Icons have always held an inimitable place in our hearts and minds. They are those we look up to and strive to emulate, possessing an undeniable reputation developed through a dedication to their craft. Situated in the heart of Tokyo's Marunouchi district, one such icon stands: the award-winning Palace Hotel Tokyo. A testament to luxury hospitality, the Palace Hotel Tokyo’s many accolades have been achieved through its commitment to exemplary service, offering guests a stay that will remain etched in their memories of this vibrant city, steeped in history but always with an eye on the present.
Words by Leigh Maynard.
This five-star hotel, a symbol of luxury and elegance, stands on some of Tokyo's prime real estate, adjacent to the iconic Imperial Palace, the emperor's residence, designed in 1993 by Architect Shōzō Uchii. The hotel is a part of the city's beating heart, with numerous transport links on its doorstep and on the periphery of nature. A refined starting point to explore Tokyo's rich culture and history, visitors can take in views across the bay or explore the nearby shopping district.
Continually building on its outstanding reputation, Palace Hotel Tokyo sits at the intersection of history, culture and art while consistently looking to the future and leading by example. Encompassed by beauty, from the natural design of the Emperor’s Fukiage Garden to the carefully curated paintings hanging throughout its interiors, Palace Hotel Tokyo proudly celebrates Japanese creativity, and the hotel's voluminous dimensions are the perfect backdrop to display these exemplary artworks. Lofty ceilings and expansive walls are decorated with blossom-dappled canvases in blues and whites that stretch the length of the lobbies; contemporary pieces in exuberant yellows offer vibrant bursts of colour, giving each space its unique voice.
Senior Managing Director and General Manager Masaru Watanabe explains: "The hotel strikes this delicate balance of celebrating Japan's distinctive heritage, reflecting Palace Hotel Tokyo's own legacy, and staying relevant and contemporary. [However,] maintaining a delicate balance between the three is a persistent challenge. We may be an independent Japanese brand, but we are intimately familiar with the highest and most stringent international standards for luxury hospitality. I believe the fact that we cater to a very high percentage of international travellers speaks to our ability to consistently meet–– and exceed––expectations. Certainly, our Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, which we have held for nine consecutive years, also attests to that. (Our Evian SPA also just received a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide this year.)"
The symbiosis between the clean yet luxurious architecture and nature's canvas is demonstrated most notably through the sweeping windows that envelop each exterior at Palace Hotel Tokyo. From floor to ceiling, through lobbies and around the sumptuous rooms, from Deluxe to the Palace Suite, guests can expect sweeping views across the cityscape. Many of its 284 rooms and suites offer extensive entertainment options and amenities, including 16-inch waterproof LCD TVs in the bathrooms, Imabari bath linens and 24-hour in-room dining. Ultimately, guests can relax and watch the sunset above the lush gardens, whose floral treasures echo in the palettes of furnishings in natural greens, punctuated by the warm pink petals of the blossom trees outside.
Every restaurant offers a unique experience, from the tempura at Tatsumi and sushi at Sushi Kanesaka to the fine dining at one Michelin-starred Esterre. Launched in 2019, Esterre continues the hotel's over half-century devotion to French cuisine. With many years of experience at top restaurants, Esterre's Chef de Cuisine Kei Kojima explained that taking his position at the restaurant "could be the last, great challenge of my life, and it has proven to be quite a gift to me as it has presented me with the opportunity to start from scratch with a blank canvas – to define Alain Ducasse's concept of naturalité for Esterre in my own, personal style. I believe there's nothing more important than to focus on making guests feel happy and satisfied, so this is an ethos that I wholeheartedly share with Palace Hotel Tokyo, as that's something that the hotel has been uncompromisingly dedicated to throughout the entirety of its existence."
Chef Kojima enthusiastically continues the Palace Hotel Tokyo's legacy of sustainability. "Since joining Esterre, I believe we have successfully transitioned its menu to an even more farm-to-table-centric one than before." Originating from Kamakura, just outside of Tokyo, he tells us that he visits the local farmers’ market every morning, even on his days off, to ensure that every dish at Esterre is created from the freshest ingredients.
Chef Kojima explains, "I'm constantly thinking of what dishes I might like to serve practically until the moment I close my eyes at night." Guests can sample exquisite dishes like steamed Ezo awabi (abalone) with grilled artichoke and cabbage, beef from Kumamoto served with tender vegetables, glazed unagi (freshwater eel) with tender shogoin daikon (Japanese radish) and vegetable jus. But one of his favourites, he says, is "the green asparagus with seasonal vegetables and mushroom marmalade from our spring menu - because when I was sourcing the asparagus for this new dish, one of the farmers at the Kamakura farmers' market introduced me to a person who grows green asparagus, and after the two of us experimented over and over, we figured out just the right timing for how to cook his asparagus perfectly – to present it at its most flavourful. I just loved that."
Indeed, Palace Hotel Tokyo is a feast for the senses, offering a serene escape where opulence meets tranquillity amid surroundings that blend art, culture, city life, cuisine and nature. It stands as a beacon of luxury and excellence. As Masaru Watanabe explains, "The team has remained laser-focused on establishing the brand as being a 'timeless' one, and this has allowed us to keep in step with ever-evolving trends without getting swept up in [the] hype. There is a timelessness to much of Japan's rich cultural heritage and our brand's legacy of hospitality, so, however modern the times, I believe we've become quite adept at seamlessly melding and adapting. I believe service, when genuine and exceptional, is timeless – and we are tirelessly committed to that.”
The ability to blaze a trail and stand out is a pursuit that many strive for, but few achieve. Above all, offering timeless quality is one element that all icons share.
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