BELLUSTAR TOKYO: Minimalist Luxury at the Summit of Shinjuku

A Dizzying Location at the Top of Shinjuku

BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel made a remarkable debut in May 2023, claiming the top of Shinjuku's skyline. It sits inside the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, a bold 225-meter skyscraper whose architecture embodies the city's new glamour. From the 39th to the 47th floor, the hotel literally floats above the chaos, offering an unprecedented immersion: an ultra-private luxury cocoon perched above the legendary and vibrant Kabukicho district. You experience the exhilaration of Tokyo — with its incandescent nights, its theatres and its vibrant cinema on the lower floors — while enjoying the privilege of distance and breathtaking views, rare in this part of the city. Access is perfectly seamless: two minutes are enough to go from hushed luxury to the connected labyrinth of Shinjuku Station.

Minimalist Luxury and Zen Serenity

The interior design of BELLUSTAR TOKYO is a celebration of minimalist luxury and zen aesthetics, offering a striking contrast to the neon glow of the Shinjuku district below. From the moment you enter, the hotel establishes an atmosphere of absolute serenity, turning the buzz of urban life into a distant memory. The interiors, understated and often monochrome, effortlessly weave traditional Japanese culture: low tables inspired by Kabudai sit alongside large washi paper light fixtures, creating a calm and contemplative space. This refined design serves as a backdrop to the central element: floor-to-ceiling windows offering total omniscience over Tokyo's panorama. This commitment to exclusivity culminates in the Sky Private Villa, a complex housing the hotel's five penthouse suites, as well as restaurants, a bar, and a spa, creating a unique space.

Rooms and Suites with XXL Panoramas

The hotel offers 92 rooms and suites, spread across seven distinct categories and starting at a generous 41 square meters. The design is an ode to the purest Japanese tradition, weaving a sober and refined aesthetic with high-end materials. In each room, the focus is on minimalist elegance that harmoniously contrasts with the outside world. Beyond the standard rooms, the experience reaches its peak with five incredible Penthouse suites, representing the pinnacle of the hotel's offerings.

We had the privilege of staying in the Studio Premier, a room that perfectly embodies the hotel's philosophy. Decorated in a Japanese-inspired style with a subtle touch of traditional culture, it offers a welcome haven of peace, featuring a large king-size bed (or two double beds). However, the real show unfolds behind the huge glass wall: seven-meter-wide windows offer an incredible and breathtaking panorama over the lively districts of Shinjuku and Kabukichō. This stunning vantage point allows you to observe Tokyo's life and activity for hours, day and night. Finally, to complete the luxury experience, the bathroom is equipped with a separate shower and bathtub, ideal for a regenerating moment of relaxation.

The Breakfast That Awakens Tokyo's Sky

Every morning, breakfast turns Tokyo's sky into a spectacular culinary stage. Forget routine: here, the experience begins with a dizzying panoramic view, enjoyed alongside fresh fruit juice or a hot drink. The minimalist menu promises global refinement: Western excellence, with classics such as Eggs Benedict revisited with ratatouille and prosciutto, alongside eggs prepared in every possible way. Sweet lovers will choose the irresistible Brioche French Toast or pastries, while those mindful of their diets will find gluten-free and dairy-free options.

When French Gastronomy Dialogues with Japan

The gastronomic offerings at BELLUSTAR TOKYO are an inventive culinary journey that awakens the senses. The crown jewel is the Restaurant Bellustar, a modern French dining establishment that embodies the concept of “A Culinary Journey Through Ingredients.” The setting is spectacular: a three-storey atrium with a ceiling rising majestically to 13 meters, enhanced by a work from artist Shinji Ohmaki and elegant furniture designed by contemporary master architect Norman Foster. This venue is the showcase of ever-evolving cuisine, supported by a sophisticated selection of wines, sake, and non-alcoholic beverages carefully chosen by the hotel's sommeliers.

We had the great pleasure of dining there, discovering the bold approach of Chef Munehiro Takesue. With experience in Michelin-starred establishments and training in Paris, the Chef is dedicated to magnifying the natural flavors of the products. He uses only the finest ingredients from Japanese terroirs, crafting dishes that reflect the cultural richness of each region. During our meal, we experienced this philosophy through the seasonal Chugoku & Shikoku menu, which showcased an abundance of local treasures, from Katsube beef to wild game.

The HOSHI menu begins with an aperitif that immediately sets the tone for the culinary experience. We chose to start with a glass of champagne, followed by an assortment of three amuse-bouches that were both minimalist and refined — a delicate staging that blends zen aesthetics with ingredient purity. This opening, bathed in the sparkling night view of Tokyo, subtly prepares the senses for what is to follow.

Next arrives a marinated squid tartare, crowned with a dome of oscietra caviar. Placed at the center of a sculpted plate, it plays on the contrast between the dark shine of the caviar and the luminous clarity of the preparation. Around it, small touches of green apple mousse bring tangy freshness, while edible flowers and microgreens add color, sweetness, and aromatic delicacy. The accompanying side dish offers two more toasted, textured bites, creating a perfectly harmonious counterpoint to the finesse of the main plate.

The first starter then reveals a circle of kombu-marinated sea bream, with an almost pearly finesse. The tomato jelly that coats it glides transparently and brings vibrant freshness. Around it, persimmon adds smooth sweetness, okra adds an elegant vegetal note, and almonds a light crunch. The whole dish is punctuated with colorful flowers and herbs, like delicate touches of perfume, giving it a luminous and subtly refined appearance.

The second starter appears as a true centerpiece. A stuffing of pheasant breast, minced thigh, and wild shiitake is encased in a finely chiseled golden crust. The cooking gives it an almost hypnotic amber sheen. When cut, the pheasant meat appears perfectly cooked, contrasting with the crispy pastry. The deliberately understated plate presents the still-steaming slice with a glossy, deep, enveloping sauce. The whole evokes refined and powerful forest cuisine, served with an acute sense of staging.

The fish course highlights a splendid piece of grilled amadai whose scales have been raised into an exceptionally crispy layer, forming a fine golden armor that contrasts with the pearly, juicy flesh. The fish rests on a bed of finely cut vegetables that bring freshness and texture. A shiso-basil seed ravigote sauce offers a lively, almost beaded aroma, while an anchovy sauce brings saline depth and umami intensity.

The meat dish begins with a spectacular moment: the Wagyu piece is first presented whole at the table, still steaming on a bed of hay and charcoal. This gesture highlights its woody fragrance and caramelized surface. Once cut, the meat reveals dazzling marbling and a tender texture. On the plate, the rib-eye slice is paired with long-braised beef, dark and satiny, and crispy potato gnocchi that bring structure and indulgence. A glossy sauce envelops the whole with deep intensity. Alongside, a Wagyu tartare offers a fresher, more direct interpretation of the same meat, completing this trilogy with great mastery.

The pre-dessert then plays on the subtle border between cheese and sweet. The blue cheese iced soufflé, perfectly smooth and creamy white, melts upon contact with the mouth. The aromatic power of the cheese is softened by a drizzle of honey that enhances its depth. A few crunchy shards add relief and contrast, creating a play of textures that accompanies the freshness of the soufflé and forms a bold yet delicately indulgent pause.

The grand dessert opens like a true citrus landscape. On a bright plate, a tart shaped like a lemon contains a vibrant cream blending Setouchi lemon, sudachi, yuzu, and bergamot. A citrus jelly further intensifies the aromatic palette, while a delicately herbal basil sorbet brings crystalline freshness. The whole combines brilliance, acidity, and sweetness in a sunlit finale evoking the light-bathed orchards of the Seto Inland Sea.

The mignardises conclude the meal like a final burst of delicacy. These three sweets form a refined, light, and perfectly balanced finish, elegantly closing the HOSHI menu experience.

The Other Gastronomic Gems of BELLUSTAR TOKYO

To complete this offering, the hotel provides two other high-end Japanese dining experiences, as well as its main bar. The Teppan Ten-yu restaurant, whose name means receiving unexpected good fortune, promises a spectacle of flavors as wagyu beef and carefully selected ingredients are cooked right before your eyes. Meanwhile, Sushi JIN-E offers authentic Edomae-style sushi served by an experienced chef, with a recommendation to pair these marine delights with champagne, wine, or sake, all while admiring the exceptional metropolitan skyline. Finally, the Bar Bellustar, based on quality and technique, uses Japanese artisanal fruits, vegetables, and spirits to create visually spectacular cocktails and playful infusions, promising a unique experience to guests from around the world.

A Moment of Pure Serenity at Spa Sunya

Perched atop BELLUSTAR TOKYO, the Sunya spa immediately wrapped me in a suspended atmosphere, as if detached from the earthly world. As soon as the door opened, delicate fragrances and deep silence created a soothing bubble, perfectly aligned with the meaning of the word “sunya”: the sky, the space where everything becomes light. The treatment rooms — Herb, Flower, Wood, or Fruit — extend this sensory immersion with seasonal atmospheres inspired by Japan's natural riches.

This vision echoes that of ALL THAT SPA, a holistic care brand born from a Japanese spa, founded on the idea that we are part of nature and that body and mind are intimately linked. Their products incorporate the blessings of Japanese nature — from rice and yuzu to newer essences like Japanese lemon, lavender, or neroli — whose unique scents are designed to resonate with the body's energy points.

I had the pleasure of trying the Holistic Energy treatment, a therapy designed to rebalance chi flow and restore deep energetic well-being. For this massage, I chose the Harmony balm from ALL THAT SPA, a natural blend that melts at skin temperature. Its delicate fragrance — Japanese lemon, orange, jasmine, patchouli, and benzoin — perfectly accompanies the energy lines worked by the therapist. As the treatment unfolds, the warmth of the balm blends with the fluid movements of the massage, releasing tension and promoting a sense of recentring. When the ritual ends, you feel soothed, nourished, and deeply reconnected.

The Exclusive Services of BELLUSTAR TOKYO

Bellustar Tokyo also offers a selection of complementary services that enrich the overall stay experience. Guests enjoy privileged access to the Exclusive Lounge, a refined and intimate space where one can relax at any time of day while enjoying freshly prepared coffee, fragrant teas, or non-alcoholic drinks, along with light snacks, all in a contemporary setting bathed in calm. For those wishing to maintain their wellness routine, the hotel provides a state-of-the-art gym located on the 18th floor. Open 24/7 and equipped with cutting-edge Italian machines, it allows guests to work out while admiring a spectacular view of downtown Tokyo — an inspiring way to combine physical performance and urban contemplation.

My Opinion

BELLUSTAR TOKYO stands as an exceptional destination, succeeding in offering a luxurious and serene refuge literally above the bustle of Shinjuku. With only 94 keys, the hotel maintains an intimate and exclusive character, creating a rare bubble of tranquility in this bustling metropolis. From its minimalist design to its panoramic windows offering an omniscient view, through its inventive gastronomic experience and the absolute well-being of Spa Sunya, every aspect of the stay is elevated to a level of refinement.

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Practical Information

A big thank-you to BELLUSTAR TOKYO for the invitation to discover their establishment. Of course, I remain free in my opinions in this article!