Risen anew on the site of the former Akasaka Prince, The Prince Gallery is a luxury hotel from which the whole of Tokyo can be taken in at a glance, and a place to enjoy the city to the full. Even among the towers of Kioicho, it stands out.
The Hotel New Otani is right next door, and Akasaka is only a short walk away. This is the district where many of Tokyo’s best-known hotels stand side by side, and it was here that we headed.
Arrival in the sky
Guests take a lift up from a mezzanine level that connects to the street, and the hotel entrance sits at the heart of the tower. When you step out, Tokyo’s skyline fills your view in one bold sweep. The city looks like a diorama, and we amused ourselves picking out the Skytree, the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and other landmarks from above.
The entrance hall is simple and uncluttered: modern without any needless glitter, a calm way in. Down on the mezzanine, valet parking was available for guests arriving by car (for an additional charge).
Check-in at a hotel ought always to be swift. Here, thanks to a clear explanation that covered only the essentials, and a building that is not overly large, we had our key cards in hand without any fuss.
A room of glass and light
Step into the room and an entire wall of glass opens onto the high-rises. The light is superb, almost dazzling when the sun streams in. All the switches are by the entrance, so the curtains, air conditioning and lighting can be controlled from one place, which is convenient.
We do not usually get on with double beds, yet we both slept soundly. The mattress is first-class: when one of us turned over, the other felt no movement at all.
Marriott Bonvoy elite members can ordinarily expect a complimentary room upgrade at the group’s hotels, but on this occasion, we were told, none was available. Even so, for the purposes of this review we had booked a plan that included club lounge access, and the room was lavish, spacious and quite special.
A bath above the rooftops
Glass, even here! The see-through bathroom felt as if it stood higher than the surrounding towers, and a single button lowers a blind over the window. With the Tokyo view, a television and a rain shower, it is an ideal place to linger: the towering skyline by day, the city lights by night, and time to let the hours slow down. As this is a city hotel, there is no large communal bath or hot spring.
The amenities and bath set were neatly arranged without a speck of dust, which was a pleasure to find.
The club lounge
The lounge is on the same floor as our room. When choosing where to stay, it is worth considering where the facilities (restaurants, lounge, communal baths and so on) are located, and how far they are from your room.
On arrival, the lounge serves a welcome glass of champagne. Because of the pandemic, staff brought everything to the table on this visit; ordinarily, guests help themselves to a buffet of light bites and free-flowing drinks. With the finest of views beside us, more sweets than we could possibly finish and well-chilled champagne, it was a lovely interlude.
Everything from soft drinks to coffee and alcohol is freely available. As we approached the coffee machine, a member of staff was at our side at once: “We also have decaf.” That kind of attention to more recent preferences is just what one hopes for from a luxury hotel.
Refills are, of course, unlimited, but since the lounge can be used as often as you like during your stay, we saved its further pleasures for later.
Landmarks from the window
The view from the window changed every time we looked. The Hotel New Otani close by, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Tower and, in the distance, the Skytree: unmistakable landmarks, all visible from the room. As Tokyo natives who live outside the twenty-three central wards, we found it thrilling.
The room works just as well for laptop work and business; it is easy to concentrate here. The open interior, the glass and the sky make you forget how crowded the city is.
Half of the room’s walls are window, and the curtains open fully. Opening, closing and dimming are all automatic, each at the touch of a button.
Sunset, beer and a cheese board on request
After a leisurely rest in the room, we went back to the lounge for a beer. Needless to say, it suited the sunset beautifully.
Feeling a little peckish, we asked the staff and learned that an assortment of appetisers is served from early evening: a remarkably lavish spread of snacks.
Then we pushed our luck a little further: “I don’t suppose there’s any chance of some cheese? I know it isn’t on the menu.” Without the slightest sign of reluctance, the reply came: “I’ll check with the kitchen right away.” Moments later, this splendid plate arrived.
The cheese board went beyond anything we had imagined, and we felt rather sheepish. (Please note that requests cannot always be accommodated.)
The extra cost of lounge access felt entirely justified. Impressed by the quality of what was served and the warmth of the staff, we found ourselves making the most of it. Time here is precious, so do not be shy: indulging yourself a little may well make for a more satisfying trip.
At a hotel, dinner usually means finding and booking a restaurant yourself, but with drinks and service of this standard in the lounge, some guests may find it does the job of dinner.
Dining beyond the hotel
On this trip we took neither dinner nor breakfast in the hotel, and explored the neighborhood instead.
We used public transport or simply walked, eating out in nearby Akasaka and Minami-Aoyama. Staying at a Tokyo hotel, you can try the hotel’s recommended dishes, indulge in room service, or head out to the area’s well-known restaurants. Hidden restaurants and takeaways that you discover only because you are on foot can be just as rewarding. The excitement of planning all these possibilities is a pleasure quite different from a stay at a ryokan.
We also heard that the hotel’s restaurants may already be fully booked by the time you check in, so if you decide to stay, it is worth securing a table early.
Tokyo by night
Even a familiar Tokyo night view feels different from a new vantage point. Pay fresh attention to the change from daylight to the small hours and it is genuinely moving. In photographs it may look like nothing but towers, yet spotting a Japanese garden, or a pocket of greenery tucked among the concrete, adds its own fascination.
With glass throughout the hotel, hunting for a favorite night-view spot is a pleasure in itself.
After exploring the neighborhood and returning from dinner, we caught the moment Tokyo Tower changed color. We ended the day with a nightcap in the lounge, savoring every unhurried minute.
Final thoughts
Living in Tokyo and staying in Tokyo makes for an intriguing kind of journey, offering a refined kind of time quite different from the gentle natural beauty of the countryside.
We hear the hotel has been awarded five stars in the Forbes Travel Guide 2021, and we look forward to seeing how it develops.
This review reflects a stay in late 2020. Lounge service was adapted for the pandemic at the time; please confirm current details directly with the hotel before visiting.
