Tried & Tested
Cathay Pacific 777 Business Class Los Angeles – Hong Kong Shangri La Tokyo
BACKGROUND: Opened in 2009, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is the Hong Kong-based hotel brand’s first property in Japan. The hotel takes up the 28th through 39th floors of the Marunouchi Trust Tower, directly behind Tokyo Station. WHAT'S IT LIKE?
Beautiful Asian design is enhanced by a collection of over 2,000 pieces of original artwork displayed throughout the property. There’s a discreet, street-level entrance with a mini-lobby; guests are then whisked to the main lobby on the 28th floor. The Marunouchi location is perfect for both leisure and business travelers. It’s in the core of the financial district but a short five minute walk from the Imperial Palace and other popular tourist areas like Nihonbashi and Akihabara.
The location, directly adjacent to Tokyo’s huge central station, is also good insurance against getting lost; when exploring the city, it’s always easy to get back to Tokyo Station. The hotel offers trackside“Meet and Greet” service, meeting guests at the train, handling their baggage and escorting them to the hotel lobby, doing the reverse on departure. Overall, I found the service at the Shangri-La deeply personal with staff members always referencing me by name. ROOMS:
Room design is what I would call“Contemporary Asian”and matches what you find at other Shangri-La properties, which is a good thing. My Deluxe Room had beautiful, sweeping views across Tokyo’s vast forest of buildings, with a view of the iconic Tokyo Tower to one side and Tokyo Bay on the other.
The bathroom, finished in different tones of marble featured a huge soaking tub and glass-enclosed rain shower in a‘wet room’with
a full glass wall separating it from the sleeping area. There is a privacy curtain, but the configuration allowed spectacular views of the Tokyo skyline from the tub and from the shower.
As a Horizon Club-level room guest, I enjoyed the Horizon Club lounge and its enhanced features including check-in/out in the lounge, access to conference room facilities and a dedicated concierge. The lounge serves a wonderful breakfast each morning, drinks and snacks throughout the day, afternoon tea and an evening cocktail hour with hot food. RESTAURANTS AND BARS:
The Shangri-La shines here with two standout options, in addition to a lobby lounge. Piacere serves authentic Italian food with beautiful views across Tokyo. As part of a program called “Going to the Source,”executive chef Andrea Ferrero travels throughout Japan to personally source products and meet with providers. The property also boasts a branch of Nadaman, a traditional Japanese restaurant first opened in Osaka in 1830 and serving a multi-course dinner experience. MEETING AND FITNESS FACILITIES:
The hotel is popular for groups and meetings and has extensive facilities to support them. A large ballroom and multiple meeting rooms are available, along with the property’s restaurants and some public spaces.
Fitness facilities are part of the hotel’s CHI spa featuring a 24-hour health club with a large heated indoor pool. A Jacuzzi, sauna and spa treatments, and massages are also available during business hours.
VERDICT:
The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo delivers a solid luxury experience in the heart of this energetic city. With rooms and suites that live up to the brand’s reputation for luxury, great dining options and a nice range of amenities, the hotel offers a more personal guest experience that the city’s other corporate luxury hotel options.