Five-star facilities and opulent, contemporary design sit alongside unbeatable wrap-around vantages of the city in this sky-high waterside property
Location
Fairmont’s first outing in Japan has “go big or go home” vibes – the hotel is located in the Blue Front Shibaura development, comprising two distinctive twin towers, housed between the 36th and 42nd floors in the south tower. That height combined with the hotel’s position by the water means that everywhere you turn you’re assailed by knock-out views: the tranquil Tokyo Bay; dazzling city skyline; iconic Tokyo Tower; and even Mount Fuji in the distance.
The position in Minato City is five minutes’ walk from well-connected Hamamatsuchō station, where you can pick up the Yamanote Line, and it’s a 28-minute Monorail journey to Haneda Airport or just 12 minutes in a taxi. From Tokyo’s main international airport, Narita, it’s just under an hour in a taxi or a 70-minute journey by public transport via the Keisei Narita Skyaccess line to Daimon station, followed by an 18-minute walk.
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The vibe
open image in galleryCosmopolitan with contemporary yet opulent flashes of upscale design – this five-star knows it has to go bold to compete with those views, with large-scale artworks, sculptures, bespoke light fixtures and dizzyingly high ceilings in the lobby, along with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Though Japanese design elements have been thoughtfully incorporated too, this very much feels like a Western import given an Asian twist – expect to see staff and guests from all over the world.
There’s a buzzy, vibrant atmosphere with international flair, courtesy of the various cultures colliding over business meetings, afterwork drinks and celebration dinners – all facilitated by a spread of five restaurants and two bars.
The service
What you’d expect of an international luxury brand: warm, attentive, impeccable (though I waited a tad longer for my morning coffee than I’d have liked). As in other Fairmont properties, there’s another layer of service unlocked for “Gold” guests, who get their own private check-in at the Gold lounge on the exclusive 42nd floor, which is also where guests can enjoy free cocktails and snacks every day between 5.30pm and 7pm.
Bed and bath
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open image in galleryThe hotel has 217 rooms, including 29 suites, split into 10 room categories. These range from the large Fairmont King to the extra-large Presidential Suite. The latter features panoramic views; living, working and dining areas; and premium amenities, such as a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and Airwrap multi-Styler, 75-inch Smart TV with Sony sound bar and Bluetooth Devialet Speakers.
Design is sleek and modern Japanese across the bedrooms – think quiet luxury, with curated objets-d’art populating uplit shelves – to ensure that the real star of the show, the view, remains centre stage. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around two full sides of my room, and I could have spent hours staring out at the calming bay and Rainbow Bridge. (Luckily, black-out blinds and thick, heavy curtains can be opened or closed at the touch of a button on the bedside control panel.)
Wood floors and neutral walls are given an injection of texture by a burnt-orange velvet chaise longue and couch, burgundy cushions, matte-gold barware, vast marble splashbacks and mahogany-toned leather accents, including a bespoke Fairmont Nespresso machine. Grey stone, rainforest shower heads and an expansive tub enhance the bathroom, which is stocked with Le Labo Santal 33 products.
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Food and drink
There is plenty to choose from across Fairmont’s impressive roster of five restaurants, several of which serve authentic Japanese cuisine.
At Totsuji, traditional teppanyaki is given a creative reboot, with Japanese Wagyu being the main event alongside a reimagined okonomiyaki (a teppanyaki savoury pancake) with crispy parmesan. There are also wood-fired pizzas and fire-grilled meat on offer at Mediterranean brasserie Kiln and Tonic, French-Japanese fusion at Vue Mer and Western-influenced gourmet fare at Driftwood – my one sub-par experience was being served a distinctly undercooked tiger prawn here.
open image in galleryMigiwa is perhaps the showstopper. At the intimate six-seat counter, diners can watch sushi that merges heritage and modern influences being hand-crafted and served up on Kintsugi-restored plates (the Japanese art of mending broken crockery using gold lacquer). Be sure to try the signature yuzu cold noodles.
Breakfast is a huge, elaborate spread catering to international and Japanese tastes, with everything from a full Japanese breakfast (complete with seafood, rice, hotpot and omelette) to pastries, avo on toast and açaí bowls.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten- or dairy-free options are available, alongside children’s options; those with allergies or celiac disease are advised to communicate dietary requirements in advance when booking.
Come sundown, the Fairmont’s two bougie bars come into play. Don’t miss the secret “listening” bar Off Record, an intimate after-hours joint where a DJ curates the playlist from the bar’s library of vinyl, and the cocktail menu is listed on an LP with some drinks written in invisible ink that can only be seen under UV torchlight. Yes, really.
Facilities
A state-of-the-art 24-hour gym is available for insomniac gym bunnies, while the 35th-floor wellness area is where you’ll find a 20-meter indoor infinity pool, sundeck and outdoor relaxation pool all boasting uninterrupted views of Tokyo Tower and the city skyline. There are also sauna and mist rooms, loungers and cabanas, plus a spa offering four curated “wellness journeys”.
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Accessibility
Fairmont provides various accessible features, such as wheelchair-friendly entrances, lifts and specially designed guest rooms with widened doorways and accessible bathrooms.
Pet policy
Pets weighing up to 15kg are allowed for an additional fee. The hotel has even launched a “PAW-tastic” package, including private in-room check-in, curated dog amenities, and a three-course gourmet canine dinner. Guests are gifted a luxury dog bed stitched with their pooch’s name and face to take home as a personalised keepsake.
Check-in/check-out
Check-in is from 3pm; check-out is until 12pm.
Family friendly?
Children aged 11 and under can share parents’ rooms using existing bedding; extra beds are available for an additional charge of JPY 25,450 (£118).
At a glance
Best thing: The knock-out views of both city and water.
Perfect for: Travellers who want the comfort and familiarity of international luxury with a Tokyo twist a world away from home.
Not right for: A “traditional”-feeling Japanese stay.
Instagram from: The 35th-floor terrace, with options to snap the waters of Tokyo Bay, the twinkling cityscape or iconic Tokyo Tower – especially at night.
Address: 1-1-1 Shibaura, Minato ku 1050023 Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81 3 6868 0317
Website: fairmont.com
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Helen was a guest of Fairmont Tokyo