Review / 1 Hotel Tokyo offers a green-focused retreat in the Japanese capital, with a Bamford spa
1 Hotels – which has outposts in cities like London, Copenhagen, Melbourne and West Hollywood – has opened its first Asian location in Akasaka, Tokyo
As a long-time fan of 1 Hotels – the US-based, sustainability-minded brand – I have been very much looking forward to the opening of 1 Hotel Tokyo, the chain’s only property in Asia-Pacific. Operated by Starwood, 1 Hotels has very little presence beyond the US – 1 Hotel Mayfair in London, 1 Hotel Copenhagen and 1 Hotel Melbourne are its only outposts outside the country – but it has already built a loyal following among luxury lovers who like to travel responsibly and stylishly.
Located in Akasaka Trust Tower, a mixed-used high-rise in the tony area of Akasaka, 1 Hotel Tokyo is a short walk from the monumental Imperial Palace and buzzy Roppongi. The expansive and bright lobby, located on the 38th floor of the building, sets the tone for the entire property. Conceived as a Zen garden in the sky, the hotel’s interiors feature a mix of wood and stone, and plenty of greenery. A whopping 1,500 plants, bonsai and trees decorate the property’s public areas, and 211 rooms and suites. A dedicated team of gardeners meticulously tend to them every day.
Lest you think this is all a bunch of greenwashing, the hotel also walks the talk. All accommodations are equipped with filter taps, refillable glass containers and toiletries from British skincare label Bamford in aluminium vessels. A recycling programme allows guests to get rid of unwanted items such as tattered T-shirts or old workout clothes. Hourglasses set to three minutes in every shower remind guests to be conscious of water consumption.
Sustainability efforts aside, 1 Hotel Tokyo is first and foremost a world-class five-star property that will please ever-demanding high-end travellers. The spacious rooms – with lovely sitting areas overlooking Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Gardens and the city’s constantly changing skyline – are tasteful and soothing cocoons of luxury. 1 Hotel Tokyo also offers all the amenities you’d expect from a hotel of its calibre, from a fully equipped gym to an indoor pool with a lovely outdoor terrace.
Much like 1 Hotel West Hollywood – one of the most happening places in Los Angeles – the Tokyo branch, which only opened last month, attracts a cool crowd of stylish locals and chic travellers. Spotted Stone, its lively bar, offers more than 110 craft gins from Japan. It’s a great place for a nightcap after dinner at NiNi. Helmed by Nikko Policarpio, the restaurant offers a delightful surf-and-turf take on the cuisine of the French Riviera with Japanese influences, which shines in dishes such as shrimp carpaccio (Hokkaido Botan shrimp, carrot jus, ikura, parsley oil) and michinoku half chicken confit (jus de poulet, sweet and sour orange).
