The Palace Hotel Tokyo Opens with Japan’s First Evian Spa

Palace Hotel TokyoA new luxury hotel made a splash on the Tokyo scene last week. Actually, the Palace Hotel Tokyo is not entirely new, but rather a new incarnation of a hotel that’s existed on this spot—a coveted piece of real estate next to the Imperial Palace-- since 1961. The top-to-bottom renovation was part of a $1.2 billion development project, and the results are positively swank. With 10 restaurants and bars helmed by top chefs, hotel management is “aiming for a constellation of Michelin-star restaurants,” says CNNGO. The Lounge Bar Privé promises dazzling views of Tokyo twinkling by night, while the Grand Kitchen has a terrace opening onto the moat of the Imperial Palace.

The spa is by Evian, the first in Japan for the French brand, and one of only two outside France. The concept is “health through water.” A 24/7 fitness center and indoor pool complements the spa facilties.

There are 12 categories of accommodation starting with the Deluxe Rooms that span a spacious 45 square meters. All 290 guest rooms overlook the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and more than half maximize these views with private balconies and terraces. A lovely Japanese touch: 300-thread count Imabari bed linens, bath towels from Ehime Prefecture, and Maruyama Nori teas manufactured in Tokyo’s Tsukiji district.

Soon the hotel will have a basement level retail center, plus access to the Otemachi subway station in 2013. The Palace Hotel Tokyo is located at 1-1-1 Marunouchi. For more information, visit www.palacehoteltokyo.com.