When Billy Joel sang about a “New York State of Mind” he was talking about going home to the Big Apple.
25.07.2023 - 12:07 / forbes.com / Art
Tucked away on a quiet corner in Shinjuku, a stone’s throw from the venerable Park Hyatt Hotel, lies Tokyo’s most unlikely 5-star property. More Manhattan than Tokyo, the Kimpton Shinjuku Hotel is nothing like most traditional Japanese luxury hotels. Inspired by New York’s art and fashion scene, and housed behind an art deco-style façade reminiscent of the skyscrapers of the Big Apple, the Kimpton is a breath of fresh air in a mostly staid luxury market – modern, youthful, stylish, whimsical, and edgy. It is everything a New York boutique hotel would want to be, only it is located in the heart of one of Tokyo’s most popular areas.
Slated to open in the run up to the much-anticipated 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the very first Kimpton property in Japan, the hotel’s plans ran smack dab into the middle of the pandemic - which not only turned the delayed Olympic Games into a virtual non-event for local hotels, but all but put a halt to international travel to Japan until late 2022. Yet, the Kimpton Shinjuku managed to open in October, 2020, and to persevere through the rest of the pandemic. Leading the way from the outset was General Manager Maxime Hotelier (yes, his name is actually Hotelier!). If there was ever someone born to run a hotel, it is the Frenchman Hotelier, whose
enthusiasm for the Kimpton is infectious, no doubt due in part to the difficult early days that the hotel and its staff were forced to endure and overcome. In fact, I sensed a certain fortitude and mettle in the spirit of the hotel likely rooted in its emergence from the pandemic. Hotelier leads an attentive, energetic and very international staff – and, notably, a very English-speaking staff (which is not always the case in Japan), making communication with the front desk and with the hotel concierge much easier for yours truly.
At the heart of the Kimpton are its social areas, particularly its dining and lounge areas – and this is no accident. The Kimpton brand, owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts, prides itself on promoting social interaction among its guests. Every day at the Kimpton Shinjuku, the hotel hosts a social hour with drinks and lite bites for its guests. This Kimpton tradition started back in 1981, when the founder of the brand, Bill Kimpton, held daily wine and cheese fireside chats with his sales team - and has since evolved in the spirit of creating connection as a signature Kimpton activity taking place every evening at its hotels around the world.
The hotel’s primary eatery is the 2nd floor District, a modern brasserie with a distinct Soho House vibe that is also a bar and lounge, and which features a lovely outdoor terrace. District was where we started our days - first with a morning juice shot accompanied by a cute
When Billy Joel sang about a “New York State of Mind” he was talking about going home to the Big Apple.
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The Peninsula Tokyo is synonymous with impeccable service, spacious rooms and tasteful luxury, however in addition to this elegant guest experience, there are also many one-of-a-kind amenities and experiences that might surprise you. You’ll turn the corner in your hallway to see something unexpected or find a nook in your room that offers more than the eye perceives at first glance. For gourmets, there’s also a room service experience that gets a modern update for the discerning culinary traveler. Here are five things to experience at The Peninsula Tokyo that you won’t find elsewhere.
"Paris syndrome" describes the feeling of visiting Paris for the first time, only to feel disappointed that the city is not as beautiful or enchanting as you expected it to be.