Chris S.
Yelp
Okay, Andaz Tokyo did not pay me for this ridiculously bias review, but I'm going to say it: This is the BEST hotel I've stayed at. Period. Better than all the overrated 5-star hotels in Las Vegas. Better than the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which I had claimed was the best a while ago.
In a statement: The Andaz Tokyo is perfect. PERFECT.
The hotel is actually located on the 51st floor, whereas the entrance is, you guessed it, on the 1st floor. To get the main lobby, you take an elevator that literally only has two buttons (1 and 51) to the top floor. Upon arrival, you are greeted a staff so meticulously groomed for anyone's arrival that you're simply surrounded by people all the time. It can be a good and bad thing, but for me, it was awesome.
Check-in is very different as well. The attendant guided us to this lovely lobby area and asked us what we wanted to drink. I asked for a cup of Earl Grey and my sister had something else. After submitting our passport and credit card, we were greeted once more and escorted to our room with our luggage already being delivered to the room.
Let's not even get started on the design of this place. It's easily 100/100. The exquisite designs are found everywhere the amount you arrive. It's a typical Andaz property taken to a whole new level. The elevator itself was an artwork. Combined with a twist of a Japanese palette, it's minimal yet elegant with taste.
The guest floors for example, have this long and large hallways similar to a sci-fi gateway. It was an absolute pleasure to walk back and forth from this hallway, a thing I never heard myself say.
As for the room? I'll let the pictures do the talking. One cool note: the minibar and snacks found in the drawers are all complementary, meaning all the cokes, water, tea, crackers, chocolate and wasabi cookies are all FREE. FREE. This made us realize just how fortunate we were to NOT buy drinks.
The bathroom design is probably one of my favorites. A sink beautifully carved with a polished piece of wood, and the entire bathroom felt sultry and almost seductive-like. You get a rainfall shower and a separate tub designed for the sole purpose of indulging in a more intimate setting.
But nothing beats the view. Okay, so it's tied with the Park Hyatt Tokyo, but unless you can ask for anything better, you be hard=pressed to find a hotel with a view THIS GOOD. You just want to wake up and stare outside. It's almost dreamy.
The gym and the spa facilities were both top-notch, and are free to use for hotel guests. Again, the entry to the spa and gym facilities makes everything pale in comparison. They were simply works of art, and even those who don't adore architecture will appreciate the wonderful design given.
The pool facilities is also a one of a kind - there is a large (gigantic I might add) that overlooks the city, with a grotto to the side containing two huge, beautiful infinity hot tubs leading to a dark warm water bathing pool. This really makes the pool all the more enjoyable. The Andaz pool experience is truly spectacular. My parents spent a tremendous time at the pool and spa alone, making it a wonderful retreat for those who enjoyed their stay at the Andaz Tokyo.
Bottom Line: This is the new IT hotel in Tokyo. The Andaz Tokyo is literally on a whole new level as a luxury hotel, with a design and service element that literally takes your breath away. It's hard to verbally describe the 5-star experience, but imagine all your senses heightened to whole new heights. It's an experience worth going for yourself.
Fans of the Hyatt chain will know that the Andaz theme does not disappoint. Mature and sophisticated, the Andaz Tokyo is one that defies what a true 5-star hotel is like. In my persona opinion, this may be the best Andaz, no the best hotels in the planet, period. Everything is designed to ignite your passion and curiosity, which is what any hotel should be.
Andaz Tokyo, the new standard for luxury hotels? Yes. A definite yes.