Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

From the lobby and elevators to the hallways, the hotel's attention to detail truly stands out. The tower room was simple, clean, and comfortable, and the staff's service was incredibly professional and thoughtful. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with my 6-day stay!

The service here truly embodies the 'old money' style, especially from the older gentlemen. They provide that incredibly polite, Japanese-style service, and even if they don't speak English, a simple gesture is enough for them to understand your needs (something I also experienced at hotels in Japan). The younger staff, however, are not quite on the same level. There are three restaurants: American, Japanese, and a buffet. The buffet is always crowded, so I recommend trying the American or Japanese restaurants instead. The service is excellent, the food is exquisite, and the portions are smaller, which is perfect for us older folks. Staying in the main building is very convenient; a taxi to Takashimaya for shopping is around 1400 JPY, great for those who prefer one-stop shopping at a department store without getting tired. A taxi from Haneda Airport to the hotel is about 8000 JPY – Tokyo's subway lines are too complex unless you have a lot of stamina. Despite Tokyo being bustling, if you avoid peak hours, taxis usually don't get stuck in traffic. We stayed for four nights and received turn-down service every evening, which felt a bit environmentally unfriendly (they change all the towels and crockery again during turn-down). You can press the 'Do Not Disturb' button by the door if you prefer not to have it. If you have an early morning flight, you can exchange your room card for biscuits or chocolates at the first-floor cake shop the night before – this is something they inform you about upon check-in. Overall, their attention to service detail is far superior to the Imperial Hotel in Osaka. Many local 'old money' patrons stay here, and there are always newlyweds taking wedding photos in the lobby. Despite the high traffic, the service is busy but never chaotic; everyone entering is promptly attended to. If you're here for leisure, a stroll through Hibiya Park, the government office area, or the Imperial Palace grounds is very pleasant. (All photos are of the hotel interior.)

I stayed here during the Chinese New Year. The front desk wished me a Happy New Year when I checked in, and even came over to greet my family who were sitting on the sofa nearby. We stayed in the Tower building, which is a bit of a walk, but someone escorted us the first time. The high floor offered a decent view of Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace right outside the window – the location is simply unbeatable, and it's super convenient to walk to Ginza. For breakfast, there are several restaurants to choose from, but most people recommend the buffet on the 17th floor. Make sure to go before 9:00 AM, otherwise, you'll be waiting a long time for a table. The hotel is a bit old, but it's very well-maintained, and the room was spotless. During my stay, there were several weddings every day, which brought a nice festive touch. Even after checking out, I didn't have to carry my luggage myself; they helped me all the way from inside the hotel to loading it into the taxi. It was a very pleasant stay.

The tower building is a bit inconveniently located from the main building. This was my first time booking, so I didn't realize the room decor is completely different too. For those who are booking based on the nice photos online, I highly recommend booking the main building directly and avoiding the tower.

If Tokyo is an endless cyberpunk fantasy, then the Imperial Hotel is its most sober yet gentle annotation. I recommend heading to the atrium at dusk for a classic martini. Outside, the layered greenery of Hibiya Park unfolds, with the glimmering neon lights of Ginza in the distance. In that moment, you'll understand the true essence of the Imperial Hotel—it acts as an anchor in time. No matter how much the outside world changes, stepping inside transports you back to a golden era, where dignity and etiquette were paramount.