Travel Weekly contributor and fomer ad guru Greg “Sparrow” Graham reports that while Aman’s first urban property, Aman Tokyo, opened at the end of 2014, it still appears fresh and new with a feeling of total tranquility high above Tokyo’s thriving Otemachi financial district.
Background
I’ve been in advertising/media for over 50 years and in that time have experienced many different hotels. During advertising’s heyday, my boss in New York would only stay at The Four Seasons. I had the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest luxury hotel brands, such as The Mandarin Oriental, Capella, Raffles, Six Senses and The One & Only, among others.
Friends had always raved about the Aman brand and some of its early properties in Thailand and Bali. I’d always dreamed of spending some time in an Aman property, and that dream became a reality recently when visiting Tokyo on a business trip.
First impressions
I thought it would be challenging to create an Aman urban sanctuary in a new skyscraper in a bustling city like Tokyo. Well, guess what? As you are escorted to the reception lobby on the 33rd floor, it’s a triumph; soaring 30 metres high is an architectural feature resembling the interior of a Japanese lantern (it rises six floors through the centre of the building). It’s a WOW on so many levels, and what a breathtaking first impression.
Aman Tokyo foyer.
Check in: On a lounge with the calm pool and Zen rock gardens, I know this Aman experience is going to be exceptional. I’m checked in with a welcomingly perfumed cold towel (it’s 36 degrees outside and really humid), Japanese tea, and a traditional sweet. The minimal design and inner garden are having the desired effect, as I take a deep breath and chill into this incredible, effortless check-in experience.
Suites: A total of 84 suites with different Japanese styles, they all take inspiration from traditional Japanese residential structures using Japanese materials such as timber, washi paper & stone. Each suite features a large furo – a deep soaking tub intrinsic to the Japanese ritual of bathing.
They all have super spacious bedrooms (my whole Sydney apartment isn’t this big). My Grand suite features a large living area, a workspace, a dining area for 4, and a fully equipped pantry, plus the usual Toto high-tech toilets that always intrigue me.
The views are spectacular; I had stunning city views and the lush green Imperial Palace Gardens.
Dining options
The main dining area on the 33rd floor at Arva has some of the best Italian I’ve ever tasted anywhere in the world. The head Chef Masakazu Hiraki has 17 years of culinary experience in Italy, and it’s showcased in every delicious dish. The eight-metre-tall cellar display is stocked with 850 curated wines from around the globe. I could go on and on about the incredible food; however, for me, the fresh lobster pasta was a standout, loved every yummy mouthful.
Aman Tokyo high tea.
Also, the Lounge by Aman all day dining is not to be overlooked; the incredible high tea I indulged in was another reason to believe I was in food heaven.
Breakfast at Arva was another foodie delight with the fluffiest Japanese pancakes, roasted hazelnuts, and topped with ricotta and a side of whipped cream and maple syrup. What a brilliant way to ease into the day.
The Aman Wellness Spa & Pool
The 2,500sqm spa is one of the largest and best in Tokyo, encompassing two floors with a wide range of treatments all incorporating ancient Japanese healing traditions. I loved the charming traditional Japanese hot bath area with separate luxury facilities for each sex.
The 30sqm heated pool offers incredible panoramic city views and is another sanctuary to feel calm and relaxed. It’s a stunning space, and the architecture and the pool area, including the Aman chilled water, healthy snacks, and Japanese tea, complement the Zen experience that keeps you cushioned in this tranquil and natural environment that soothes the soul.
Aman pool.
The service
It’s tough to describe the level of service that’s also personalised and discreet, which makes you feel valued and special. In one word, it’s outstanding. Every staff member was warm and welcoming. In the main areas, such as the restaurants, they knew your name and where abouts, e.g., my waiter after dinner walked me to the elevators, pushed the button, and said, “Enjoy your spa treatment”. The overall service experience is understated but not underdone; you feel like a VIP without the gushiness, and the service is natural, special, and human.
A unique property
The Aman Tokyo is special in so many ways, from the contemporary design to its use of traditional Japanese materials and the spirit of engawa (the area between the garden and the living space). The touches of nature in the natural building materials, the artworks throughout the property, and the artifacts that reflect traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The local aesthetic spirit and beauty are tastefully combined at every turn in the hotel design, and the textures of nature are so beautifully woven into the Aman Tokyo.
Aman suite.
Special touches
Aman Tokyo lobby.
Sometimes it’s the little things that show attention to detail, show you care, and are a surprise and delight. The Aman Tokyo provides those in spades. Some specific examples of this are:
The final verdict
The Aman Tokyo is exceptional in every aspect, such an outstanding luxury experience that is the utmost in relaxation, rejuvenation in Japanese traditional methods, and a truly memorable hotel experience. I don’t want to keep gushing about the property except to say our current 5-star hotel evaluation criteria isn’t good enough. I’m a media guy and going to take a leaf out of the global streamers’ playbook, such as Apple+, Disney+, Paramount+, and say the Aman Tokyo is a 5-star + urban resort unlike any other hotel in the world! I loved every minute of the Aman Tokyo and dream of returning; they nearly had to call hotel security to ask me to leave.
AloJapan.com