Before travelling to Japan to discover the newly opened Fairmont Tokyo, I really didn’t know what to expect.
Established in 1907 with the opening of Fairmont San Francisco, the chain is now part of the French group Accor, the company behind brands such as Raffles and Sofitel. While I was familiar with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and had the pleasure of staying at the group’s Manila outpost years ago, Fairmont has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, especially for Asia-based luxury travellers – unlike other hotel groups such as The Peninsula, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental and Aman.
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.
The hotel is located in the recently revitalised Shibaura neighbourhood. Photo: Handout
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.
The 20-metre swimming pool overlooks the city’s skyline and Tokyo Bay. Photo: Handout
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.
Fairmont is not necessarily known for its wellness offerings, but the spa was a very pleasant surprise. All treatments begin with a foot soak performed with a mix of home-grown ingredients such as azuki beans and matcha powder, which you can select before your session. I opted for a facial, which was performed with Japanese jeweller Mikimoto’s pearl-derived skincare – an unexpected touch that definitely made a difference.
The living room in a suite facing Tokyo Bay. Photo: Handout
AloJapan.com