Exclusive: inside the stylish Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
From my viewpoint, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills boasts several distinctive features that make this hotel truly exceptional. Today’s travellers seek to immerse themselves in local culture and venture beyond the typical “touristy” attractions. That’s where Andaz Tokyo truly shines.
First and foremost, the interiors crafted by Tony Chi enable guests to fully engage with Japanese culture.
Unlike a traditional ryokan, the hotel’s design, inspired by the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto, offers a contemporary twist on classic Japanese aesthetics.
From the spacious deep-soaking bathtubs reflecting the bathing culture to the low beds that replicate the experience of sleeping on a futon, every detail at Andaz Tokyo allows guests to savour what it’s like to stay in a luxurious Japanese home.
Simultaneously, guests can unwind thanks to the unscripted service, which encourages them to express themselves freely, just as they would at home.
Another standout feature is the stunning views. Perched atop the 52-storey Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, every room, suite, restaurant, bar, and event space presents breathtaking vistas of the vibrant city below.
The ‘Park View’ overlooks the Imperial Palace and its verdant gardens, while the ‘Bay View’ side gives guests a sense of proximity to the water. However, the coveted ‘Tower View’ takes centre stage with its awe-inspiring views of Tokyo Tower.
Above all, the culinary and beverage selections enhance the entire Andaz Tokyo experience. With distinctive mixology cocktails at the Rooftop Bar, the omakase sushi journey at ‘the SUSHI’ to the vibrant ambiance of The Tavern Grill and Lounge, each venue provides a unique atmosphere tailored to the guest’s mood.
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills boasts 164 luxurious rooms, including 8 exquisite suites. The rooms spans from 50 square meters, each offering breathtaking views. Interiors designed by Tony Chi draw inspiration from a classic Japanese garden.
The lush green carpet evokes the feel of moss, while the large wooden tables symbolize trees, and the sofas mimic a natural rock. Every bathroom is equipped with a spacious deep-soaking bathtub featuring a faucet reminiscent of onsen baths, allowing guests to immerse themselves in authentic Japanese bathing culture and unwind after a day of adventure.
Among the 8 suites, the Andaz Sky Suite, at an impressive 210 square meters, provides unmatched 180-degree views of Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Tower.
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills boasts five exceptional restaurants and bars, each offering a unique atmosphere for an unforgettable experience.
Begin your journey at The Tavern Grill and Lounge on the 51st floor, where the vibrant ambiance and culinary delights evolve throughout the day. Indulge in a lavish breakfast buffet, a delectable lunch, and a thoughtfully curated dinner at the restaurant, while the lounge is celebrated for its seasonal afternoon teas, expertly crafted cocktails, and live music that fills the night air.
The Rooftop Bar on the 52nd floor elevates your experience with innovative cocktails infused with Japanese flavors, upbeat music, and breathtaking views from the semi-open air terrace.
Adjacent to the Rooftop Bar, ‘the SUSHI’ offers an intimate omakase experience with just eight counter seats. Here, guests can witness the sushi master’s artistry as they skillfully prepare each exquisite piece.
On the ground floor, BeBu serves up an American comfort food menu and happy hour drinks in the evening, making it the perfect spot for a quick lunch or a relaxing evening unwind. Next door, the Pastry Shop tempts with a delightful array of seasonal sweets and cakes, perfect for an afternoon treat or a charming petit afternoon tea.
Together with the interiors, culinary delights, and breathtaking views, Andaz Tokyo’s artworks enhance the guest experience throughout their stay.
Upon arrival, guests walk along a path illuminated by kiriko lights, a traditional Japanese glass-cutting technique. As they enter the elevators, guests are inspired by the intricately carved wooden panels adorned with layers of washi paper, each elevator showcasing a unique motif.
Upon reaching the lobby, the ‘infinite universe’ mural by Shigemitsu Kotaka captivates guests with its grand design.
Crafted using a woodwork technique called kumiko, each piece is assembled without glue or nails. This mural, featuring planets and stars, symbolizes the connection of past, present, and future, much like Toranomon, which has a rich history dating back to the Edo period while evolving into the future.
The Tree Chair in the lobby and the Birds in the Forest installations at The Tavern Grill and Lounge infuse life into the spaces with their timber, and the flowing movements of the wood mimic the graceful flight of birds.
Loyalty is essential for every hotel. The World of Hyatt loyalty program enables guests to explore the world, stay at various Hyatt brands, and earn rewards for their loyalty.
Additionally, at Andaz Tokyo, guests can take advantage of the benefits of the World of Hyatt loyalty program, including free night stays, late check-out, and room upgrades based on availability.
With its rich history, Toranomon boasts several remarkable shrines, including Atago Shrine and Kotohira Shrine, both just a short stroll from Andaz Tokyo.
Numerous shops and eateries with deep roots, such as the century-old noodle shop Sunaba, are the hidden treasures that Toranomon cherishes. Simultaneously, the modern skyscrapers provide a diverse selection of dining choices and a cutting-edge exhibition venue at Tokyo NODE.
Book a seat in ANA’s brilliant Business Class cabin
ANA (All Nippon Airways) flies to Tokyo from across the globe, including New York, London, Sydney and more global gateways. The author recommends flying in ANA’s Business Class cabin, which features lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Each seat has direct access to the aisle, a spacious side table with a personal light, a large table that’s ideal for working and dining, storage space under the ottoman for a large item, plus a universal PC power port, USB port and an 18-inch touch-panel LCD wide-screen monitor with a fantastic selection of movies, TV shows and games.
Flights offer ANA’s WiFi service, which will soon become free for all travellers in the Business Class cabin, plus an expansive duty-free offering including premium Japanese Whisky and luxury goods.
Where ANA’s Business Class stands out is food, drinks and hospitality on offer. On the dining front, there is a choice of a western or Japanese meal set and the quality and taste is so impressive, you’ll already feel like you are dining in a top Tokyo restaurant while you’re in the air.
If you go for the Japanese option, you can expect some Zensai (including sushi and morsels), Kobachi (a salmon salad and simmered icefish) and Shusai (simmered beef in wild vegetables), alongside steamed rice, Miso soup and Japanese pickles.
On the Western front, there will be a selection of small appetisers (like citrus marinated shrimps and scallops), followed by a main dish (beef fillet steak with Madiera sauce or steamed golden bream).
Both meal options come with a delightful dessert offering, including strawberry mousse, cheese and fruits.
On the wine front, expect a fantastic selection of top drops from across the globe, spanning France to Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina, alongside a tasty selection of Sake and Shochu.
When it comes to an after-dinner tipple, incredibly, ANA offers the Hibiki Blender’s Choice from the House of Suntory of Japan (a $400 retail whisky) and it’s very, very hard to go past a dram of that.
The service on board ANA is well known as being called ‘five-star’ but that genuinely is what you can expect in the air and the hospitality is one of the many highlights onboard this impressive Business Class cabin that’s nothing short of five stars.
Before you depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, stop by the ANA Lounge where you’ll find views over the airfield, seats for working and relaxing, plus a noodle bar, buffet (don’t skip past a Japanese curry), self-service drinks station (offering sake, shochu and other alcoholic beverages like beers from automated pourers) and a dining area.
For the best prices, get your tickets at https://www.ana.co.jp/