Review of Prince Akatoki London

Great Cumberland Place runs from Marble Arch, Oxford Street and Hyde Park to the south, George Street to the north and runs parallel with Edgeware Road - in the district of Marylebone. This is one of London's most desirable areas, and counts Baker Street (221b - Sherlock Holmes' residence), the northern end of Regent's Street and the southern fringe of Regent's Park as notable markers.

The district is serviced by several underground stations - including Marble Arch, Edgeware Road, Baker Street and of course - Marylebone - which also has an overground station with stops that include Birmingham, Banbury (near Oxford), Bicester (Village), and Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare country).

While the hotel - at 50 Great Cumberland Place - is not in the centre of Mayfair or Belgravia - the rest of London is easily accessible by all modes of transport. From the front door of Prince Akatoki, it's a long, enjoyable walk, short stuffy underground journey, jittery bus route or traffic-frustrating taxi ride to London's main shopping areas (Bond Street, Oxford Street, Knightsbridge), museums (Kensington), art galleries (Trafalgar Square and Mayfair), River Thames, Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and the River Thames. 

A point of interest on Great Cumberland Place is a statue of Raoul Gustaf Wallenberg - the Swedish industrialist who saved thousands of Jews from the Nazis and Hungarian fascists, during World War 2. 

Eurostar and St Pancras International Station are around 20 minutes journey time by either car or tube, whilst Paddington Station for the Heathrow Express and Victoria Station for the Gatwick Express are both around a 15-minute car ride.  By car, London Gatwick Airport is around a one-and-a-half-hour journey time whilst London Heathrow Airport is a little closer at just around a 60-minute drive, depending on traffic.

There are just 82 rooms & suites in The Prince Akatoki London. 

There are six categories of accommodation from Superior Rooms (21 square metres) to Deluxe Rooms (23 square metres), then Executive Rooms (29 square metres), Executive Junior Suites (36 square metres), Studio Suites (44 square metres) and finally One Bedroom Suites (47 square metres). 

It would be fair to say that they are not the largest rooms in London but because they are so brilliantly minimal and fabulously bright, they “feel” large. There are queen-sized beds is most rooms but also king-sized in the largest ones. There is not a futon in sight!

Every room is designed in a contemporary-Japanese style but with touches of Britishness and there's even a hint of the original 19th century architecture. 

While the Chinese have feng shui, the Japanese have fusui - belief that the arrangement and flow of energy in the environment can impact one's harmony and well-being. Everything in the guestrooms flow … perfect fusui.

All the furniture, from the beds to table & chairs are crafted from blond-wood. As expected, everything is cleaner than clean - especially the lines and linens.

The Georgian floor-to-ceiling windows are a magnet for light during the day and at night feature black-out heavy curtains - curtailing sound and vision. 

The décor is of the minimalist school - as expected. No unecessary soft furnishings or colour to spoil the mellow, yellow, light brown and white hues. 

Everything is uncomplicated. 

The Nespresso machine, bedside telephone, state of the art television set and the unobtrusive designed alarm clock are the flashes of modernity. The mini-bar offers Champagne (Veuve) but also complimentary “good for you” beverages including delicious “pomegranite and green tea”. I hate it when healthy chocolate tastes so good … Prince Akatoki offers you that and it's a naughty delight at 2 a.m.!

In your wardrobe - beautiful slatted wood, light in colour, of course - you will find a yoga mat - with instructions in how to use it and a yukata - with instructions on how to wear it. It's a traditional Japanese bathrobe - and it's thin and comfy. Fear not, the bathroom holds a traditional Western fluffy bathrobe too - complete with outrageously comfortable slippers.

Some rooms feature a sofa/roll-out bed. The floors are mainly wood but feature the odd plush rug.

The bathrooms are magnificent. Some feature over-sized sunken bathtubs (with televisions built into the wall), most sizeable shower cubicles. There are wash-basins, more towels than you will ever need … and … a Japanese hands-free toilet (with obligatory remote control). The amenity products are from the New York bath & shower products company - MALIN+GOETZ.

Welcome plates and turndown gifts are tasty …. and collectible! 

If you are looking for “outrageous” luxury in your hotel room - with garish & gaudy colours, throws, paintings of 19th century royalty and gold taps, then The Prince Akatoki London is not for you. If you are looking for understated elegance, class and that oh-so-Japanese minimalism, then this hotel is perfect for you!

The hotel is both child and pet-friendly.

You are greeted at the front of 50 Great Cumberland Place by a smiling porter who offers to take your luggage. 

You then step into Osaka - I mean London - and The Prince Akatoki hotel.

The Prince Akatoki London has a scent which is mesmerising and quite alluring. It's their own fragrance - frankincense, bergamot, juniper and turmeric. Sutekina kaori - a lovely aroma indeed! To your right is a bright work area. Yes - it's hot-desking but it's very cool.

To your left, a seating area. In Winter, the modern enclosed gas fire keeps you warm & toasty. The sofa and seats are comfy. If you have just flown in from Tokyo or New York or taken the train from Banstead, beware, you may fall asleep on these cosy couches - even before you get to your guestroom. 

At Reception, you are welcomed - introduced to Concierge - there to help with anything & everything - and then shown to your “home”.

Before midday, there are smoothies on offer at Reception but for the rest of the day, there are bottles of Saicho Sparkling Tea on ice. Having discovered this amazing Japanese bubbly drink, Champagne will never be enough! AND it's non-alcoholic! Argh! There's a choice of Jasmine or Hojicha. The latter is a roasted green tea from Japan with a deep umami character and notes of nori seaweed, roasted hazelnut and delicate smoke, with dry and woody tannins. It - apparently - pairs well with sushi. 

On the hotel's lower ground floor sits The Prince Room - fifty square metres of boardroom, private dining facility or reception area. 

Also you will find the hotel's delightful gym - featuring Peleton bike, free weights, elliptical and running machines. The gym is open 24/7. The two tanked underground vaults, are ideal spaces for yoga, fitness classes or personal training. All this can be arranged through the Concierge. 

Don't forget, from your peaceful oasis - the whole of London awaits! 

If you have a hankering for more Japanese-inspired past-times head to the Kyoto Garden in nearby Holland Park, or the SOAS Japanese Roof Garden in Russell Square (15-minute walk from the hotel) or Katsute 100 in Islington (15-minute taxi ride) - which is an authetic-ish Japanese tea room!

The Prince Akatoki London is comprised of seven Georgian Grade-II-listed townhouses and two mews homes.

In 2001, it was the site of The Arch London hotel and before that was two budget properties - the Concorde and Branston Court.

In 2019, after a GBP 3 million refurbishment, The Prince Akatoki was opened.

I cannot emphasise enough that Prince Akatoki embodies the best of Japanese hospitality with a sprinkling of British culture in the mix.

From the warm greetings at the front door, to the efficient service, the Japanese sparkling tea welcome drink, to the room signs (in English and Japanese), the blond-wood, art work, highly-designed minimal furniture and furnishings, to the hotel's aroma - it's so … wonderful.

And then, there's the food & drink!

The Prince Akatori - led by Head Chef Gary Durrant (ex-The Savoy) - serves up delicious traditional Japanese cuisine but also international and fusion fare.

Your culinary day can either start with a room service breakfast or a visit to hotel restaurant for a Japanese breakfast. There is a buffet with fresh fruit, cereal and pastries. You can order a traditional English breakfast (bacon, eggs & more) but there is nothing better than the Akatoki Breakfast - complete with sticky rice, miso soup, grilled salmon and tamago omelette. 

Lunch is Bento Box Heaven! Choose from tonkatsu (with pork), karaage (with chicken), tempura (vegetables), salmon teriyaki and finally sushi. Available only at lunchtime, it is easily washed down with a saké (rice wine) or a sparkling tea.

Afternoon tea is best served in The Malt Lounge & Bar.

TOKii is the excellent signature restaurant - serving dinner from 6 - 10 p.m. every night. Local Japanese residents eat here … it really is that good!

There is a sushi counter and a robata grill if you don't fancy a “table meal”. But the evening menu is filled with fusion-dishes, Japanese mainstays and superb desserts.

Start with pork belly skewers - teriyaki Tokii style, followed by a salmon tataki - karashi su miso, then miso glazed black cod with sweetcorn fried rice and finish off with yuzu and raspberry brûlée! There is also sushi, sashimi, hot stone wagyu beef, and the Chef's famous robata grilled lobster with yuzu hollandaise, shichimi.

Ingredients are as a local as possible - but much comes from Japan - especially the saké - served hot, cold or at room temperature.

The dining room is very Japanese - dark wood tables, comfortable seating and open plan - while still offering a sweet level of intimacy.

The Malt Lounge & Bar offers guests and visitors more than just a drink! Here you can enjoy afternoon teas, cocktails and - of course - whiskies of the world!

Afternoon Tea is a fusion of Japan & British fare. Cup of tea, flute of Champagne or a wee bottle of saké. Also enjoy chicken teriyaki buns, salmon nigiri and sweet - sansho peppercorn strawberry pavlova. Japanese music is played throughout your filling afternoon culinary event.

On special days, the hotel serves up a Koto Afternoon Tea experience. Live string music from Japanese musician, Keiko Kitamura, enhances the afternoon service.

The hotel's Malt Lounge & Bar resident mixologists are at hand to create some fun & funky cocktails in the evenings. They use some interesting Japanese spirits - rum and whisky - to concoct unique creations. One I enjoyed: Okinawa - blended with Kiyomi Japanese Rum, Mild Mizuho 5 years Ryukyu Awamori, Kokuto Sugar, Shikuwasa Curacao, Lime Juice. It has a kick … but it's silky smooth! 

The Bar has an impressive collection of world whiskies - from Scotland, America, Ireland, India and Japan, of course. While in Japan, why not discover Japanese whisky - which is widely seen as some of the finest in the world. Start with Suntory - The Chita (single grain), meander through a Hinotory 5 year old and conclude with the Nikka Coffey Malt. My advice is to sit at the Bar and take in the tasting notes and chatter from the Bartender. 

The Malt Lounge & Bar is a well-designed room - leather seats, sliding fusuma panels and Japanese detailing. One of London's hidden gems. 

If I was looking for one word to describe the hotel's food & beverage offerings it would have to be: oishi … 

Measures currently in place include: motion detector lights LED lighting, hotel television systems that are all low energy. A Building Management System controls temperature system - ensuring that the temperature does not exceed 30 degrees. All windows are double-glazed. The hotel's Heating Exchange Unit-reclaims hot and cold air for energy (gas boilers). All food waste is recycled. 

Suppliers deliver in sustainable containers to minimise the use of plastic. Recycle coffee capsules in the guestrooms. Reducing single-use plastic in room amenities. Linen exchange program. Glass water bottles in guestrooms. Small bottles of bathroom amenities from MALIN+GOETZ  - one of the most sustainable brands on Earth.

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