Japan's The Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel
Located across from Hibiya Park, and within walking distance of the Ginza and Imperial Palace, this is one of Tokyo's best-known and most popular hotels. The Imperial's trademark is impeccable service: Guests are treated like royalty. Although the Imperial's history goes back to 1890, when it opened at the request of the Imperial family to house the many foreigners coming to Japan; and although it was rebuilt in 1922 by Frank Lloyd Wright, the present hotel dates from 1970, with a 31-story tower added in 1983. Unfortunately, Wright's legacy lives on only in the hotel's Art Deco Old Imperial Bar.
Rooms in the main building are quite large for Tokyo. Tower rooms, while slightly smaller, are higher up, have floor-to-ceiling bay windows, and offer fantastic views of either Imperial Palace grounds or, my preference, the Ginza and Tokyo Bay. All come with the amenities you'd expect from a first-class hotel, as well as such appreciated extras as hands-free phone, bedside controls for the curtains, and free high-speed Internet access, with a private e-mail address for each guest. Tip: Become a member of the Imperial Club (membership is free), and you can use the small pool and gym free of charge.
