Review: Prince Park Tower, Tokyo
Hotels | Japan | March 05, 2020 | Hollie-Rae Brader
The 33-storey property stands tall above Shiba Koen, one of Japan’s oldest parks
Location: In the Minato district within touching distance of the city’s most famous landmark – Tokyo Tower. The 33-storey property stands tall above Shiba Koen, which is one of Japan’s oldest parks. The nearest subway stations are five minutes away, offering access to the Oedo and Mita lines.
First impressions: You can’t escape Prince Park Tower’s sheer size. From the ground-floor reception, you can look all the way up to the top floor, and watch half a dozen lifts flitting from floor to floor. The staff are incredibly attentive in the main lobby area and even more so in the Club Lounge area. Here, the staff-to-guest ratio is particularly impressive. The first impression and lasting memory this hotel will leave guests with is the outstanding view it offers from every angle – those staying in a room facing the iconic Tokyo Tower are in for a treat.
The facts: The Prince Park Tower is part of the Preferred Hotels LVX collection. There are 603 rooms and suites, with the Japanese Garden Suites featuring traditional screens and tatami floors. The three top suites (Harbour, City and Rainbow) are located on the Royal Floor (floor 32). Guests in these suites, and those staying on the Premium Club Floors, get access to the Club Lounge. The hotel’s impressive facilities include seven restaurants. Sushi fans should head to Hamashiba to watch master chefs prepare nigiri and sashimi, while for international cuisine and amazing views, Brise Verte on the 33rd floor is the place to go. The spa features two natural saltwater onsens offering mineral-rich waters drawn from beneath Shiba Koen. The hotel also boasts a 12-lane bowling alley, boulangerie and numerous high-end boutiques.
Explore: Minato’s bars and restaurants are worth exploring, particularly on your first night in Tokyo, when you might prefer to stay close to home. Head to the nearby Zojoji Temple, Nezu Museum and Roppongi Hills on foot to get your bearings. The major attractions to tick off include the Tokyo Skytree, the Imperial Palace and the Shibuya district. If your client has time, a bullet train ride to Mount Fuji is worth recommending.
Wow: The view of Tokyo Tower is outstanding – I must have at least 100 photos of the red-and-white landmark. Recommend clients who can’t see it from their rooms grab a table by the window at the Sky Lobby bar, ideally at sunset.
Book it: A Premium King Room starts at £825.
Hollie-Rae Brader
Hollie is editor of Aspire’s print and online products. She is responsible for the running of the club and ensuring the content produced and the events organised are relevant to the Aspire audience. She was previously deputy news editor and cruise writer for sister title Travel Weekly. She loves exploring new destinations and is gradually ticking new countries off her list. She most enjoys writing about cruise, South America and Japan. Before working in the travel industry she held news reporting roles at the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star.