1 Hotel Tokyo Finds Its Own Rhythm in the Heart of the City

From sweeping views of Tokyo to a Japanese breakfast at NiNi, a two-night stay at 1 Hotel Tokyo offers a closer look at the brand’s newest city address.

About a year ago, I stayed at 1 Hotel Mayfair in London, and for some reason, the experience has stuck with me. Every now and then, I’d think about the hotel—the room, the atmosphere, the little details that made me enjoy being there—and wonder what it would be like to stay at another 1 Hotels property. 

So when I booked a trip to Tokyo a few months ago, I started looking at hotels and there were a lot of them. It is one of those cities where you could spend hours scrolling through beautiful properties and still feel like you’d barely scratched the surface. 

But when I found out that 1 Hotel Tokyo was opening this year, my decision became considerably easier. Having enjoyed my stay in London, I wanted to see whether the Tokyo outpost would give me that same feeling, or whether I’d simply built up the memory of Mayfair in my head. Two nights later, I had my answer.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

One thing to know about 1 Hotel Tokyo is that it occupies part of the Akasaka Trust Tower rather than an entire building of its own. With the lobby on the 38th floor, the arrival area is relatively understated, but the welcome was warm, with the team ready to assist with my luggage and direct me upstairs.

Wood finishes and lush greenery set the tone as soon as you arrive. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward. I arrived two hours before the official check-in time and, fortunately, my room was ready. The team was accommodating, allowing me to settle in earlier than expected.

On the same floor, you’ll find more than just the reception desk. Neighbors Café serves artisan-brewed coffee, premium teas and selections from The Matcha Tokyo, making it an easy stop for a quick drink before heading out to explore the city.

Also on the 38th floor is Spotted Stone, a bar dedicated to Japanese craft gin, with more than 100 varieties displayed behind a sculptural, cloud-shaped back bar. Even if gin isn’t usually your drink of choice, the display makes for an interesting sight.

Then there’s the Farmstand, a little market where guests can buy seasonal fruits that might otherwise go to waste simply because they don’t look quite as expected. It’s a thoughtful touch that gives these fruits a second chance, and you can even grab a glass of fruit-infused water while you’re there.

INSIDE THE ROOM

1 Hotel Tokyo has 211 guestrooms, including 24 suites and three exclusive penthouses, with interiors designed by global architecture and design studio Crème. During my stay, I checked into the Skyline Lounge King, a generously sized room where hardwood floors, soft natural tones and potted plants made it easy to settle in.

The room is thoughtfully equipped. The 1 Hotel app doubles as a digital room key and lets you control the 55-inch HD smart television, while the bed comes with a plush pillow-top mattress and 100 per cent organic cotton linens.

The bathroom is stocked with Bamford bath products, and a filtered water tap means there’s no need to keep reaching for bottled water. Even the glassware is made from used and repurposed glass, a small but telling detail that reflects the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

My favourite part of the room was the lounge-style living area, complete with a sofa, an armchair and a round table. I spent much of my time here, whether catching up on work before heading out or settling back in after a day exploring Tokyo. It quickly became my little corner of the room, and probably where I spent more time than I expected.

And then there was the view. My room overlooked part of the Imperial Palace gardens, with the skyscrapers rising around the greenery. I’d find myself looking out whenever I needed a break from my screen, and it was hard not to pause for a few minutes before getting back to whatever I was doing.

SWITCHING OFF 

Wellness is a central part of the experience at 1 Hotel Tokyo, with dedicated spaces for movement, swimming and relaxation. The Field House, the hotel’s 24-hour fitness centre, is equipped with Technogym machines and offers a range of fitness classes. What caught my attention, though, was the view of Tokyo Tower. With the city stretching out beyond the windows, it certainly makes a compelling setting for a workout.

The indoor pool is another highlight and can be accessed through the Hammam rooms. Bathed in natural light, it opens onto an outdoor deck framed by greenery. The plants are selected to support pollinators, adding a small pocket of biodiversity to the urban landscape.

For a more restorative experience, Bamford Wellness Spa, created in partnership with Carole Bamford, offers a range of facial and body treatments. The menu includes a bespoke ritual combining a foot treatment, massage and facial, alongside the Japanese Bamboo Massage, which uses Kyoto bamboo tools and green tea-infused oil, and the Green Tea Healing Facial, which pairs organic Japanese skincare with pressure-point techniques.

AT THE TABLE

NiNi is built around the idea of Two Two—two coasts, two cultures and two rhythms coming together. The contemporary restaurant brings Mediterranean flavours to Tokyo, with Japanese techniques and seasonal ingredients shaping the menu. I got to try both its breakfast offering and five-course dinner menu.

Breakfast is a generous affair, with a buffet spread of fresh fruit, salads and pastries alongside continental favourites such as avocado toast, French toast and made-to-order omelettes. But I was most interested in the Japanese options. I had the choice of Kitsune Udon or a Japanese breakfast, and naturally, I went for the latter.

Served with saba fish as the catch of the day, the set came with homemade tofu, miso soup, dried seaweed and rice. The Japanese breakfast felt especially familiar to me as a Malaysian, and it was easily my favourite way to start the day in Tokyo.

Come evening, I returned to NiNi for its five-course tasting menu. My favourite dish was the Tajima aged wagyu beef sirloin, paired with smashed fried potatoes. I finished with the NiNi Chocolate Bar, a house-made chocolate bar served with coffee ice cream. I liked how the coffee ice cream cut through the richness of the chocolate, and honestly, I could have gone for another one.

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The Verdict

For all the excitement Tokyo has to offer, having somewhere to slow down at the end of the day is a luxury in itself. At 1 Hotel Tokyo, I appreciated the thought put into the details, from the considered interiors of my room to the Japanese breakfast at NiNi. These were the moments that made the stay memorable and that left me with new reasons to appreciate the brand after my experience at Mayfair. For travellers who want to explore Tokyo while having a well-designed retreat to return to, this is one hotel I’d gladly return to.

1 HOTEL TOKYO 

Address: 2 Chome-17-22 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan

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