4 days ago
Inside Look: Aman Tokyo Review
W ith its acclaimed restaurants, cocktail bars and high-end hospitality scene, Tokyo is no stranger to luxury. But one address in the city continues to stand out: Aman Tokyo, the first urban hotel by the famed hotel group. Since opening its doors in 2014, the property has provided a sleek, minimalist escape right in central Otemachi.
Like many of the best hotels in Tokyo, Aman is located on the top floors of a skyscraper. But its location is particularly special: It's positioned within the Otemachi Forest, an 'urban forest' incorporating diverse greenery and wildlife. This setting, along with superb service and opulent amenities, truly sets the hotel apart from the rest. Read my full review below.
The Aman Tokyo lobby. Aman Reserve At Mr & Mrs Smith Who Will Love It: Couples; solo travelers; business travelers All-Star Amenities: Spa; indoor pool; four restaurants; in-room Bose sound systems; attached shopping mall; outdoor 'urban forest' What Not To Miss: An omakase experience at Musashi by Aman Location: Otemachi, Tokyo, Japan
Designed by Australian design firm Kerry Hill Architects, the first thing guests encounter when arriving at the 33rd floor lobby of the Aman is the sleek, minimalist design that seamlessly blends Japanese materials (a giant lantern made out of traditional washi paper in the lobby) with modern, dramatic elements like soaring columns and black granite floors. At check-in, I was offered a cold towel and refreshing welcome drink. As my bags were taken to my room, I relaxed by taking in the direct views of Mount Fuji from the lobby's windows.
Aman Tokyo's spa swimming pool. Aman
After a 14-hour flight, I was looking forward to experiencing the property's spa, which at 26,900 square feet is the largest in Tokyo. The two-floor facility has a variety of baths, showers and steam rooms, where guests can enjoy a Misogi experience—or a traditional Japanese purification ritual—based on ancient Shinto customs. I enjoyed a quick steam before my Aman Tokyo Signature Journey, a 150-minute head-to-toe treatment starting with a full-body scrub and a 90-minute massage. With absolute relaxation finally achieved, I was ready to fully immerse myself in the Aman experience.
Aman Tokyo is home to 84 rooms and suites, all with a variety of different layouts and city views. I stayed in a Panorama Suite, which felt like stepping into a traditional Japanese ryokan : The room featured a separate bedroom, living and dining area, a powder room, and a concealable workspace hidden behind a sliding door, which I thought was a nice touch to separate work time from leisure time. I was most impressed by the large, basalt-lined bathroom, which had a stone furo tub, spacious shower area and beautiful vanity, all behind a set of shoji-style sliding doors.
Panorama Suite at Aman Tokyo. Aman
There were bowls of Japanese snacks laid out for my arrival, and the mini-bar provided complimentary refreshments like waters, juices and sodas. USB ports were also readily available on all desks and next to my bed, for easy-access charging. The bed, low to the floor in true Japanese style, was incredibly comfortable, and the bedside blackout curtain feature allowed for deep sleep. Best of all, it seemed that no matter what area of the room I was in, I had prime access to some of the city's best views, including Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower. Food And Beverage
Aman Tokyo is home to five dining outlets, including La Pâtisserie by Aman Tokyo, located on the B2 floor of the Otemachi Tower, which houses the hotel; The Café by Aman, offering casual lunch and dinner; The Lounge By Aman, an upscale lobby bar with food; and Musashi By Aman, the property's celebrated omakase table, offering only a few seatings each evening. As a frequent visitor to Tokyo, an essential part of my stays has always been a great sushi experience, so I immediately made sure to book a seat at Musashi By Aman on my first evening at the property.
My meal began with a prompt to choose from a collection of crystal sake glasses, which was then filled with Aman's locally made, branded sake. Shortly after, 21 courses of nigiri and sushi paraded out, including rolls of tuna, striped jack, sea urchin, squid and prawn. The meal concluded with miso soup, a mochi dessert and a very content walk back to my room. Another can't-miss meal is the Lounge By Aman's famous wagyu burger, which I enjoyed at lunch one day; it's truly an epic and indulgent meal, but there's no place more fitting to enjoy it than at Aman Tokyo. And each morning, I made sure to visit La Pâtisserie by Aman for with coffee and pastries; the fig tart I had on my last day still lingers in my memories. What To Do In The Area
The Aman Tokyo is located in Tokyo's Otemachi neighborhood, which is one of the city's most central areas. It's surrounded by financial offices, restaurants and high-end shopping, and it's about a ten-minute walk from the Imperial Palace or a twenty-minute walk to Edo Castle. There are several trains that stop directly in the Otemachi Tower, where Aman Tokyo is located, which makes it easy to explore other areas of the city. For more great shopping, the Ginza neighborhood is about 10-minutes away on the Marounouchi line, while the neon lights of Shinjuku is about a twenty-minute ride on the Chūō line. And right by the hotel, the famous Tokyo Station is known for its great food, including Ramen Street, which features delectable ramen purchased via vending machines, all located underground. How To Get There
Aman Tokyo is about a 40-minute drive from Haneda Airport (HND), and a one-hour drive from Narita Airport (NRT). It's also located about a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station, where travelers can arrive via shinkansen , or a bullet train, from Kyoto, Osaka and beyond.
