HOTEL REVIEW; SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, TOKYO

The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is a spacious and luxurious retreat in the bustling metropolitan city of Tokyo, Japan. Located directly next to hub Tokyo Station it’s incredibly easy to get to as well as welcoming – as you step off of the Shinkansen train you are greeted by an attentive member of the hotel staff in red uniform who then escorts you to the hotel whilst helping to carry your luggage.

Opened in March 2009, the Shangri-La Tokyo was the first of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts properties to open in Japan. Inspired by the legendary land in featured in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon the Shangri-La encapsulates serenity and mystique that it is renowned for worldwide.

The hotel occupies the top 11 floors of the mixed-use Marunouchi Trust Tower and houses 200 spacious rooms and suites that offer comfort and convenience for any type of traveller. Named the No.1 Luxury Hotel in The World at The Traveler’s Choice Awards 2012, the rooms offer dynamic cityscape views and rooms reflecting Japanese influence though modernity to accustom to western travellers.

Guestrooms have a minimum space of 50 square metres and provide views extending to the Imperial Garden, downtown Tokyo, Tokyo Skytower and Mount Fuji on a clear day. Of the 200 rooms and suites, 16 of these are include luxurious deluxe and premier suites that include elegant marble bathrooms with a walk-in-wet room, bathtub and separate rain forest shower – Premier suites are located at the corners of the hotel to provide extended views of Tokyo Bay.

In room amenities include;

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• 42-inch LCD television with international channels
• Pillow menu with hypoallergenic options
• Executive writing desk with USD/HDMI ports
• Nespresso machine

The Horizon Club, reserved for Horizon Club Guests offer exclusive amenities and privileges such as a dedicated concierge, and an express check-in/check-out service. Guests are also able to enjoy the Horizon Club Lounge that offers food and beverages for breakfast, all day teatime and evening cocktails all with panoramic views of downtown Tokyo.

The Health Club offers a range of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and facilities with on-house personal trainers, a 20-metre heated pool, and jaccuzzi and sauna facilities all complimentary for hotel guests.

“CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace, enchantment and well-being. Here the spa features six private suites with a selection of award winning treatments that range from elements of body massage, exercise, stretching, hydrotherapy, relaxation, and meditation. The spa features an extensive spa menu offering approximately 30 specialised facials, body works, body therapies, body wraps and water therapies, including indulgent “journeys” – extended spa rituals lasting for as long as five and a half hours – to allow guests to escape the grasps of the city in a secluded area of the hotel. Speciality treatments include;

• CHI Balance – which uses a custom blend of Asian techniques
• Yang CHI Energiser – inspired by traditional Chinese medicine
• Samurai – which incorporates “warriors” who desire daily relief from fatigue and stress
• Salt and Rice Bran Scrub
• And more, including customised treatments to suit your needs.

For dining options, the Hotel has 3 eateries including two first-class restaurants. The Lobby Lounge Bar is popular for cocktails, canapés and breathtaking views, Italian cuisine in Piacre by Executive Chef, Andrea Ferrero and fine traditional Japanese cuisine by Chief Chef Takehiko Toshida at Nada Man – here you can indulge in set menu options that include multiple small plates of different Japanese tastes. The restaurant also features a sushi and teppenyaku counter and kaiseki as well as private dining rooms.

With a check-out time of 12pm, guests are allowed more freedom on their last day. Being located adjacent to Tokyo Station it’s the perfect base for both business and leisure travellers. A “meet and greet” service is available and the hotel provides a complimentary escort service from and to any train boarding platform at Tokyo Station.

THATraveller was welcomed to the Shangri-La Tokyo as a guest to experience the hotel.  My opinion is my own.