Except perhaps for Tokyo’s own imposing grande dame, The Imperial Hotel, there’s probably no other hotel more iconic and well-known as the Park Hyatt. The hotel has long cultivated a well-regarded standing as one of the metropolis’s premier hotels, before being elevated into a cult-like status due to its prominence in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. Hence, it is no surprise that each night, a constant barrage of guests queue for a seat at the hotel’s New York Bar for a chance to live their own scene out of the film. However, having never been renovated since its opening in July 1994, does the 177-key hotel still hold true to its venerable reputation?

Booking Park Hyatt Tokyo

Still feeling bittersweet about being unable to return to Tokyo for three years, I looked for a place to truly immerse myself in the city for the last stop on this trip. It is no surprise that I sought a chance to stay at the Park Hyatt again having had fond memories of the hotel from my last stay six years ago. Even since then, the cash rates have steadily shot up, with an entry-level room at the Park regularly costing upwards of JPY160,000 or ~USD1100. Reflecting the state of the hotel market in Tokyo, this had coincidentally been the rate for a nice Park Suite back in 2017!

Undeterred, I ended up draining what was left of my World of Hyatt account, at a nightly cost of 30,000 points. In any case, this would’ve been the most affordable way to get a room, bar having access to corporate discounts.

Park Hyatt Tokyo Location

Park Hyatt Tokyo is located in the Shinjuku ward, a bit up north of the central core of the Tokyo Metropolis. Whilst the very mention of Shinjuku might concoct images of bright lights and busy streets, the Park Hyatt is nestled in a quieter area of the district populated by towering yet peculiarly calm office towers. In fact, the hotel occupies the top floors of the Kenzo Tange-designed Shinjuku Park Tower – aptly named considering that the hotel is adjacent to the massive Shinjuku Park.

Having said that, bear in mind that the hotel isn’t close to the bustling Shinjuku Station or any other train station for that matter. Instead, the hotel operates a scheduled shuttle bus service that goes to the station at regular intervals.

Arrival at Park Hyatt Tokyo

After checking out from Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, we took the easy way out and partook in a taxi ride for our journey to the Park Hyatt. Easily enough (though eye-wateringly expensive), we arrived at the Shinjuku Park Tower within a 30-minute drive from Bunkyo. As we pulled into the porte-cochère of the Park Hyatt, we were greeted by two crisp-uniformed porters who took care of our bags.

We then proceeded inside and walked past the hotel’s timeless ground-level lobby straight towards the lift lobby. Soon after, we were well on our way up to Level 41, where the hotel’s sky lobby lies.

Despite its age, the hotel’s little design details and artwork have been one to set it apart from any other hotel in Tokyo. Fun fact: Due to the difference in brightness between the ground-level entrance and the hotel’s lobby, the lights in the lifts gradually brighten as you ascend up the tower.

Once at the top, you’ll find yourself facing the Peak Lounge, where afternoon tea is served. To actually reach the reception, you would have to traverse a series of successive beautiful yet moody corridors (well, three corridors). That’s quite a bit of walking involved just to get to check-in, but hey, it doesn’t get any prettier than this!

Checking-in

At the right end of the library corridor, is the dimly lit reception. There, a member of the hotel’s welcome staff greeted us and requested we sit and wait at an empty reception desk. After a few minutes, a reception agent showed up, who courteously welcomed us to the hotel and took care of our check-in formalities. Although it was just around 12.00 by the time we were at the reception, we were surprised to be told that our room is ready.

After signing a couple of forms, we were issued a pair of beautiful metal key fobs, which replaced the hotel’s traditional keys from a few years back. After receiving our keys, our reception agent passed us over to her colleague who escorted us to our room on Level 44.

Our Park Twin Room

We were assigned a corner room in our Park Twin category which was located at the far end of the corridor from the lift lobby. For one, I adored the dimly lit and moody corridor, which I found to be very elegant. I’d have to admit that once outside my room, I missed the feeling of unlocking the door with physical keys.

In fact, Park Hyatt Tokyo had such keys at the specific request of the hotel’s interior designer, John Morford. During my last stay, I was told that Morford likened these keys to effectuate a sense of coming home.

Bedroom

As we were brought inside, the reception agent who escorted us attempted to explain the features of the room. I say attempted since she admitted that she was new and didn’t know where a few of the room and blind controls were located. I told her it was no trouble since I vaguely remembered how to operate the room’s functions.

Disregarding that, the room is sized at a generous 45 sqm or 485 sqft featuring two very comfortable oversized single beds. As I had remembered from my previous stay, the room’s lights and blinds are controlled with the glass knobs located on each bedside. nightstand. Whilst not precisely obvious or practical, it definitely looked stylish.

Across from the bed is an old-looking yet well-padded armchair and ottoman combination. Depending on your mood, the chair is light enough to be positioned facing the window or the relatively small television. Curiously, the table next to the armchair features a harp ornament on its stand – just another example of the small details of the design.

Also, in addition to the DVD player inside the television console, there is also a small Bluetooth-enabled Bose speaker. Finally, next to the television is a large desk with two chairs, which can also easily double as a dining table.

Welcome amenities

A small welcome gift of Kyoto-style candies was left in a nicely packaged box on the table by the armchair. Complementing it is a printed welcome note from the general manager. Whilst relatively small and insignificant, it was a nice enough gesture on the part of the hotel.

I really liked that it is possible to look out the windows whilst sitting on practically any piece of furniture in the bedroom. I mean if you were to immerse yourself in a view of Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo is definitely high up in the game. As such, I appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into the design of the room.

Minibar

Located behind the desk is a stereotypical pod coffee machine, as you ought to expect from a luxury hotel anywhere in the world. Not being a big coffee drinker myself, I found myself very much preferring a Dolce Gusto machine like that at Prince Hotel Tokyo, which brews more than just coffee. But I’m sure others would beg to differ.

Right behind the desk and coffee machine and next to the entrance is the oversized minibar. Curiously in addition to the ordinary tea and kettle set, there is also a (paid) array of whisky and liquor. In the past, this used to be exclusively Japanese whisky, although the selection has since changed. The hotel also provides disposable cups, which I think is a thoughtful gesture to get coffee on the go.

Storage

The room’s closet and storage are located by the entrance and across from the bathroom door. Whilst there are a few racks and cabinets in addition to the luggage rack inside the closet, there is an additional drawer closet for storage in the entrance foyer.

Bathroom

The bathroom is located by the entrance and features an oversized bathtub, alongside a separate walk-in shower. Thoughtfully, the sink and vanity area has a padded bench, which I imagine makes it convenient for those wanting to put on makeup or otherwise.

In addition, much like the offering at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, there is a small flat-screen television placed on the vanity top. In that sense, it is possible to watch the news or otherwise, whilst taking a bath or even a shower, if that’s something up your avenue.

Finally, on the far end of the bathroom is the toilet cubicle, which is separated from the rest of the bathroom with a door. Like any self-respecting luxury hotel in Japan, Park Hyatt Tokyo has heated Toto Neorest toilets, which I really like. The cubicle also has a wall-mounted telephone, which you don’t really see often anymore nowadays.

I can’t really put my finger on it, but there’s something about the bathroom’s design that I find really appealing. Perhaps it the vanity that completely clad in mirrors and shelves made of glass, or the less conventional checkered design of the polished stone bathroom floors. In any case, I felt that the design of the bathroom is a spectacle of its own.

Bath amenities

The bath amenities were nice enough, being Le Labo Bergamote 22. This makes it in-line with most Park Hyatts around the world, which also offers Bergamote 22 or some other variation of Le Labo. Whilst I quite like Le Labo, I felt that it’s a shame they replaced the old Aesop toiletries, which I felt was much better than this. For one, the Aesop amenities made Park Hyatt Tokyo different to any other ordinary Park Hyatts elsewhere.

Amenities

Park Hyatt Tokyo has a health and wellness facility called The Club on the Park, located on Level 47 of the shortest of the three towers occupied by the hotel. To reach the facility, you’d have to go back down to the reception level and take a separate pair of lifts that also goes to the New York Bar and Grill. You’ll find yourself on Level 45, where the small fitness reception is located. After registering, you can go up another lift to Level 47, where the pool and gymnasium are located.

Gymnasium

At The Club on the Park, there are two distinct sides of the space dedicated for the gymnasium. Whereas one focuses on cardio equipment, the other features solely weights and dumbells, as well as weight machines like the chest press and other various trainers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to snap a picture of the other side, for reasons I’ll explain in a bit.

Given the gymnasium’s location on the 47th floor, you’d get some fabulous views of the surrounding buildings in Shinjuku. I mean look at that view! It’s as if you were on top of the world when you’re doing your cardios here. As such, there are definitely worse places to do your exercise in Tokyo ;).

Since I intended to swim, I quickly went to the changing rooms to get changed and rinse myself before getting in the pool. Interestingly, the shower in the changing room appears to be the last place in the hotel with Aesop bath amenities, which I love.

Pool

The pool takes up the entire central area of Level 47, spanning nearly the entire length of the floor. There are three lap lanes, one of which is reserved exclusively for The Club on the Park fitness members. There is also one general use lane, which I think might be useful for pool yoga or something. As I expressed my interest to use the pool, the friendly pool attendant approached me to ask whether I brought goggles and a swim cap. When I replied, I didn’t, he came back with a pair and a towel, which I appreciated.

On one side of the pool is a series of open showers, to rinse oneself off before entering the pool. Across it is a row lounge chairs, which are complemented by another row along one width of the pool and a few patio table sets across it. Much like the gymnasium, the pool area features large windows that overlooks the Tokyo skyline. The view is especially beautiful at night from the lounge chairs at the far end of the pool.

No Photography?(!)

Annoyingly, there is a rule against photography in the pool area, supposedly for privacy reasons. I don’t recall there ever being such a rule in my last stay, so I imagine this might have showed up in recent years. Funnily enough, beyond the absurdity of the rule, the entrance to the New York Bar (which is probably where most photos at the Park Hyatt are taken) looks straight down to the pool. This I think defeats the purpose of this rule.

I did manage to take these photos after reasoning with the staff on the logic that nobody were in them. Given how common and widespread it is for people to take pictures at a pool area – whether in Japan or elsewhere in the world – I felt that this rule is very strange. Curiously enough, there isn’t a rule against bringing your own food to consume by the pool area. In fact, there were quite a few people who lounged around and ate their home-made bentos in the area.

Service

As far as service goes, nothing really stood out in particular to me. Yes, the staff at the hotel were reasonably friendly and courteous, although that’s something you’d automatically expect from a hotel in Japan, let alone a Park Hyatt. It felt as if everyone were just going over the motions. For instance, the staff didn’t seem to greet guests proactively, which I think is a low bar. Like that, apart from the beautiful decor, I just felt like a guest at some random upscale hotel in Tokyo. Additionally, requests like luggage delivery were very slow, which I find surprising.

Despite that, I do have to praise our check-in agent, who proactively offered us a late check-out to 13.00, which surely smoothened our departure. So kudos to her.

Overall

Overall, I felt despite its age, the Park Hyatt still holds true to its reputation as one of Tokyo’s best hotels. Well, at least when it comes to hardware. Personally, I found the room to be very comfortable, retaining a lot of 90s charm whilst still looking very stylish. However, between the mostly institutional service and the rather inconvenient location, as well as the drastically high rates, I don’t see that much reasonable appeal to the hotel. It was great to have come back, although I don’t know if I’d be rushing to return (at least to stay).

Whilst there are many things to be improved, I’ll have to admit that I’ll always be fond of the Kenzo Tange and John Morford’s incredible design work. I surely hope they don’t change too much when it comes to the refurbishment planned for the hotel in 2024.

Read more from this trip here!