Ask anyone what they consider to be the best hotel in Tokyo and you can guarantee that Aman is mentioned – and for good reason. Nestled in Tokyo's business district, at the top of a pretty unremarkable 38-story steel and glass office tower, this was the Aman Group’s first urban address when it opened in 2014, and nearly 10 years later it hasn’t lost an ounce of its wow factor.
Australian designer Kerry Hill – an expert at mixing local styles with contemporary architecture – has created a minimal and sleek space. From the moment you step foot inside the 33rd floor lobby, with its 30-metre high white washi paper ceiling and ikebana flower arrangement in the centre – surrounded by water and two meditative rock gardens – you can’t help but feel a sense of serenity and calm.
The hotel’s 84 rooms are spacious, modern takes on traditional Japanese ryokan inns, with sliding screens separating light-filled cypress wood bedrooms from basalt-lined bathrooms, complete with deep, granite bathtubs perfectly positioned for dramatic city views while you soak. The spa spans two floors – a breathtaking space with a striking black basalt 30-metre pool, onsen-style stone bath, plus a gym, yoga studio and treatment rooms.
Arva, the hotel's fine dining restaurant, is a smart spot; highlights from the Italian-inspired menu include New Zealand lamb with tomato, basil and black olives and strawberry tiramisu with white balsamic vinegar. Come morning, hotel guests gather here for breakfast, sipping coffee and tucking into french toast and Eggs Benedict overlooking the Royal Palace gardens below. Next door is the hotel’s bar, serving a seasonal afternoon tea and expertly-mixed cocktails with more Tokyo views. La Pâtisserie, in the basement of the hotel’s building, is the latest addition, where executive pastry chef Yoshihisa Miyagawa serves up perfectly-presented French delicacies. Read the full Aman Tokyo hotel review. Sarah Allard