ONE@Tokyo

"How did it strike you on arrival?The entrance will floor you: a lattice of wooden planks frames four openings in a ten-story concrete building. There’s no mistaking ONE@Tokyo as anything other than a design hotel, and Kengo Kuma’s exterior is just the first of industrial cues taken from Tokyo's downtown’s factories. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The bulk of accomodations are Studio rooms, which are edgy and ultra-compact. Walls are lined with plywood (a triangular desk juts from the paneling like a fin) while the industrial look is followed through with metallic sinks and glass-walled showers. All in all, it might make any spatially inclined guests feel like they need to suck it in as they inch their ways into the 150-square-foot studios; the upper-level suites and Loft rooms (the latter of which is twice the size, some with views of Tokyo Skytree) might be easier to stomach. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The beds are comfortable and double as storage (tuck your luggage in the space underneath). How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Ah, so you don’t have an international plan? Luckily, smartphones are stocked in each room. They’re good for local—and even some international—calls, and can access the internet and social media when you’re roaming the city. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Free, fast Wi-Fi. And it’s worth repeating: Those phones have free connection, too. Room service: Worth it?The room-service menu is a short but flavor-packed lineup (sirloin steak, anyone?). But, especially if you’re tucked in a Studio, it’s best to indulge in the open lobby where a nearly 50-foot-long table stretches across the ground floor and connects to the lobby café. Breakfast? Totally free. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.High up in the hotel, a terrace offers one of the closest hotel views of Tokyo Skytree. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?While Tokyo Skytree looms at the doorstep, the bulk of attractions aren’t directly in the neighborhood—but visiting Tokyo means boarding a train (or three) no matter where you stay. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It’s worth it for guests who find comfort in minimalism (price included)." - Keith Flanagan