Aman Tokyo Japan Hotel Review

Hotel Overview:

Aman Tokyo is an intimate, glamorous, urban oasis occupying the top floors of the Otemachi Tower, high above the buzzing megalapolis of Tokyo. The tone is set by the 33^rd floor breathtaking lobby which resembles a gigantic art gallery with its vast light filled open spaces, low symmetrical seating and soaring 30-meter high ceiling made of translucent Washi rice paper and designed to resemble the inside of a traditional Japanese shoji lantern. Besides the phenomenal lobby, the other highlight of this property is the spectacular and serene Zen-like spa, which spans an epic 2,500 sqm over two floors and is a minimalist sun-drenched retreat including a sleek 30-metre pool lined with natural materials, a soothing onsen-style stone bath and glass walls serving up spectacular views across the city. The hotel has 84 luxury rooms and suites that feature Aman’s signature understated minimalist style with a blend of traditional Japanese furnishings, such as washi paper sliding doors and a furo deep-soak bathtub. Add to the mix a signature restaurant serving up some of the best Italian food in the city and a stunning mood lit bar overlooking the cityscape and the green Imperial Palace gardens, and you have the ultimate refined and exclusive hospitality experience in the heart of Tokyo.

Ambiance & Vibe:

From the moment you walk through the lift doors past the understated reception area, and into its dramatic lobby in the heart of a 30-metre-high atrium, you are enveloped in a Zen like mood and feel a sense of relaxation. A mix of traditional Japanese materials, fabrics and textures creates the distinctive soothing ambiance, while the senses soak in the reflective water pond, meditative rock gardens and beautiful floral display (in our case a cheery blossom tree to reflect the season) taking center stage. This tranquil atmosphere permeates throughout the huge open lobby, including the restaurant, lounge bar, library and cigar room all of which are silhouetted against the backdrop of the floor-to-ceiling windows revealing the spectacular Tokyo cityscape. The atrium is designed evoke the intimate and warm feeling of being within a giant shoji lantern and this is accented by the soft and natural colors such as slate grey and beige materials used in the common areas and the actual lanterns placed throughout the hotel.

Aman Tokyo Lobby

Aman Tokyo bar seating area

Aman Tokyo Arva Restaurant

Aman Tokyo Lobby seating

Cherry Blossom centerpiece

Aman Tokyo Spa Swimming Pool

Aman Tokyo Rock Garden

Guests at Aman Tokyo

Lobby at Aman Tokyo

Aman Tokyo lobby bar

Design & Style:

Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, Aman Tokyo is a monument to modern day Japan, where urban dynamism is tempered with serenity. Featuring black basalt, camphor wood and tactile stone, the architecture is both minimalist, respecting Japanese traditions and monumental at the same time. The magnificent lobby occupies four stories of space and is designed to create an urban retreat. The dramatic sense of scale is highlighted by the contrast of the high translucent ceiling and low seating areas. An artful mix of traditional Japanese ryokan (Japanese Inn) design heritage and modern minimalism permeates the décor with the use of wood, paper and stone and Japanese art works in the interiors, juxta positioned against a backdrop of massive floor to ceiling windows offering epic city views. The minimalist Zen-like décor of the 84 rooms and suites also draws from the design heritage of traditional Japanese residential structures, including the use of earth tone fabrics, Shoji screens, abstract calligraphy scrolls, tatami mat rugs, earthy ceramics and camphor wooden boxes containing seasonal fruits, with the signature deep soaking stone bath tubs, intrinsic to Japanese bathing rituals.

Aman Tokyo Lounge

Aman Tokyo design

Aman Tokyo Reception

Aman Tokyo Lobby

Aman Tokyo Bar

Aman Tokyo Flower Centerpiece

Aman Tokyo design

Accommodation:

Elegant and minimalist accommodations reflect a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Ryokan design and feature chestnut pine floors, sunken living areas and floor-to-ceiling windows with impressive cityscape views, baths with deep soaking volcanic rock hot tubs and separate walk-in showers and the very popular heated automated Japanese toilets.

The 84 very spacious guest rooms are some of the largest in Japan: The Deluxe Rooms (71sqm) face the Imperial Palace Gardens and have a combined living and bedroom area, lounge chairs, day bed and a writing desk. The Premier Rooms (80sqm) overlook the Tokyo Skytree and have a larger foyer. The Suites (141sqm) are larger with a dining table. The Corner Suites (121sqm) have superb views and have a separate living and dining room. The Aman Suites (157sqm) provide the best views over the Imperial Palace Gardens and Skytree. All room are designed with the customary Japanese way of living in mind and furnished with the latest mod cons such as heated bathroom floors, retractable TV screens from the desk and automated blinds. Floor to ceiling windows fill the room with light and the beds face the windows so the minute you wake up you are greeted by awesome views of the Tokyo skyline. Wardrobes are hidden behind “Shoji” sliding doors screens, and the bathrooms feature the über-modern automated Japanese toilet sectioned off, with a walk-in shower that leads up to a Japanese bath looking out over the city.

One of the unique guest experiences that Aman Tokyo provides in its rooms is the mini spa experience with the heated slate floors, large Furo deep soaking tub against the window, open shower area and the provision for “Yakuyu herbal bath ritual” in each guest’s bathroom including a booklet of instructions for taking the bath, a wooden stool, a wooden water spoon and a seasonal fruit such as yuzu (citron).

Aman Tokyo Deluxe Room

Aman Tokyo Premier Room

Aman Tokyo bathroom

Aman Tokyo Furo soaking tub in suite

Aman Tokyo soaking bathtub

Dining:

The primary fine dining restaurant at Aman Tokyo is Arva, which is famous for its delicious cuisine, mixing Japanese flavours with Italian dishes, benefiting from local and fresh vegatables and seafood plus imported Italian ingredients. This restaurant specialises in cuisine from Italy’s Veneto region on the Adriatic Sea.

Arva: Located on the 33^rd floor lobby area, Arva is a new elegant Italian dining concept conceived by Executive Chefs Stefano Artosin and Andrea Torre. This unique new dining experience is based on inventive Italian cooking techniques, utilising simple, locally-sourced ingredients. Paying tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage, Arva celebrates the shared enjoyment of uncomplicated flavours in a warm and welcoming atmosphere and serves up an exquisite Venetian inspired dining (paired with local Japanese vegetables, meats and seafood) experience in sumptuous surroundings with epic views of the Tokyo cityscape, the Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji. Arva offers an extensive a la carte menu and several tasting menus and we had the 7 course Stagione tasting menu paired with wine and were seated by the window, with fantastic sunset views of the Imperial Gardens and the Tokyo skyline.

Aman Tokyo Arva Restaurant

Arva Restaurant Aman

Lounge by Aman: Located on the 33^rd floor lobby areas and serves afternoon teas and light lunches.

Aman Tokyo Lobby Lounge

Café by Aman: is located near the ground floor entrance, with outdoor seating and a French bistro-style menu.

The Cafe by Aman Tokyo

Hotel Bar: Located on the 33^rd floor lobby area the décor of this stunning bar is accented by the line of shoji paper lanterns glowing softly above the bar counter; serves Aman’s signature cocktails and light meals.

Aman Tokyo bar

The amazing fine dining experience at Arva - Aman Tokyo:

Service:

The highly trained and polished Aman staff stand out for their courtesy, helpfulness and warmth right from the time you arrive at the mini-reception on the ground floor, till the time you check out and throughout all points of guest interactions in the hotel. The atmosphere is relaxed and conducive to more in-dept interactions with the staff. Our service while having dinner at Arva was memorable, with the staff providing Michelin star level attention and anticipation of our requests and provided helpful suggestions to navigate the menu and extensive cocktail list.

Facilities & Activities:

Facilities: Aman Tokyo’s vast 2,000 sqm spa welcomes its guests to its luxurious peaceful sanctuary and provides a large range of treatments and therapies, based on Japanese principles of nature and balance. There, you can try the typical hot baths or swim observing the city below in a 30-metres volcanic rock indoor heated pool, and even exert yourself at the fully equipped gym.

Aman Spa: The Zen-like Aman Spa is an urban sanctuary and is Tokyo’s largest and most comprehensive hotel spa covering 2,500 square meters on two floors. Offering breathtaking views, it features Japanese wellness traditions such as Zen philosophy, meditation and Kampo in eight treatment rooms each with a dressing room, treatment area, bathroom, steam shower and relaxation area. Choose from a range of treatments, including shiatsu or hot stone massages, reflexology and acupressure facials, or splurge on a seasonal journey spa treatment with your significant other.

Aman Tokyo massage room

Aman Tokyo Spa relaxation area

Fitness Center: The spacious, light-filled fitness center is equipped with the latest in cardiovascular and weight-training machinery from Technogym and Life Fitness. TRX and spinning bikes are available. There’s also a Yoga Studio & Pilates Studio, fully equipped with Allegro Reformers and other Pilates-specific apparatus. Private classes can be arranged.

Aman Tokyo gym

Infinity Pool: The 30 meter, heated and basalt-lined two story swimming pool is a sun-drenched enclave stretching across the skyscape. Comfortable daybeds positioned around the pool provide the ultimate perch from which to take in the panoramic city views. Facilities include steam rooms, traditional Japanese hot bath and relaxation areas.

Aman Tokyo pool

Aman Tokyo Spa

Wine Cellar: with 1,200 wines on offer

Aman Tokyo glass wine cellar

Library:

Aman Tokyo Library

Cigar Lounge:

Aman Tokyo Cigar Lounge

Activities:

Aman is located in the heart of Tokyo and you can enjoy a short walk to the Ginza and to the Imperial Palace Gardens. Tokyo mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers and the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection in Shibuya to the ancient Senso-ji Buddhist temple located in the historic Asakusa neighborhood. Must see attractions include the opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine which is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods and the imposing Imperial Palace with its huge public gardens. The hotel’s ace concierge team will help you plan your itinerary and transportation to see the city’s many cultural attractions, public parks, as well as organize food tours, cooking classes, bookings for sumo wrestling, fine dining restaurants, nightclubs as well as day trips to Mt. Fuji and nearby ski resorts or onsens.

Aman Tokyo rickshaw

Location:

The Aman Tokyo is located on the top 6 floors of the Otematchi Tower in the district of Chiyoda, Tokyo’s financial district. This central location represents a very convenient base from which to explore the Japanese capital for both leisure and business travelers. There is a subway station in the basement, while the central Tokyo station (from where you can take the Shinkansen bullet trains) and the Imperial Palace gardens are within walking distance. The offers spectacular panoramas of the Imperial Palace Gardens, the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, and surrounding Tokyo landmarks from all of the communal areas, rooms, and suites. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be observed at the horizon.

Chiyoda District, Tokyo

View from Aman Tokyo Lobby at night

Aman Tokyo Otemachi Tower

What We Love:

The spectacular lobby with its 30 meter high translucent ceiling, which is one of the most stunning out of any urban hotel in the world
The serene and Zen-like 2,500 sqm Spa, with its soaring glass walls and sleek 30 meter infinity pool with birds-eye views of the city
The spacious guest rooms, which (starting at 71 sqm) are some of the largest in Japan
The “mini spa experience” and window front deep soaking stone tubs with fabulous views in every guestroom
The exclusive and intimate uber luxe ambiance of the property
Fantastic views over the Tokyo skyline from the mood lit lobby lounge and bar
Superb location close to Imperial Palace Gardens and Tokyo Station

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Tokyo is during the very popular Sakura season, between March and April, and again from September to November. Autumn ushers in colorful foliage and comfortable temperatures. Spring brings in much of the same, but instead of vibrant fall hues, the foliage you’ll see here are cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Sightseeing, outdoor activities, parks and gardens are at their best during the Spring and Autumn seasons.