Wired Hotel Asakusa
"How did it strike you on arrival?Talk about a hotel that knows how to work its angles. Nearly every nook and cranny has been locally crafted, from parquet flooring to its geometric-patterned textiles and tiled backsplashes. No surface feels anything less than well-considered—and considering that Wired Hotel was branded by OMGFCO, the same agency behind Ace Hotel Portland (and a handful more), it all shines with a designer touch. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Young, hip, and in-the-know. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.While the penthouse may be the most stylish in Tokyo, any of the premium rooms all bring their own level of finesse. Take Room 605, for example: neat, wide, and angular, with hand-painted wall art, wood-lined ceilings, an enclosed bath with a deep soaking tub (plus yukata robes, naturally), and an almost-unheard-of private terrace measuring more than 180 square feet. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Each and every room has a Duxiana mattress (you know, one of priciest mattresses money can buy), while even in the least indulgent category—dormitory-style bunk beds—gets a Duxiana-brand bed pad. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Considering that sweating the small stuff is pretty much OMGFCO’s specialty, expect to be amused. Each guest receives a complimentary drink ticket (grab a matcha latte on the house) while hairdryers are even tucked into linen bags embossed with artwork from a local brand. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Strong, free Wi-Fi. Room service: Worth it?Head out of the room for grub at Zakabaran, a stylish restaurant cafe on the ground floor. The menus are all seasonal; evening meals are all designed to pair with the wooden bar’s hefty list of rare Japanese sake (your complimentary drink ticket will work for a cup). The space is certainly too stylish for a stodgy breakfast buffet, so it serves plated Japanese dishes (salmon is among the most popular) with a twist (tofu donuts, for starters). Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?Who wouldn't want a free tour of the neighborhood? A few days each week, a staff member takes guests on hour-long tours throughout Asakusa, and their recommendations along the way (from restaurants to independent boutiques) deserve a medal. Bottom line: worth it, and why?In a city full of fancy hotels in the sky, this hotel keeps luxury on the down-low, embedding itself with local style and culture from its hand-crafted interiors to its pour-over matcha lattes." - Keith Flanagan
