On my many visits to Tokyo, I’ve stayed in a variety of hotels, from capsule hotels in Akihabara to the ultra-luxurious Janu Tokyo. But for years, I’ve been obsessed with one hotel — the towering Park Hyatt Tokyo — best known for its star turn in Lost in Translation and as a jewel in the World of Hyatt loyalty program.
Now that the Park Hyatt Tokyo has reopened after a 19-month closure and a head-to-toe makeover, TPG was on hand during its opening week to see if the legendary hotel deserves to retain a spot on World of Hyatt loyalists’ “must visit” lists. (Hint: You should!)
This is what it’s like to stay at the new-look Park Hyatt Tokyo.
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first impression
To reach the lobby of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, guests must enter the Kenzo Tange-designed Shinjuku Park Tower and quickly ascend to the 41st floor. Here, elevator doors open to a sun-drenched atrium with a soaring geo-patterned glass ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows. There are sweeping views of Tokyo, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Fuji. It’s a dramatic entrance, befitting a dramatic hotel.
Beginning in the atrium, the quiet drama continues as guests are led through a series of maze-like corridors, all with stunning views. You pass through a modernist library filled with natural wood bookshelves, past the new Alain Ducasse bistro (and its collection of black-and-white Vera Mercer photos), and finally arrive at a dimly lit, carpeted lobby that sets the tone for the rest of this stylish hotel.
From sleek teal carpets to textured wallpapers, clever lighting and wooden accents, Jouin Manku – the Paris design studio behind the hotel’s refreshed interiors – pays homage to the Park Hyatt Tokyo’s iconoclastic original design from 1994, but with a subtle modern twist.
I found the overall atmosphere of the hotel to feel more formal, but not stuffy. Luxury hospitality comes in all shapes and sizes, and the style at the Park Hyatt Tokyo feels more traditional than other luxury hotels I’ve stayed at in Tokyo.
Room
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The Park Hyatt Tokyo has 171 guest rooms and suites. During my two-night stay during opening week, I stayed in a deluxe room with two single beds and stunning views of Tokyo, including a glimpse of Yoyogi Park. Luckily for me, this room is reminiscent of the iconic shot of Scarlett Johansson sitting on the windowsill in Lost in Translation.
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To me, this room feels very Japanese and somewhat minimalist, sophisticated and conservative.
A long leather headboard and room control panel surround the two double beds, which are plush, comfortable and cloud-like.
A chair, dining table and daybed occupy the other side of the room, framing the windows to ensure the fabled view is front and center.
A massive 65-inch TV (with streaming service) dominates the entertainment console, while a handsome cabinet system houses a minibar, coffee machine, glassware, tea sets and snacks.
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The cabinets open to the side and feature drawers, paying homage to the aesthetic work of the hotel’s original designer, John Morford. The entire room is filled with Japanese elements, including magnolia leaf decorations and washi paper lamps by famous designer Isamu Noguchi.
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The bathroom features top-of-the-line amenities such as a double vanity, large mirror, Aesop toiletries and a Dyson hairdryer.
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The glass-enclosed room features a soaking tub with a shower, making it easy to soak in for a while and rinse off, in true Japanese style.
My favorite Japanese hotel amenity is a beautiful toilet with a heated seat and electric bidet located in another room next to it.
There is a small but functional walk-in closet at the end of the bathroom. In the cupboard drawer I found a beautiful Japanese yukata, a kimono-style nightgown that was comfortable to wear around the room.
Dining at the Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Park Hyatt Tokyo features the New York Bar, New York Grill, Girandole by Alain Ducasse (which doubles as the hotel’s breakfast room), Japanese restaurant Kozue, Delicatessen, The Peak Lounge and Bar, and a ground-level pastry boutique.
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Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy
On the first day, I went to The Peak Lounge and Bar for a sunset afternoon tea experience ($64 per person). From there, I watched the sun disappear over Mount Fuji and Tokyo light up at dusk, while enjoying an array of delicacies such as smoked duck breast, onion and fig tart, and a mouth-watering bowl of poached egg snow crab—plus, of course, sumptuous desserts and baked goods from the cake cart.
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Breakfast at luxury hotels in Asia is impeccable, and the breakfast at the Park Hyatt Tokyo is no exception. I ordered the traditional Japanese breakfast set from the menu. Although I was told it would take about 15 minutes to prepare, it ended up taking significantly longer, but it was worth the wait. Frankly, I had almost no idea what was in the box – luckily the visual map on the tray explained each dish, helping me understand that I was eating Japanese favorites like grilled halibut with dried radish and cod roe, as well as more familiar fare like miso soup and white rice.
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Guests can also enjoy a Western breakfast and a buffet of dishes such as potato and lobster salad or fresh yogurt served in delicate glass containers. For those looking for a light meal, there’s also an impressive selection of pastries, breads, cereals and fruits.
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Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy
For this New Yorker, dinner at the 52nd-floor New York Grill feels like coming home, thanks to its vibrant energy, chatty crowd and overall grand feel. The food is also delicious. My colleagues and I enjoyed a mouth-watering plate of pan-fried Japanese scallops ($35), a slightly bland shrimp cocktail with Thousand Island-style dipping sauce ($30), a hearty and tender grilled Australian lamb chop ($57), and a satisfying tahini cauliflower steak with miso sauce ($27). Be sure to grab a window seat to enjoy endless views of Tokyo.
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Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy
By far my favorite spot in the hotel is the New York Bar, which was inspired by New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. For me, a fantastic night out at a hotel involves whiskey and jazz, and this bar did not disappoint. On both nights I visited, I listened to incredible live jazz and soaked up the music and gorgeous city views while sipping on Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Sours (both $17) from the cocktail menu from different eras.
Considering I visited during opening week, it’s worth noting that there were some minor service issues throughout the dining experience, mostly related to timing. I’m sure the hotel bar and restaurant will be back on their feet soon, and every hotel staff member has made up for the delay with sheer kindness and Japanese hospitality.
Facilities and services
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- Club on the Park is a multi-level club and spa with a sparkling indoor pool surrounded by windows, a comprehensive gym (with incredible views, not surprisingly) and separate men’s and women’s steam rooms, saunas and bathhouses.
- The friendly doormen can arrange transportation and provide assistance to guests, such as umbrellas on rainy days.
- Four event spaces of varying sizes are available for on-site booking.
Location and logistics
Park Hyatt Tokyo is located on the 39th to 52nd floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. While Shinjuku is a busy neighborhood, this hotel is in a quieter, more business-oriented part of the district, so if you want to be in the center of the action, you’ll probably go elsewhere.
The hotel is about a 30-minute drive from Haneda Airport (HND), where a taxi will cost $50 to $70, depending on traffic and time of day. It is approximately 47 miles from Narita International Airport (NRT) and less than 1 mile from Shinjuku Station.
How much does a room cost at Park Hyatt Tokyo
Cash prices at the Park Hyatt Tokyo can fluctuate wildly depending on the season, but we’ve found rates as low as around $700 per night, although during peak times, prices can easily climb to over $1,000 per night.
As a Category 8 World of Hyatt hotel, standard awards start at approximately 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Suites can be booked using 61,000 points per night, but it is currently difficult to find suites that can be redeemed with points.
When booking a Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel, you’ll want to use a credit card that earns the most points on Hyatt stays, as well as a credit card that may automatically provide World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
Accessibility
Park Hyatt Tokyo is a convenient hotel with accessible rooms and public spaces, as well as a dedicated webpage with more information. As always, TPG recommends contacting the hotel directly to confirm accessibility before booking.
bottom line
The Park Hyatt Tokyo opened in 1994, revolutionizing the luxury hotel industry in Tokyo. Now, 30 years later, the hotel’s new upgrades feel fresh and modern, while still respecting what made the hotel original and unique. As a huge fan of Lost in Translation, it’s great to see that the new design still largely reflects the iconic hotel’s cinematic legacy.
Sure, it can feel a little formal at times, and there are still some new hotel jitters to work out. But all in all, there’s a reason Park Hyatt Tokyo is a legend in the World of Hyatt ecosystem—and now it’s back and better than ever.
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