Review - Park Hyatt Tokyo

Staying at Park Hyatt Tokyo, we discovered that it has much more going for it than being a famous backdrop for the 2003 movie Lost in translation. This landmark property in the heart of the busy Shinjuku district is recognised as one of the top luxury hotels in Tokyo. And although the style feels as if nothing has changed since its opening in 1994, we enjoyed the sober interiors and the sophisticated atmosphere that pervades the hotel. Park Hyatt Tokyo takes you back in time. When the jazz band starts to play in the evening at New York Grill & Bar, all we felt was missing was Frank Sinatra. If you want to do Tokyo in style, Park Hyatt is a good choice.

Park Hyatt Tokyo is about 15 minutes walking distance from the Shinjuku train station, the busiest train station in the world. Shinjuku is also an important business & nightlife district. If exhausted by Tokyo traffic, return to nature by visiting the large Yoyogi Park, a 25-minute walk from the hotel. The closest airport to Park Hyatt Tokyo is Haneda.

Rooms at Park Hyatt Tokyo are very spacious. Even the entry-level Standard Room is 45 square metres in size. We stayed at a Park View King that offers 60 square metres and incredible views on two sides - on one side we had Yoyogi Park, on the other Mount Fuji - through large windows.

The design is not trendy. Instead, the interior feels very solid, with a colour scheme that is earthy and soothing, almost zen-like. A home away from home. Large bathrooms come with fabulous views, even from the bathtub. Egyptian cotton bedding and Aesop toiletries impress. A nice touch was the cotton yukata robes in the closet. Nespresso machine and a selection of Japanese teas are also provided.

The service was flawless throughout our stay. The staff go out of their way to assist. Ask the concierge for anything, they won’t disappoint. Make sure to check out the pool and gym at Club On The Park for more views to die for.

This 177-room property occupies the 39th to 52nd floor of one of three glass towers designed by Kenzo Tange, known for his contributions to modern Japanese architecture. The design scheme features granite, marble and lots of windows and mirrors. There is an abundance of fine woodwork, hand-tufted carpets, and woven wall coverings. American interior designer John Morford has provided a consistent theme, reminding us of a New York Penthouse. Morford wanted hotel guests to feel at home within Tange’s impressive granite and glass sculpture.

When visiting the food mecca that is Tokyo, you have an abundance of world-class gastronomic options on your doorstep.

Regardless, Park Hyatt Tokyo offers excellent choices for dining. You can have Japanese breakfast or a lovely continental breakfast at Girandola, Japanese lunch at Kozue, and enjoy dinner at the legendary New York Bar & Grill. We especially enjoyed the Wagyu beef burger at New York Bar & Grill while taking in the vibe of the jazz band and nighttime city views. A must-do experience.

Sophisticated travellers wanting to do Tokyo in style will not fail in this timeless establishment. It’s also somewhat child-friendly, thanks to the big pool.