Urban Escape
While there is growing demand for remote accommodation, there’s always room for a wellconceived city hotel. Here are the latest openings to book when city breaks make a comeback.
The Tokyo Edition Toranomon, Japan
Designed by Kengo Kuma, the celebrated Japanese architect behind Tokyo’s new Olympic Stadium, The Tokyo Edition Toranomon marks the brand’s debut in Japan and its third property in east Asia.
Located in a nexus of residential neighbourhoods and entertainment areas, The Tokyo Edition is a convenient base to get to know the city; guests will even be provided with a custom Edition x Tokyobike bicycle to ease that exploration. Each of the 206 guest rooms offers sweeping views of the skyline, but none like the Edition Penthouse, which enjoys a 180-degree view. Being an Ian Schrager property, it is certainly designed to make a splash: the lively lobby lounge overlooks the gleaming Tokyo Tower, and the restaurant’s 90-seater terrace is the only skyscraper outdoor dining of this scale in the Japanese capital. marriott.com
Six Senses Kocatas Mansion, Turkey
Eco-conscious hospitality brand Six Senses continues to grow its urban resort offerings with the addition of Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, which fully opens this month. Nestled in the well-heeled Sariyer district of Istanbul, the 45-room hotel is the result of the careful restoration and combination of two 19th-century mansions: Kocatas Mansions and the Sait Pasa Mansion next door.
The adaptive reuse project highlights the historical architectural features of the former Ottoman-era buildings, but your gaze will inevitably be drawn outdoors to the remarkable view of the Bosphorus strait. Best yet, staying here comes with access to the hotel’s private boat—ideal for bespoke excursions or a quick jaunt to another continent (the Asian side of Istanbul). sixsenses.com
Art House Basel, Switzerland
Using art to elevate a hotel is nothing revolutionary, but the new Art House Basel puts a slight twist on the formula. The 33-room property works closely with the nearby Colab Gallery, which curates a rotating selection of pieces that line the hotel’s walls, making every visit a chance to encounter fresh talent.
Crafted from concrete, black marble and granite, the six-storey building designed by local architecture practice Diener & Diener is a striking contrast from the traditional buildings in the Old Town district. Its prized location in the pedestrianised Steinenvorstadt area makes Art House Basel an optimal spot to visit Basel’s cultural gems, such as The Kunstmuseum, Town Hall, Natural History Museum and Museum of Cultures, which are all a short stroll away. arthousebasel.ch/en