According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, there are around 3,000 hotels in Japan’s capital city, so it’s safe to say that you’ll never be short of options when deciding on a base for your travels. For a hotel that impresses both locals and visitors too, a trip to The Gajoen Tokyo is a must. LLM contributor Megan Lawton checks in to find out more.
Hotel
From the moment you step into the Gajoen, you’re instantly immersed in grand, traditional Japanese aesthetics; black marble floors, walls of lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ceilings adorned with intricate designs. Halfway between museum and hotel, this unique space showcases thousands of pieces of Japanese art, which makes the hotel a work of art in itself.
So much of Japanese zen revolves around water – be that in art or parks – and this hotel has its own stream running through the ground floor, guiding guests to the outside space, complete with a grand waterfall, koi ponds and crafted curve bridges. Most Tokyo hotels don’t have gardens, which is just one of many reasons why the Gajoen is a cut above the rest.
It also boasts a stellar location, situated between the Meguro, Shinagawa and Minato districts. It’s a little quieter than downtown Tokyo where the roads are hectic with people and bright lights, but offers a welcome calm. A few minutes of walking from the hotel takes you to the Meguro River (a must visit in cherry blossom season) where locals quietly go about their business.
Room
The hotel offers 60 elegant suites all situated between the sixth and eighth floors to ensure both a peaceful night’s rest (more on that later) and an expansive view of the city. In keeping with the rest of the hotel, each of the 60 rooms are designed in a minimalist, Japanese style. Many contain works of art, with either a view of the city or Meguro River, one of the most beautiful spring vistas in Tokyo.
We stayed in an executive suite which lived up to its name; the 80 square metre space had a walk-in wardrobe, desk space, lounge, grand bedroom, and lavish bathroom fit with a private sauna.
As is the case with most Japanese hotels we stayed in, attention to detail was everything and the hotel’s quest to provide a good night’s sleep was unrivalled – from electric blackout blinds and heated eye masks to an array of herbal teas as well as a ginormous bed. The sleeping surface was larger than many hotel rooms, and was covered in the plushest bedding. Safe to say we slept like babies.
We also came away with skin as soft as babies too, courtesy of the luxury toiletry gifts and in room spa and whirlpool bath. In a city that takes a toll on your feet, these in-room self-care touches are essential.
Food and drink
You could stay at the hotel for a week and dine in a different eatery every day; there’s a steakhouse, as well as an American grill, plus numerous cafés and restaurants offering Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
Our room included breakfast and access to the club lounge. Although the interior was nothing to write home about, the view really was – once again overlooking downtown Tokyo. Serving snacks and drinks throughout the day, it was the perfect charging point for tired tourists (us).
Guests needn’t be hungry after the Gajoen’s breakfast offering, the best we experienced in Tokyo. Several stations filled with a variety of options – from different types of porridge, fruit, pastries, to having your eggs cooked any way you want (we’d recommend the omelette which comes as loaded as you’d like). Special mention to both the roasted pumpkin pots and strips of miso salmon too.
And then there’s the service, where the staff really couldn’t do enough to cater for us too – another nice touch from the Gajoen. Back in the bedroom, another sweet touch – a gorgeous bottle of Japanese red and a box of handmade local chocolates – all intricately decorated with traditional art – so beautiful we could barely face eating them (somehow we managed).
To do
The Gajoen itself is well worth a morning of exploration. There is so much to see; the art, the gardens and the visitors, too. Once a 1920s wedding complex, the hotel is still a hot spot for luxury society weddings and social events. A host of taxi drivers, drinks servers and shop attendants we met during our stay lauded the hotel and its reputation in Japan.
Once you’ve soaked in the traditional culture, head a short distance to the Meguro River – home to the cherry blossom bridge – which is as beautiful as it sounds. For those who enjoy a coffee and waterside stroll, there is simply no better place to walk, run or cycle. We came in mid-April, just after cherry blossom season had ended and had the riverside largely to ourselves, but had we come a few weeks earlier, we were told this wouldn’t have been the case. And when the sun sets, beautiful scenery isn’t all this area has to offer – a row of lively bars and ramen spots meant our nights here were memorable.
Factbox
Address: 1-8-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3491-4111
Website: hotelgajoen-tokyo.com
