Tokyo
Why check in? For an escapist taste of la dolce vita fused with a crafted contemporary Japanese edge, hovering in the clouds at the apex of a 45-storey skyscraper near Tokyo Station. Picture Carrara marble tables, handblown Venetian glass lighting and green-veined Italian marble, sitting comfortably alongside Japanese kimono textiles, serene sweeps of temple-like ceilings and bamboo wall baskets, all harmonised with a starry dose of Bulgari heritage.
What’s the vibe? Unadulterated grown-up glamour, which feels elegant and crafted, rather than bling. Opened in 2023, the 98-room establishment is the eighth jewel in the expanding global crown of the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Collection (the ninth and newest is Rome). Uniting the geographical disparity of the hotels – from Dubai to Paris – is a consistent design aesthetic, fusing sharp contemporary Italian design with a sensitivity to its location, with all interiors created by Milan’s ACPV Architects.
First impressions: The transition from bustling Tokyo to Bulgari universe unfolds first through ground floor walkways of black granite, marble and bursts of flowers, rising to an atmospheric 40th floor corridor lined with vintage photography and a traditional Japanese textile pattern, which fortuitously resembles Bulgari’s Diva collection – before sliding doors open to reveal an elegant palazzo-like ambiance in the cloud-brushing lobby.
Bedding down: The moment guest room doors open, blinds rise to reveal cinematic Tokyo views. The décor is no less eye-catching, with swathes of elm wood, matte gold ceilings and saffron-toned textile headboards, while spacious Bulgari-esque black granite bathrooms up the glam factor.
Time to relax: Slip into Bulgari diva mode and take a dip in the 25-metre pool and adjacent jacuzzi. Japanese-style baths, sauna and steam rooms, alongside nine treatment rooms with perfectly executed massages and A-list facials, complete the relaxation journey.
Exceptional bar and restaurants: Watch the sun set over Tokyo with cocktails on the herb-scented 45th floor roof terrace in the buzzy Bulgari Bar. Savour a cultural crossover with its gourmet offerings – from the minimalist mastery of seasonal Italian cuisine at Il Ristorante Niko Romito to the crafted Japanese intimacy of delicious sushi by Kenji Gyoten served at a cypress wood counter in Hoseki.
The Best New Hotel Award goes to the property featured in the highest-ranked position on the list that has opened during the voting period.
2 Chome-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0028, Japan
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