Pullman Tokyo Tamachi
"As you arrive at the hotel, what do you see?While largely nondescript from its exterior, the Pullman wows with its audacious interior design. A massive lobby is adorned with origami-like sculptures and geometric furnishings. It's an environment that feels precious and playful at once. So what's the story behind this place?This property, which opened in October 2018, is sleek, modern, and tranquil. It's a worthy addition to Pullman's impressive collection of 117 hotels and resorts, which are now scattered across 33 countries. What can we expect from the rooms?The standard King room makes good use of limited space, with a bureau-couch hybrid, a comfortable bed, and a separate alcove for the commode. Bathrooms have shower-tub combos and C.O. Bigelow amenities. Rooms vary little from floor to floor, but request the top level for your best chances of peering out over the Tamachi neighborhood. If this is a work trip, you'll want to upgrade from Deluxe to Universal room (or higher) to ensure you have access to a proper desk. Once we've settled in, we'd like a bite to eat. Have they got us covered?Kasa, adjacent to the lobby, does Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese accents; for instance, the kingfish carpaccio, a signature dish, is cured in kombu seaweed and prepared with a Komatsuna emulsion. Up on the ninth-floor rooftop, Platform 9 is an ode to the Yamanote metro line that runs directly below. There's a 20-page list of creative and colorful cocktails, including a riff on an Old Fashioned with yuzu and nori tincture. (Note that due to the pandemic, the majority of the hotel's food and beverage is closed, besides some grab and go and à la carte breakfast for guests.) How do the staff treat you?The service here is thoughtful and not overbearing; for instance, the concierge will consult with the hotel's bartenders and chefs before recommending restaurants. They're also happy to book you a private room at a nearby karaoke lounge or a bowling lane at Tokyo Port Bowl—two dependable forms of entertainment in this neighborhood. Who's likely to stay here?Business travelers with spunk. They might be in Tokyo for meetings, but this is where they'll loosen their ties. How about the neighborhood—is there anything fun to do nearby?Tamachi is somewhat removed from Tokyo's most frenetic neighborhoods; you might appreciate a quiet reprieve from Harajuku and Roppongi. But that doesn't mean you don't have access to whatever you're searching for. The area is brimming with bars—both for noodles and booze—and there's solid nightlife, too. Any constructive feedback about your stay?We'd want to stay on the top floor—perhaps in the spacious Universal Room. What have we missed? Any amenities that made your stay that much more comfortable?A spacious gym on the top floor, overlooking the Tamachi district, is open 24 hours and holds weights and cardio equipment. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?If you're okay with not being in the center of it all, this is as good as it gets." - Brad Japhe
