Review / Fairmont Tokyo, the luxury chain’s first outpost in Japan
With views of Tokyo Bay on one side and Tokyo Tower on the other, the hotel is also pet friendly, and boasts a stunning rooftop pool
Before travelling to Japan to discover the newly opened Fairmont Tokyo, I really didn’t know what to expect.
This is set to change with the arrival of Fairmont Tokyo, its first hotel in Japan, which will give the city’s other five-star luxury hotels a run for their money.
Located in the coastal Shibaura neighbourhood – a quiet area only a ten-minute taxi ride away from buzzy Ginza – the property is flanked on one side by Tokyo Bay and on the other by Tokyo Tower, one of the city’s landmarks.
Given Tokyo’s vast expanse, it’s easy to forget that it’s a port city – something you can truly appreciate if your room or suite faces the sea overlooking Rainbow Bridge, which lights up at night. It’s a welcome change from Tokyo’s urban sprawl, providing some respite from the density and high-rises typical of the metropolis.
The hotel occupies the top floors of a newly built skyscraper owned by Nomura Rea Estate Development Co, a key player in the recent redevelopment of Shibaura. At the waterfront neighbourhood, you can walk along lovely canals, take a break in lush gardens and have a bite at one of the casual eateries dotting the area.
Like many luxury hotels these days, the journey begins on one of the upper floors, the 35th, where the lobby is located. The breathtaking views start here, thanks to the outdoor terraces that surround the expansive space, and they’re definitely one of the hotel’s main selling points. Also on the lobby level are a spa, a 20-metre indoor infinity swimming pool, an outdoor pool with a relaxation deck, and a well-equipped gym.
