Ritz-Carlton Tokyo (The)

Description:

• Of the several luxury hotels that have come online in Tokyo over the past few years, the Ritz-Carlton, opened in 2007, probably tops them all. That isn't hard considering it occupies the lofty upper reaches of Tokyo's tallest building, making it the highest hotel in a city that prides itself on skyscraper hotels. The crowning glory of Roppongi's Midtown urban renewal project, it boasts superlatives in almost every category you can think of, including Tokyo's largest rooms (starting at 52 sq. m/560 sq. ft.), its most expensive suite (¥2,100,000/$17,430/£8,820 in case you're considering it), and the city's highest ratio of nonsmoking rooms (80%). In contrast to the Ritz-Carlton in Osaka, which opts for an Old World atmosphere, the decor here is decidedly modern. Reception, on the 45th floor, is a handsome display of draped-glass chandeliers, large glass sculptures, abstract paintings hanging on polished wood walls, marble flooring, and two pools with flowing water below soaring ceilings. Oddly, views of the surrounding city are restricted to only a few select tables in the lobby lounge.

  That's remedied, of course, when guests are escorted to their rooms for individual check-in, where rooms from the 47th to 53rd floors provide eye-popping views of Tokyo in all its glory. Everything you'd expect from a top-rated hotel is here, including 40-inch flat-screen TVs, king-size (the majority) or two double beds, wireless telephones you can take with you anywhere in the hotel, a safe with plug-ins to recharge laptops, a good working desk, and -- great for couples -- two large closets. Bathrooms, which account for a third of the room's space, are the best I've seen in Japan and are also geared to couples, with two sinks, each with its own counter, at opposite ends of the room, a separate shower and deep soaking tub, and a 20-inch flat-screen TV. It's hard to imagine a new hotel coming onto the scene with larger and higher rooms, but this being Tokyo, one undoubtedly will.

  Facilities: 3 restaurants; bar; lounge; 20m indoor lap pool; gym; spa (entrance fee: ¥5,250/$44/£22); concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service; nonsmoking rooms; executive-level rooms.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010

Other features:

BVLGARI bath accessories are provided in most of the rooms and suites. Electronic touch panels control air conditioning, curtains and music.