The Contemporary Vision of Japanese Luxury at the Palace Hotel Tokyo

Between Imperial Gardens and the Business District

Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Marunouchi district, Palace Hotel Tokyo enjoys a truly exceptional location. Set along the moats and facing the vast gardens of the Imperial Palace, it offers from its rooms, spa, and most of its restaurants a unique view of one of the most beautiful green spaces in central Tokyo. Just a short walk away, the elegant Marunouchi Naka Dori avenue invites visitors to stroll among upscale boutiques and sought-after dining addresses. Perfectly connected, the hotel benefits from direct access to Ōtemachi subway station and is about a ten-minute walk from Tokyo Station, a major hub for Shinkansen, regional, and local lines. This privileged setting, between imperial calm and urban dynamism, makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the Japanese capital.

The Renewal of a Monument of Japanese Hospitality

The history of Palace Hotel Tokyo unfolds as a true continuum, marked by major transformations. It all began in 1947 with the opening of Hotel Teito in what was once the Forestry Bureau of the Imperial Household, responding to the growing demand for accommodation in post-war Japan. The property was later sold to the private sector in 1959 and became the Palace Hotel, which officially opened in 1961. With its 450 rooms, the hotel quickly gained a strong reputation and welcomed leading artists from Japan and around the world. Half a century later, seeking to rise to the level of major international chains, the Palace was once again completely demolished and rebuilt; after three years of work, the contemporary version of the property reopened in 2012 under the name Palace Hotel Tokyo.

Heir to more than fifty years of history, the reinvented hotel fully embraces this legacy while asserting a serene modernity. Infused with discreet luxury, subtle Japanese touches, and controlled sophistication, it stands as a living tribute to omotenashi, Japanese hospitality. The lobby immediately sets the tone: high ceilings, botanical frescoes, fresh plant arrangements, and vast bay windows create a bright, elegant, and soothing setting. Despite its scale and iconic status, Palace Hotel Tokyo retains an independent spirit and a strong local identity, particularly evident in its intimate Japanese restaurants.

The style and design of the property extend this constant dialogue between heritage, nature, and contemporaneity. More than 1,000 works of art line the public spaces—paintings, watercolors, sculptures, and specially commissioned pieces—celebrating the beauty of the natural setting and the uniqueness of Japanese aesthetics. Certain signatures of the original building have been reinterpreted or integrated into the new décor, such as part of the 1.6 million Shigaraki-yaki tiles or the historic counter of the Royal Bar, carefully restored. From deep green hand-tufted carpets to the leaf-shaped bar at Lounge Bar Privé, from the Japanese maple near the lobby to the large aji stone wall artwork leading to the entrance, every detail reinforces the hotel's connection to the moats and neighboring imperial gardens, while redefining luxury in Japan with grace, elegance, and authenticity.

Japanese Elegance and an Exceptional Panorama

The 284 rooms and suites at Palace Hotel Tokyo stand out for their generous space, clean lines, and soothing atmosphere inspired by nature. Dressed in cream tones, soft greens, and leaf-patterned carpets, they echo the landscape of the neighboring imperial gardens. Most feature a balcony—a rare privilege in the capital—and all offer superb views, either over the palace greenery or the vibrant Marunouchi skyline. Glass-walled bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, separate showers, and Bamford amenities complete this refined relaxation experience. Added to this are delicate Japanese touches: Imabari towels, premium Jugetsudo teas, nambu-tekki cast-iron teapots, Arita-yaki cups, Echizen lacquered saucers, as well as warming sleep masks and loungewear placed each evening.

We stayed in a 45 m² Deluxe Room with Balcony, one of the hotel's most sought-after categories. South-facing, it offers a splendid view over Wadakura Fountain Park and the Imperial Palace plaza, a panorama that transforms at night into a succession of sparkling lights. Spacious and filled with natural light, it includes a seating area that can serve as a workspace or dining area, but its true highlight remains the wide balcony. Being able to enjoy a private outdoor space in the heart of Tokyo—breathing in the evening air while facing the imperial gardens—is a rare luxury that makes this room category particularly exceptional.

The Discreet Excellence of the Club Lounge

Located on the 19th floor, the Club Lounge at Palace Hotel Tokyo offers an elegant and soothing cocoon, recently reimagined to better meet the expectations of today's travelers. We were able to access it, a privilege that deeply enriched our stay. The 172 m² space, bathed in light and adorned with ivory tones, warm wood, and a pebble-inspired carpet, exudes an atmosphere that is both relaxed and refined. What truly makes the experience exceptional, however, is the extremely high quality of the offerings, rare even in luxury hospitality. The service is remarkably attentive, always present yet never intrusive, and the quality of the food impresses with its finesse and consistency. Throughout the day, the lounge offers a generous succession of gourmet moments—Wadakura signature breakfast, light snacks, tea time, cocktails & canapés, followed by Alain Ducasse sweets in the late evening. Exclusive cocktails and mocktails crafted by the Royal Bar complete the offering. Added to this are a dedicated concierge service, private check-in, access to the sauna and heated bath at evian SPA TOKYO, and other thoughtful touches that make the Club Lounge a major asset of Palace Hotel Tokyo and one of its most memorable experiences.

A Temple of Flavors, from Kaiseki to Michelin

With ten restaurants and bars, Palace Hotel Tokyo stands as a true gastronomic destination at the heart of one of the world's most creative culinary scenes. Each venue has its own identity, yet all share the same standards: remarkably precise cuisine, impeccable service, and constant attention to detail. Here, gastronomy is not a mere accompaniment—it is an integral part of the hotel's DNA.

At the pinnacle of this offering is Esterre, the one-Michelin-star restaurant by Alain Ducasse, the first collaboration between a Japanese hotel and DUCASSE Paris. The venue presents a contemporary interpretation of haute cuisine, centered on the natural flavors of Japanese terroir. Raw materials, earthy tones, washi paper, and wood create an interior conceived as a tribute to “Mother Earth,” while Executive Chef Kei Kojima elevates sustainable and organic ingredients through mastered French techniques. The wine cellar, housing 4,800 bottles, is among the most impressive in Tokyo. We had the pleasure of dining there last year. (Read the review here: Esterre: An Ode to Nature and Haute Cuisine in Tokyo)

Japanese cuisine is expressed in all its diversity at the emblematic Wadakura restaurant, which brings together four distinct spaces: seasonal kaiseki in the main dining room, exceptionally delicate tempura at Tatsumi, intimate teppanyaki at GO, and outstanding sushi at Sushi Kanesaka, led by renowned Shinji Kanesaka. The décor highlights Japanese craftsmanship: textured walls by Naoki Kusumi, naguri wood floors, views over the imperial moats, and an indoor waterfall evoking the country's natural beauty.

The culinary journey continues with Amber Palace, one of Tokyo's most renowned Chinese restaurants. Shanghainese and Cantonese specialties are served in a setting inspired by imperial China, blending silk wall coverings, antique doors, ceramics, and amber tones. The outdoor terrace, facing the Tokyo skyline, extends the experience through a subtle interplay of tradition and modernity.

For refined international cuisine, Grand Kitchen welcomes guests from morning to night in a warm setting reminiscent of a grand residence, with an open kitchen, marble counters, and a double-sided fireplace. The outdoor terrace along the moats is one of the city's most sought-after al fresco dining spots. The menu honors the Palace's French culinary heritage, notably through certain classic recipes still served today.

The bars and lounges complete this gastronomic mosaic. Royal Bar, with its restored original counter and classic leather-and-wood ambiance, perpetuates the legacy of “Mr. Martini,” Kiyoshi Imai, thanks to bartenders who keep the venue's traditions alive. The Palace Lounge offers a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea, then transforms at night into a sophisticated jazz lounge.

More intimate, Lounge Bar Privé on the sixth floor offers exceptional views over the imperial gardens and Marunouchi, with a menu combining Esterre creations, Wadakura dishes, and a signature Japanese bento of great elegance. We had the opportunity to enjoy the seasonal “Soso Kiwami” Bento, a four-tier composition of remarkable finesse: vibrantly colored chirashi, sculpted vegetables, delicately arranged sashimi, grilled wagyu, seasonal condiments, and meticulously prepared sauces. Presented with an almost ceremonial sense of detail, this bento reveals both the precision of Japanese craftsmanship and a harmony of flavors that evolves through each layer—a true moment of culinary grace.

Finally, Sweets & Deli, under the direction of Executive Pastry Chef Osami Kubota, offers fine pastries, artisanal chocolates, and sophisticated creations, some of which have become signature items served throughout the hotel. Several boutiques have even opened in major Tokyo department stores, reflecting the success of this sweet offering.

Evian SPA TOKYO: Where the Alps Meet Japan

Evian SPA TOKYO is a rare sanctuary, deeply Japanese in atmosphere yet resolutely inspired by the French Alps. This 1,200 m² space is the only evian®-branded spa in Japan and one of only three worldwide outside France. The design, a metaphor for the journey of water through the mountains, blends light stone, pale wood, touches of red, and sculptural ceiling waves. Each treatment room bears the name of an Alpine peak, and large bay windows offer striking views over the Imperial Palace gardens. The experience, at the crossroads of French expertise and Asian therapies, extends far beyond the five treatment rooms: a heated pool lined with panoramic windows, sauna, hot and cold baths, separate relaxation lounges, as well as a Technogym-equipped fitness center bathed in natural light.

I experienced a warew Body Treatment, a treatment deeply rooted in Japanese tradition and based on Asian techniques. This massage, alternating precise rhythms and controlled pressure, aims to promote circulation and restore subtle bodily harmony. The warew brand, inspired by wabi-sabi aesthetics, uses Japanese botanical ingredients cultivated for centuries, giving the treatment a unique sensory dimension: natural fragrances, diffuse warmth, fluid and grounded movements. Combined with the absolute calm of the spa, the softness of its immaculate spaces, and the sophistication of its facilities, this experience makes evian SPA TOKYO one of Palace Hotel Tokyo's major assets—a place where relaxation, beauty, and revitalization reach rare perfection.

My Opinion

Palace Hotel Tokyo thus stands as an exceptional address where every detail reflects a keen sense of refinement and a perfect mastery of Japanese hospitality. Its privileged location facing the imperial gardens, elegant architecture blending heritage and modernity, the generosity of its light-filled rooms, and the excellence of its culinary spaces make it a true haven of luxury in the heart of the capital. Added to this are the exclusive Club Lounge experience, the absolute tranquility of evian SPA TOKYO, and service of rare quality, always attentive and delicately orchestrated. Palace Hotel Tokyo offers one of the most memorable stays Tokyo has to offer.

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Practical Information

Many thanks to Palace Hotel Tokyo for the invitation to discover their property. Naturally, I remain completely free in my opinions expressed in this article!