Hyatt’s first and to-date only Andaz in Japan may have been open since 2014, but it’s certainly not showing its age. This impressive spot, hidden away on the 47th-52nd floors of the Toranomon Hills Mori tower is elegant and inviting, with stunning views in four directions across the city (including our favourite, looking out over the Imperial Gardens).
Plenty of hotels position themselves as homes away from home, but Andaz really means it. The 164 rooms (the smallest of which still comes in at 50sqm) feature deep bathtubs to reflect Japanese bathing culture, while the Andaz lounge is open to all guests, and offers round-the-clock complimentary drinks and snacks and free alcoholic beverages accompanied by canapés from 6pm to 8pm. You can even touch the artworks throughout the hotel, as though you really do live there. The art is a real talking point, too, spotlighting local techniques and traditions such as kumiko (assembling wooden pieces without nails) and paper layering.
You’re also spoilt for choice with five in-house dining outlets including, among others, eight-seater spot The SUSHI, snow beef and more at The Tavern – Grill & Lounge, and the recently reopened BeBu, which serves American comfort food. The 52nd floor Rooftop Bar meanwhile, with its semi-open terrace, has been recognised by Conde Nast as one of the best in the world, and is home to the ‘52’, the hotel’s signature sake.
The bar was designed by local studio SIMPLICITY, who are also behind in-house spa, AO Spa & Club, where you can enjoy customised treatments (or jiyujizai). Beside the spa, there’s also a 65 foot swimming pool, floating jet bath and carbonated bath, as well as a full-service, 24 hour gym.
So while you’d be pretty lucky to have any of this in your own home, for the duration of your stay it certainly feels like you do.
