Review / Why Palace Hotel Tokyo is still the ultimate go-to for traditional Japanese hospitality: from its location beside the Imperial Palace and Gardens to its informal yet flawless service
The independent property in Marunouchi truly embodies the Japanese concept of omotenashi, and boasts 10 drinking and dining venues – including a collaboration with Alain Ducasse
When Palace Hotel Tokyo first opened in 2012, Japan was a very different place. Although back then Tokyo and Japanese cities such as its ancient capital, Kyoto, were already popular destinations – especially among Asian travellers – the country was not the tourist magnet it is now.
Thanks to a very favourable exchange rate and more tourist-friendly policies, Japan has become one of the most visited countries in the world over the last five years, leading to issues such as overtourism.
As a former resident of Japan, I still remember travelling to formerly off-the-beaten-track spots such as Kanazawa and standing out as one of the few foreigners in a city that is now trending on social media as “the alternative to Kyoto”. Fast forward almost two decades, and on a recent trip to another historic town, most of the staff at a five-star-hotel from an international chain couldn’t even speak Japanese.
There is obviously nothing wrong with Japan’s embrace of international tourism, but it has also come at the expense of a quintessential Japanese quality that has always made the country stand out as a very unique destination.
As one of the few luxury hotels in Tokyo not to be part of an international or Japanese chain, Palace Hotel Tokyo has still managed to adhere to that ineffable Japanese concept known as omotenashi, a no-strings-attached commitment to great service that is at the heart of Japanese hospitality.
The property needs no introduction to frequent Tokyo visitors. Standing next to the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace and Gardens in the upscale Marunouchi district, the hotel is privately owned by the Yoshihara family, who built it from scratch after tearing down the former Palace Hotel, which first opened in 1961.
All the suites and most of the guest rooms in the 23-storey structure come with balconies – a rarity in a dense city like Tokyo – providing sweeping views of the leafy surrounds. Fun fact: the reason not all the rooms have balconies is to protect the privacy and safety of the Japanese emperor and his family.
The prime real estate and central location are reasons enough to make the hotel your base for any visit to Tokyo. Marunouchi is a retail haven, different from nearby Ginza, where you find historic department stores such as Mitsukoshi and Matsuya, and the luxury flagships of Western brands. Independent labels and perennial favourites such as Japanese multi-brand boutiques Beams and United Arrows dot the area, while casual and upscale dining options are always buzzing with stylish locals.