Why Stay?

Aman Tokyo, the pioneering urban retreat of the ultra-luxe resort brand, still shines brightly more than a decade since its opening. As would expect from one of the leading names in the business, this hotel is defined by its locale but also redefines what luxe city living looks like. Showing that simplicity is elegance, and that luxury is as much a state of mind as it is about offering all the extras, Aman Tokyo feels as tranquil as Aman’s tropical locations, an incredible feat given its position in the middle of one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

The Neighborhood

It’s hard to imagine a backdrop that’s more of an antithesis to Aman’s most familiar landscapes. Far from mountain-flanked valleys and pristine beaches, the surrounding Otemachi financial district is a place where travelers swap bathing suits for business suits. It’s not all cold concrete and gray skyscrapers though; the hotel sits two blocks from the Imperial Palace gardens. A stay at the Aman has a guaranteed bonus of unobstructed views over the nation’s most regal residence. The rest of the city is practically at your feet, with the European-style Tokyo Station just a four-minute walk east.

The Lounge by Aman affords sweeping views of the city from the lobby level of Aman Tokyo.

The Feel

Kerry Hill, the late and great Australian architect who created nine of the brand’s resorts, designed this high-rise hideout with a passion for juxtaposition, light, and dark, luxury and minimalism, and the open and the secretive. Here, there’s an appreciation for the discreet. The first-floor entry is easy to miss unless you know where to go, while the concierge desks in the 33rd-floor lobby are tucked away from the reception, allowing the assumed VIPs that frequent such a space privacy when discussing details of upcoming travel plans. Taking up residence on the uppermost floors of the sleek Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo feels almost like a place of reverence, but the friendly staff ensure that warmth and fun are injected into its overall ambiance. The cavernous sky lobby sets up this theme throughout the hotel. Its impressive 30-meter ceiling is flanked by gray basalt stone walls, but only about a third of the way up; the rest is covered in softly backlit washi paper on camphor frames. Guest rooms follow a similar aesthetic, being open and extravagant in their sense of space but minimalist in their flourishes.

Guest Quarters

The 84 suites are staggeringly spacious (entry-level accommodations measure in at a massive 71 square meters). In a city like Tokyo, where space is a valuable commodity, it feels like a luxury in itself. Residential-style rooms have been artfully laid out to emphasize that feature. All resemble a ryokan inn reinterpreted for the future, with light wood finishes, sliding screens and doors, meticulously positioned calligraphy pieces adorning the walls, and a deep stone square bath complete with floor-to-ceiling city views.

Food and Drink

While many five-star hotels like to show off their luxury with an indulgent selection of restaurants, Aman Tokyo keeps it simple, staying true to the brand’s “less is more” ethos. Just off the lobby, The Lounge serves delicious cocktails with sweeping city views and all-day-dining options, including bento boxes, sandwiches, salads, small bites, and the famous Aman Tokyo wagyu burger. Also on the 33rd floor is Arva for classic Italian dishes that also showcase the luxurious diversity of Japan’s incredible local produce. In the mornings, the space also doubles as the breakfast restaurant, where guests can select from Japanese and Western offerings. For something more local, there’s edomae sushi restaurant Musashi by Aman, whose master chef Hiroyuki Musashi selects the menu depending on the best fish of the day.

A spring flower bouquet in the lobby at Aman Tokyo; artisanal Italian pasta at Arva restaurant.

Wellness Factor

Like the rest of the hotel, the spa reinterprets Japanese tradition for the contemporary traveler. Guests are invited to indulge in seasonal-herb-infused treatments based on kampo, or traditional herbal medicine. The Aman Tokyo Signature Journey is the spa’s signature offering: it consists of a body scrub and massage utilizing both Shiatsu and Western techniques.

Family Matters

While there are no dedicated facilities for children, that’s not to say Aman Tokyo isn’t a kid-friendly hotel. The little ones are as valued as grown-up guests, with staff members greeting them enthusiastically and also treating them with respect. Kids receive suitably sized in-room slippers and yukatas, as well as welcome amenities featuring sweet treats.

Sustainability Cred

Aman promotes an ethical supply chain and sustainable sourcing. The kitchens prioritize small-scale suppliers, and 70 percent of the rice used at the hotel is grown organically on master sushi chef Musashi’s own farm two hours outside Tokyo; some of that harvest goes into brewing sustainable sake.

What Else?

Head down to the B2 floor of the Otemachi Tower, and you’ll be rewarded for your curiosity. La Patisserie by Aman Tokyo is a small, somewhat hidden bakery serving a wonderful selection of delicious bread and pastries.

Reviewed by Lucy Dayman

aman.com
+81 03 5224 3333
Otemachi Tower, 1-5-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Aman Tokyo: Tranquility Pioneer

Tokyo Hotels

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