- Introduction: Falling In Love With Japan
- Review: ANA First Class 777-300ER Chicago To Tokyo
- Review: ANA Arrivals Lounge Tokyo Narita Airport
- Review: ANA Premium Class 737 Tokyo To Nagoya
- Review: Marriott Nagoya Associa Hotel
- Review: Amanemu Resort
- Review: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
- Review: Aman Tokyo
- Review: ANA First Class Lounge Tokyo Narita Airport
- Review: ANA First Class 777 Tokyo To Chicago
- Why Tokyo Might Be My New Favorite City In Asia
Want to receive extra benefits for your stay at Aman Tokyo, including complimentary breakfast, a space available room upgrade, a property credit, and more? Contact [email protected] for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.
I’ve heard many people suggest that Aman Tokyo is the world’s best city hotel. I was skeptical, especially after our disappointing stay at Amanemu. I was also curious how the Aman concept, which is so heavily based on nature and seclusion, would translate for a city hotel.
So, does Aman Tokyo live up to the hype?
In this post:
Booking Aman Tokyo
For our two night stay at Aman Tokyo we booked the entry level room (a deluxe room) at a rate of about 80,000 JPY per night. Ford booked us through Virtuoso, which offered the following benefits:
- Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
- Complimentary Full Breakfast at The Restaurant by Aman for two daily for duration of the stay
- $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, excludes mini-bar)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Early Check-in/Late Check-out (subject to availability)
There’s no reason not to book through Virtuoso, since you pay the same rate the hotel would otherwise charge.
Obviously Aman Tokyo isn’t cheap, though it’s worth noting that they have the largest entry level rooms in all of Tokyo, so when you take that into account, their pricing is more reasonable by comparison.
Aman Tokyo location
Aman Tokyo is located in the Otemachi Tower, in the heart of Tokyo’s Financial District, not far from Ginza. It’s near the subway, so you have easy access to anywhere in Tokyo. It’s also within walking distance of the station from which the Narita Express departs, which sure is convenient.
Aman Tokyo check-in and lobby
The Aman’s lobby isn’t on the ground floor, but rather there are just elevators leading up to the lobby. The Aman’s entrance is certainly understated, and you really have to know where you’re going to find it.
Aman Tokyo entrance
The ground floor level is very nice, with several hotel staff on hand to help, and then elevators at the end of the hall leading to the hotel.
Aman Tokyo ground floor entrance
Aman Tokyo elevators
The lobby is on the 33rd floor, and as you exit the elevator reception is just outside the elevator. It’s almost uncomfortable how close it is to the elevators. We were invited to have a seat in the lobby, and were offered cold towels and welcome drinks while our check-in was processed.
Aman Tokyo welcome drink & towel
We had arrived a bit early, so we were told our room wasn’t quite ready, but should be within about 15 minutes.
Aman Tokyo has the most insanely gorgeous lobby I’ve seen in my life. Period. Bar none. Wow, wow, wow. Pictures really don’t do it justice.
Aman Tokyo lobby
Aman Tokyo lobby
You have an even better view of the lobby if you go up a level to where the spa is, as there’s a lookout.
Aman Tokyo lobby
Apparently the lobby has 30 meter ceilings.
Aman Tokyo lobby
While the restaurants are over to the side, the lobby has plenty of seating as well, should you just want to lounge around. Even though the hotel is open to the public, it never got crowded.
Aman Tokyo lobby seating
Aman Tokyo lobby seating
Aman Tokyo lobby
Within about 15 minutes we were informed our room was ready, and we were escorted up.
Aman Tokyo room
We were assigned room 206, located on the… 36th floor. Yeah, that takes some getting used to, though at least the elevator lists both room numbers and floor numbers.
The Aman takes up floors 33 through 38 of the building it’s in. The lobby is on the 33rd floor, and then the floor above that is the spa. So then rooms 1XX are on the 35th floor, rooms 2XX are on the 36th floor, rooms 3XX are on the 37th floor, and rooms 4XX are on the 38th floor.
I guess that’s intended to make the hotel feel more intimate, given that it has just 84 rooms? I’m not sure, but it took me a minute to get used to that.
Anyway, everything about the design of this hotel was well executed, in my opinion.
Aman Tokyo hallway
The deluxe rooms here are 71 square meters, which is about 765 square feet. That’s massive for a standard room, and is more like a typical junior suite.
When you walk into the room you’re behind the bed, looking towards the living area.
Aman Tokyo room
There was a king size bed, which was set fairly low to the ground.
Aman Tokyo room
Behind that was a desk, and then behind that were some closets and a luggage rack.
Aman Tokyo room
Then there were a couple of steps leading down a level to the living area.
Aman Tokyo room
There was a TV between the living room and bedroom, which could be swiveled depending on which side you want to watch it from.
Aman Tokyo room
The sitting area consisted of a couple of chairs, a table, and then some cushions on a raised area. While I liked the aesthetic, it wasn’t necessarily the most comfortable place to sit.
Aman Tokyo sitting area
The room had very nice views, and for a moment I felt like I was in New York looking out over Central Park. While the views were nice, I preferred the ones from the Ritz.
Aman Tokyo view
There was a minibar in the room, and as usual at Amans, non-alcoholic drinks were complimentary.
Aman Tokyo minibar
There were also a couple of jars with complimentary snacks.
Aman Tokyo complimentary snacks
On the table was a small welcome amenity with some fruit. While a welcome amenity is by no means a “right,” I was reflecting on how Aman is among the stingiest luxury hotel groups out there when it comes to these. When you check into a nice hotel you often get a bottle of wine or something more substantial, but I find Amans pretty consistently have either nothing, or just something fairly simple.
That’s fine, but just not something I thought much about until now.
Aman Tokyo welcome gift
The bathroom was in a rectangular shape, and spanned the entire length of the room.
Aman Tokyo room
There were double sinks.
Aman Tokyo bathroom
Then to the left was the shower “complex,” which included a tub and shower.
Aman Tokyo bathtub
Aman Tokyo bathroom
Aman Tokyo bathroom
Toiletries were in the same containers as at Amanemu.
Aman Tokyo toiletries
Then the toilet was to the right of the sinks.
Aman Tokyo toilet
Aman Tokyo lobby lounge
Given how beautiful the Aman’s lobby is, we had pre-dinner drinks in the lobby lounge both nights. If you want to check out the Aman without paying for a room, I’d highly recommend coming for a drink. This way you can enjoy the ambiance of the lobby, and drinks aren’t that outrageously priced, at least as far as five star Tokyo hotels go.
Aman Tokyo lobby lounge
The lounge had seating along the bar, couches, comfortable chairs, and even a smoking section.
Aman Tokyo lobby lounge
Aman Tokyo lobby lounge
Aman Tokyo lobby lounge smoking section
Here’s part of the drink menu:
I loved that they put some effort into the drink menu, like offering Spanish-style gin & tonics.
Aman lobby lounge drinks
Service in the lobby lounge was attentive. The staff working there weren’t overbearing, though the second you closed your menu or they saw your glass was getting close to empty, they came over immediately.
I guess this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but at this hotel it doesn’t seem like they know who is staying at the hotel and who isn’t.
So at other Amans they usually just know what room you’re in. Here they ask what room you’re in, but when they find out you’re a guest you don’t have to sign anything (you’re just automatically charged).
Aman Tokyo breakfast
Breakfast was served in the restaurant just off the lobby between 6:30AM and 10:30AM.
Aman Tokyo restaurant
Aman Tokyo restaurant
Aman Tokyo restaurant
With our rate we could choose from either the American or Japanese set menu, which included the following:
I tried both breakfasts. The American breakfast started with fruit and yogurt.
Aman Tokyo breakfast
Then I had the scrambled tofu with mashed avocado, which was excellent.
Aman Tokyo breakfast
Alternatively you can have eggs prepared to your liking, with some sides, which Ford had.
Aman Tokyo breakfast
There was also a bread basket on the side.
Aman Tokyo breakfast
The Japanese breakfast was excellent as well.
Aman Tokyo breakfast
Aman Tokyo pool, gym, and spa
Aman Tokyo has an incredible pool, gym, and spa. However, the layout is a bit tough to make sense. The lobby is on the 33rd floor, and then the spa is on the 34th floor. However, some of the spa facilities are on the 33rd floor, but can only be accessed via the 34th floor.
The pool is open daily from 6:30AM until 10PM, and I was surprised it wasn’t busier the two times I went. This has to be one of the nicest city hotel pools I’ve ever seen.
Aman Tokyo pool
Aman Tokyo pool
There’s plenty of seating along the pool, and it’s an all around very peaceful environment.
Aman Tokyo pool seating
There’s even service at the pool. Once you pick a seat they’ll bring you cold towels and water, and they’ll rearrange your slippers, fold your bathrobe, etc.
Funny enough I didn’t think there was any service at the pool, but then eventually I realized there was one of those mirrors they have in an interrogation room (whatever it’s called), so you’re always being watched. So don’t embarrass yourself. 😉
Aman Tokyo pool service
The spa also has a steam room, sauna, and whirlpool, which is complimentary for guests.
Aman Tokyo spa
Aman Tokyo spa
We were the only ones there, though as is the norm in Japan, you had to be naked. I’m sorry, but that’s not happening. I’ve already had the experience of running into a reader under similar circumstances at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, and learned my lesson!
Aman Tokyo spa sign
The hotel also has an excellent gym open 24/7.
Aman Tokyo gym
Aman Tokyo gym
Aman Tokyo gym
Aman Tokyo service
The challenge with Aman is that you have certain expectations of service. As they say “a luxury once sampled becomes a necessity.” Or something like that. 😉
I’m starting to learn Aman isn’t very consistent, but once you experience some of the “magic” Aman touches, it’s hard to stay at an Aman and not notice when those aren’t offered.
So all things considered service was very good, though I wouldn’t say it’s magic in the way that service at some other Amans is. First of all, everyone was friendly, professional, generally eager to please, and helpful.
However, there were also some minor service snafus or things that I observed, which I wouldn’t mention, but we’re talking about an Aman, and Amans are supposed to be about near perfection:
- Unlike at other Amans, they don’t clean your room when you’re at breakfast, and quite to the contrary they sometimes only got to cleaning it in the afternoon
- We once went to dinner at 7:30PM and were back by 9PM and turndown service hadn’t yet been done; the hotel had made the reservation, so they knew what time we were having dinner
- When you check out of Amans they always give you a luggage tag from that property, and usually they subtly place it on your luggage as they help you with it; in this case they literally just handed us the luggage tags
- The check-out process took forever, and they had to manually write down my credit card and other info
These are all minor things, though I’d say overall service in the restaurant and lounge was very good (in line with my expectations), while the housekeeping and front office staff were “just” good.
Aman Tokyo lobby
Aman Tokyo bottom line
Aman Tokyo is an incredible city hotel. The hotel is breathtakingly beautiful, the standard rooms are huge, the service is good, and the spa, pool, and gym, are all top notch.
Service is very good, though I’d say not quite to the level of top Amans. That’s simply because that’s probably impossible to deliver when you have both hotel guests and outside visitors to deal with.
So, is this the world’s best city hotel? I think it might be. I can’t think of a better city hotel when you factor in all elements.
I’m really happy to have stayed at the Aman. Personally I’d probably just redeem points at the Andaz or another Tokyo hotel next time and come here for a drink. Tokyo is a market with so many great hotels, so I want to try out more of them.
If you’ve stayed at Aman Tokyo, what was your experience like? What’s your favorite city hotel in the world?
| Want to receive extra benefits for your stay at Aman Tokyo, including complimentary breakfast, a space available room upgrade, a property credit, and more? Contact [email protected] for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked. |
ok Lucky I have been to Tokyo many times on business, but going with my family (3 kids) to Tokyo for Spring 2023. Which hotel would be the best??: Aman, Mandarin, Park Hyatt, Hoshinoya, Ritz, 4-Seasons or Andaz??????
At those prices...me thinks not!
There's nothing wrong with the Comfort Hotel Tokyo Kanda - and it's a fraction of the price.
@greg we also had issues with the concierge. Yashu?
Wonderfully nice man but set our trip on the wrong trajectory several times.
I’ve stayed at the PH, Conrad, Hoshinoya, Aman, and Mandarin in Tokyo. The Mandarin is by far my favourite, but the Hoshinoya is the most special and unique. I agree with the inconsistency of the Aman Tokyo. The thing that really underwhelmed me was the concierge surprisingly. I do agree it has the best room service breakfast but Tokyo hotels are one of the few places I actually enjoy leaving the room.
@Lucky And did you see the perhaps surprising news that Aman is planning 3 (!) properties in Saudi Arabia!
Lucky - It's called a one-way mirror.
Best city hotel? My wife and I stayed one night at Park Hyatt Tokyo and then the second at Aman Tokyo. Although Park Hyatt is dated, the service there may be better (particularly if you have stayed many times in the past). But there is one thing Aman Tokyo does better than anywhere in the world, IMHO: room service breakfast. We had an extraordinary continental breakfast, as varied and colorful (3 glasses of different colored Aman juices) as a Kaiseki meal).
It's hard for me to imagine that however rich I was I would ever pay these kind of obscene prices to stay in a hotel in a big city where there are so many other things to do rather than just hanging out in a hotel. A resort hotel, maybe.
I enjoy reading your reviews of these places I will never go,though.
Lobby is impressive but.....
downward slide for Aman continues....luggage tags? Good luck, last few times I stayed at Aman they were not available.
Wait a second. They just offer set breakfast and that`s it? While I value an a-la-carte brekfast with high quality dishes, I`ve been to many hotels where they set up a small buffet apart from that.
Especially when I am on a city trip, I prefer to have a huge breakfast, a snack for lunch and spoil myself for dinner.
The architecture looks beautiful though! Maybe it`s time for a post where you mention...
Wait a second. They just offer set breakfast and that`s it? While I value an a-la-carte brekfast with high quality dishes, I`ve been to many hotels where they set up a small buffet apart from that.
Especially when I am on a city trip, I prefer to have a huge breakfast, a snack for lunch and spoil myself for dinner.
The architecture looks beautiful though! Maybe it`s time for a post where you mention the top/worst 3 Amans you have visited? After your recent reviews I am just struggling to risk that huge amount of money for a non-consistent service-level.
The lobby lounge is stunning but looks very similar to Conrad Tokyo's.
Really don't understand the point of staying at Aman's. Really a joke of a waste of money. I'd rather come for a few drinks and call it a day. Much better hotels to stay at in Japan. Credit card referrals and clicks must be paying nicely. Or your trust fund.
Just stayed there for two nights. The design is impeccable, the room is gorgeous. The service isn’t up there, we had multiple issues and the bar staff seems untrained, at least for these standards. I would pick the Park Hyatt in Tokyo anytime over Aman on future visits, Aman misses personality.
@Schar- agreed that Fasano is a winner (and for me its my favorite city hotel). The hotel just exudes style by the architects and by the staff. The rooftop spa is also a hidden pleasure.
Aman, for me, always seems stiff and cold.
Wow, 2500 yen for a basic vodka cocktail is not out of line, not even specifying one single premium ingredient? In Japan alcohol is cheap in restaurants and bars as they want to drive people in for the food. Most classics wrongly composed as well, tells me about quality delivery VS architecture.
However, being open to public is not bad with those prices, will offset the cost of labor for serving the public areas...
Wow, 2500 yen for a basic vodka cocktail is not out of line, not even specifying one single premium ingredient? In Japan alcohol is cheap in restaurants and bars as they want to drive people in for the food. Most classics wrongly composed as well, tells me about quality delivery VS architecture.
However, being open to public is not bad with those prices, will offset the cost of labor for serving the public areas for hotel guest and hopefully make that more consistent even in a financial downturn where two rounds of drinks for two would get you a room in Tokyo (where you barely stay in the hotel anyhow) but give the “Aman experience” anyhow...
@ Chris -- You're not paying for the drink, you're paying for the setting. Arguably it's ridiculous to pay $10 for a cocktail when you could make one at home. ;) It won't be for everyone, but I do think it could be worth it for someone who wants to visit the hotel without staying there.
Like the FS Tokyo... leaves me uncompelled to visit. I hope to try the Mandarin soon! Pen and Ritz? Oh man, sweet memories I will cherish forever... though in reality, give me any clean hotel with metro access and I will enjoy Tokyo anytime. Special place + people.
I, too, love Hoshinoya and prefer it over Aman. You certainly get a more unique experience at Hoshinoya.
I love Aman Tokyo. For a brief moment back when it opened the lobby and bar weren't open to the public, so it was extremely private, which I loved, it felt properly Aman, which at it's best feels more like a friend's beautiful residence at which you are a guest. But even now that Aman Tokyo is by comparison busy, it's still an architectural masterpiece that is a joy to spend time in. And in...
I love Aman Tokyo. For a brief moment back when it opened the lobby and bar weren't open to the public, so it was extremely private, which I loved, it felt properly Aman, which at it's best feels more like a friend's beautiful residence at which you are a guest. But even now that Aman Tokyo is by comparison busy, it's still an architectural masterpiece that is a joy to spend time in. And in my experience at least, the service is still very personal for guests. I was there for cherry blossoms this year and various assistant managers kept coming up to me and introducing themselves and offering me their cards, maybe just because I'm weirdly addicted to cigars and spend each night in the cigar room and become a recognizable face during my stay. Obviously the best hotel in Tokyo. Too hard to compare to old-world European city hotels. Also, the Romanian bartender is hot, can we say that on here?
@ lucky — German parents, German speaking, German passport, and loves the special Lufthansa treatment for Germans but can’t acclimate to Japanese bathing culture whereas German bathing culture isn’t even gender segregated?!?
One of the more mind boggling segments I’ve read on the website, lol.
@ Leo Guam -- Hah, in fairness, I'm not someone who likes pools, oceans, or anything with water. I try to limit my exposure to water when I drink it and when I shower.
I can't understand how this is the "best city hotel in the world". looks average to me. Have you visited Fasano or Palacio Tangara in Sao Paulo? Go there first and then and only then make that claim ;)
btw loving the reviews Lucky keep it up!!! i missed them.
What a gorgeous review, Ben. Boy, this is a fun week for us readers!
Not better than four seasons seoul
Ben
going to Tokyo for a few days in January for the first time. Where would you recommend to stay
that would be central for shopping and good food
Thanks
Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho Luxury Collection. That is my "go to" hotel in Tokyo
Agreed with others that Hoshinoya next door probably offers a better value, especially booked early they have big discounts. The concept is so unique, and the rooftop onsen is pretty cool. Its really too bad they don't have any sort of views except the offices nearby.
I'm just here to read negative comments from people who've never stayed here and probably never will. Love Aman Tokyo. The financial district is so wonderfully quiet at night.
-1 for not respecting onsen bathing traditions. The same would go at a Korean bath/spa. If they go as far as to put up a sign, respect it or don't partake. It's just nudity. Calm down.
Hoshinoya in Tokyo has better service than Aman Tokyo. While Aman Tokyo is more grand, Hoshinoya Tokyo beats Aman Tokyo in terms of essence. Hoshinoya is Japanese to the bone in a ryokan way while Aman Tokyo just looks Japanese if you know what I mean. The open sky onsen at Hoshinoya Tokyo is everything!
When booking 2+ nights through Virtuoso, do you book one night to your name and following to other travel companions name to receive 100 F&B credit each night?
@gary
I've stayed at the hoshinoya and it blew my mind. It was one of the best hotels I've been too. And while I don't have a bible-sized catalogue of comparison I can say it was extremely good. They discount the rate by 60 percent if you book 5 nights or more so it's still ~400 AUD a night but totally worth every cent! Period.
@Michelle
They are separated by sex in Japan.
At some hotels for free or a small fee you can get a private room that can be shared with a person of the opposite sex.
Gosh. I get that Lucky needed a cold shower after seeing the Aman lobby (but then again, not everybody gets excited over minimalist design). However, absolutely nothing of this seems of value, especially by comparison with the R-C Tokyo, which, in itself, is outrageous in charging those prices for lounge access.
So perplexing how Lucky still goes out of his way to visit overpriced-and-under-delivering Amans, and always complains about them (service in particular) in...
Gosh. I get that Lucky needed a cold shower after seeing the Aman lobby (but then again, not everybody gets excited over minimalist design). However, absolutely nothing of this seems of value, especially by comparison with the R-C Tokyo, which, in itself, is outrageous in charging those prices for lounge access.
So perplexing how Lucky still goes out of his way to visit overpriced-and-under-delivering Amans, and always complains about them (service in particular) in every review. I can only surmise that he is somehow on the take from Aman.
@Lucky, I agree with @David in that it's unclear whether or not you refrained from using the spa or if you wore your bathing suit. Either way, the modesty issue can be easily avoided by using a towel (usually a thin, hand towel sized one specifically made for Japanese baths) to cover yourself.
Also, I agree with the other commenters. While it seems like a very nice hotel, calling it the world's best city hotel seems like a stretch.
Sofitel So Bangkok. Lacroix, sweetie. Lacroix.
Thank for the solid review. I would love to try out one of these luxury places.
I have some favorites I have stayed at in the past year for around $150-200 range which I can recommend. Candeo Hotels Roppongi, Mitsui Garden Gotanda, and Hamacho Hotel Nihombashi are all new and modern hotels that provide solid city hotel experiences.
Lucky, was the reader you saw at Park Hyatt Tokyo also naked like you? If so, then what's the problem?
@Ryan +1 on the Hyatt Regency. I'm a cheapskate too and it was plenty nice for me for free nights. Frequent hotel shuttle to/from Shinjuku which is nice after walking 20K steps/day.
I've only stayed at one Aman at the Summer Palace, Beijing. It was very nice and unique. Quite a treat. Nonetheless, the service was lacking in 2012.
I am enjoying these Aman series.
Quite interesting to see how a chain has made it their mission/business model to take people for a ride while pretending to offer "luxury".
Like others mentioned, this doesnt even look like/act like a 4* hotel.
I understand youre loaded, but do you not ever cringe at spending $50 for a 3 little sausages and a spoonful of eggs? Why would anyone eat that in a city that has so many fantastic places to eat?
@Vanya - I completely agree and based on Lucky’s photos and reviews of both, I would prefer the Ritz option if I had to choose.
Park Hyatt Tokyo looks better.
Are you going to discuss why Tokyo has overtaken HK for you in any of the reviews? If not, why has it?
@Steven P
Mid-October will be extra-ridiculous given the Rugby World Cup and the Emperor's coronation ceremony are around that time. Later in August is around $900 US and random dates in February were pricing around $1000-1100 US.
@GoAmtrak: I completely agree with you.
@Lucky: It is unclear whether you bathed with swimsuits, or whether you refrained from bathing at all. Please clarify,
Sounds horrible that there is a smoking section in the lobby lounge.
Do men & women share the hot tub pool or are they separated?
Find me at the Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku (better area) for 12,000 points a night (way better value). Great lounge as well.
My wife and I stopped by for drinks when we visited Tokyo last year. I have to echo Ben's comment that the lobby here is jaw-dropping. It was absolutely an astounding place for an afternoon cocktail, and we maybe/definitely had more drinks than we had originally planned on account of how incredible it was.
Actually what they say is, "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.”
As this is Aman's first city hotel, I think it would have been a better angle for your review to explore how well you think the brand did in adapting its traditionally resort-oriented brand to a city environment. Labeling it as the world's best city hotel seems like hyperbole, especially when, with respect, you mostly stay at chain hotels and so don't seem to have a lot of experience staying at many of the independent...
As this is Aman's first city hotel, I think it would have been a better angle for your review to explore how well you think the brand did in adapting its traditionally resort-oriented brand to a city environment. Labeling it as the world's best city hotel seems like hyperbole, especially when, with respect, you mostly stay at chain hotels and so don't seem to have a lot of experience staying at many of the independent ultra-luxury hotel properties that would likely fall under that heading.
Your bottom line about "the best city hotel" sounds strange, since your Ritz Carlton review seemed far more glowing.
Ordering 'sausages' for Breakfast or anything that is included in the awful "English Breakfast" in a luxury Japanese property should be a public offense punishable by law.
WOW! Just WOW! How can you guys manage to book hotel rooms for $800, or lounge upgrade for $300 as if it was peanuts?????
Are these paid by your corporate employers???
Please let me know as I am definitely not on the right career path to afford even one fifth of these INSANE Rates!!
So, what is the best Aman, Lucky? Amankila?
@Bgriff: Good point. Tokyo has seen a ton of 5-star skyscraper hotel development over the past decade and many of them are comparably modern, sleek and beautiful. I had great stays at the Palace Hotel and the Capitol Hotel Tokyu which seemed to have a similar design aesthetic as the Aman (lots of greys, clean lines, light-coloured woods, sophisticated stone finishings etc). I still think the Aman's cathedral-like lobby is particularly impressive, but everything I...
@Bgriff: Good point. Tokyo has seen a ton of 5-star skyscraper hotel development over the past decade and many of them are comparably modern, sleek and beautiful. I had great stays at the Palace Hotel and the Capitol Hotel Tokyu which seemed to have a similar design aesthetic as the Aman (lots of greys, clean lines, light-coloured woods, sophisticated stone finishings etc). I still think the Aman's cathedral-like lobby is particularly impressive, but everything I read about it is disappointing considering the price point relative to other new Tokyo 5-stars.
@Jason I read that more charitably, that maybe they skipped the bath entirely?
Anyway, it's kind of amazing that this simple, clean, austere design aesthetic is considered "Far Eastern luxury" and not more widely in use. The finishings in the room don't seem any more lavish than the average Marriott, but way more tasteful. I had the same impression from my club room at the Grand Hyatt ICN: Why can't more hotels in all but...
@Jason I read that more charitably, that maybe they skipped the bath entirely?
Anyway, it's kind of amazing that this simple, clean, austere design aesthetic is considered "Far Eastern luxury" and not more widely in use. The finishings in the room don't seem any more lavish than the average Marriott, but way more tasteful. I had the same impression from my club room at the Grand Hyatt ICN: Why can't more hotels in all but the cheapest price range be like this? Is there really not more of a market in the West for it (setting aside the height or firmness of the bed)?
Same could be said for Japanese breakfast and bento boxes, but maybe it's just me!
Have a hard time seeing this being the best city hotel in the world. Is it a beautifully designed hotel? Yes it is. But I don't know if this is even the best hotel in Tokyo. The Peninsula, Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, and Park Hyatt are all probably better IMO. Hell, with the cost of this, I'd probably have a better time for much better value at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi.
Too bad this didnt include Hoshinoya Tokyo which is literally a block away. I was deciding between Aman and Hoshinoya and ultimately decided with the latter.
@Justin -- and while the design does look pretty, there are plenty of pretty hotels out there (and tons of pretty spas at high-end hotels). I'm not sure the Aman is even any prettier than the Prince Gallery Tokyo, other than the room being bigger at the Aman than at the PG.
I agree with @BGriff. The design does look very beautiful, but I'm challenged to think that it could truly be the "world's best city hotel" when you consider the service issues you highlighted. If you read a broad consensus of reviews, you'll see others have noted that the Aman Tokyo isn't quite 100% for the ultra-luxury standard, so your points about them missing turn-down and not being highly personalised were not just one-off mis-steps.
Similar experience. Check out took 20-30 mins, extremely incompetent concierge, probably at 4-star level.
Definitely not up to Ritz Park Pen FS standard.
The nightly rates are staggering. $1876 on a Monday night in mid-October, for example.
It’s actually considered a pretty big offense not to respect the nude bathing rule in japan. Especially at onsen. I’ve done it with groups of friends when I’ve been there, and that’s what you’re supposed to do. Weird at first but that’s the culture. Kind of arrogant of you not to respect the local culture
I think I stayed in the same room as yours 2 years ago. Question: how did you like the bed ? Mine felt like 2 really old and tired mattresses put together. There was a huge bump in the middle and I had to complain about it because I was honestly barely able to sleep. They tried adding more padding on the top but it didn't help much.
Other than that the service at...
I think I stayed in the same room as yours 2 years ago. Question: how did you like the bed ? Mine felt like 2 really old and tired mattresses put together. There was a huge bump in the middle and I had to complain about it because I was honestly barely able to sleep. They tried adding more padding on the top but it didn't help much.
Other than that the service at the bar did not go well for me, they forgot about me twice. But other than that , I agree with you, the lobby is breathtaking and I think the room is as well. Spent hours reading on that day bed!
I'm having a hard time placing how this can be the world's best city hotel when it doesn't even sound like a particularly remarkable city hotel.