everything is exquisitely taken care of, as I remember from my previous visit. From the first moment I am escorted through the vast hall to the Club Lounge on the 19th floor, I can sense why this hotel has held Forbes Travel Guide’s coveted Five-Star status for 11 consecutive years. You are stepping in a world that hugely appreciates nature, art, craft, history and hospitality, blending Japanese and international style perfectly. The interior designs in the main areas are made by Terry McGinnity from GA Group and perfectly match one of the symbols for this hotel, its harmony with nature.
From the smooth check-in at the 19th floor, I pause for a second to appreciate the views that were vivid memories, and now a presence again, of the Imperial Palace over the gardens, a dramatic backdrop to the lush greenery. A unique location with these privileged views is just one of the experiences that will leave this hotel etched in one’s memory. When you are booked with Club Lounge benefits, these include access to the 1,200 square meters Evian SPA TOKYO, a private meeting room, and a service from breakfast to night; a luxury enclave within the luxury hotel.
On my way to my room on the 22nd floor, the Japanese concept called Kaizen came into my mind, the philosophical idea of constantly improving and creating a better version of ourselves. This philosophy is perfectly reflected in Palace Hotel Tokyo, who this year has partnered with Christian Dior to bring to privileged customers new experiences in hospitality while staying at the property with “A Touch of Dior at Palace Hotel Tokyo”. This exciting collaboration starts from the moment you walk-in into your room, a Dior inspired floral arrangement, a box of “Les Bonbons Bouton de Christian Dior” chocolates by Anne-Sophie Pic, a Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, fresh seasonal fruits, and the last copy of Dior Magazine’s for those print lovers like myself.
The property has 284 rooms and suites, and mine, the Deluxe King, is both spacious and luminous with a balcony with views over the Imperial Palace gardens, that is every visitor’s dream. At the room’s heart, a king sized-bed that feels like the ultimate cotton sanctuary for slumber, while the room itself includes a complete mini-bar, Jugetsudo teas with nambu-tekki teapots, bath linens made in Imabari and Bamford’s products for the rain shower or the bath.
I quickly prepare myself as a car is waiting to take me from Marunouchi to Daikanyama to visit a private tour at Dior Bamboo Pavilion, another of the benefits of this partnership. After the success found in Seoul and in Bangkok, The Dior Bamboo Pavilion in Tokyo opened its doors on February 12th 2026 to bring Dior buyers and enthusiasts a space to not only to purchase, but to experience the beauty of blending French and Japanese exquisiteness. The concept store, reminiscent of the flagship at 30 Avenue Montaigne and illuminated nightly, the Pavilion’s golden façade crafted in aluminium takes inspiration from Arashiyama’s bamboo forest. Surrounded by three different gardens, including a conceptual garden by Seijun Nishihata and a Tea House by Kodai Iwamoto, while the inside hosts the latest Jonathan Anderson’s Dior collections, both Menswear and Womenswear, but also art pieces from TAKT PROJECT to Sho Ota, Ayumi Shibata, we+, Hana Mitsui, and CHIKAKEN. Finishing the tour at Dior Café with a menu that included, a fresh green pea velouté, a sobacha pain bagnat with marinated tuna and basil, and a matcha and tarragon bavaroise, yuzu cream and pistachio biscuit for dessert, also curated by Michelin star chef, Anne-Sophie Pic. After such succulent delicacies, a car is waiting to return to Palace Hotel Tokyo to spend the rest of the evening.
At dawn, I’m already walking around the property to take some photographs of the neighbourhood before the metropolis properly wakes up, which offers me the opportunity to get a different perspective of the Palace Hotel Tokyo. Integrated on the very first line of the Imperial Palace’s gardens, in between Wadakura Fountain Park, Kikyomon and Otemon Gate, from the southern side, we are steps away from the landmark of Tokyo Station. Returning for breakfast at Club Lounge, I have several options that include a Japanese style-breakfast, different styles of eggs, regionally-sourced fishes including Salmon from Hokkaido, fresh-pressed juices and an extensive variety of French breads, green, beans and Mediterranean salads, seasonal fruits, and baked-goods, from pain au chocolat to matcha muffins.
For lunch and dinner, the Palace Hotel Tokyo has an extensive and exquisite selection of culinary offerings, from Japanese cuisines, kaiseki at Wadakura, teppanyaki at GO, tempura at Tatsumi and sushi at Sushi Kanesaka. Fine dining Shanghainese & Cantonese at Amber Palace and, my personal favourite, the contemporary French haute cuisine at Michelin starred Esterre by Alain Ducasse.
Having a Déjà vu from 2024, as this is my last evening in the country while staying at this magnificent property, I have indulged myself with a ‘Miss Dior’ cocktail at the Lounge Bar Privé, brought in by the Maison and exclusive to Palace Hotel Tokyo, a delicious drink based on Pernod and Giffard Orgeat, a sweet treat while enjoying the very last hours of the day, witnessing the sun slowly hiding behind Tokyo’s west side buildings. If I had scripted this stay, where ultimate hospitality meets High-Fashion, my visit to Palace Hotel Tokyo would have been without hesitation, its felicitous ending.
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