WHAT’S IT LIKE? Fresh out of a three-year multi-million-dollar renovation, the 26-year-old property is enjoying a new lease on life, with updated interiors and amenities in contemporary tastes and standards. Considered unique at the time of its opening, the S-shaped, 38-storey building still commands attention.
WHERE IS IT? Located in Shinjuku’s modern skyscraper district in metropolitan Tokyo, it overlooks the Shinjuku Central Park and is within a short walking distance from the surrounding busy office, entertainment and shopping areas. The Shinjuku Station, a main interchange in Tokyo’s complex train network, is at a short 10-minute walk. The hotel provides smooth transfer to and from the station every 10 minutes via a complimentary shuttle.
ROOM FACILITIES Each room is fitted with a speakerphone with a voice message system, television with English-language channels, high-speed internet connection, kimono-style yukata robe, shaver, minibar, hairdryer and toiletries. Guests staying on the executive floors enjoy private check-in and check-out on the 37th floor executive lounge, as well as complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapés. Guest relations officers manning the lounge are ready to help guests confirm flights, arrange transfers and with other tasks.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS There are five restaurants located on the second floor, including Le Pergolèse, which features French cuisine. Musashino offers authentic Japanese food, Dynasty serves Chinese, Checkers is Mediterranean-influenced and Teppan Grill has first-rate Teppanyaki. The hotel has two bars. Marble lounge occupies the prime spot in the first-floor lobby. Open around the clock, it is especially popular for its afternoon dessert buffet and signature cocktails. Adjacent to it is St George’s Bar.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The business centre offers a wide range of secretarial services. Extensive meetings and events space is available on the third and fourth floors. There are 15 function rooms that can be configured to fit preferred set-up and group size. The centrepiece of the hotel’s facilities is the newly renovated fourth-floor Kiku ballroom, the design of which was inspired by the traditional striped patterns of kimono used between the 16th and 18th centuries. The ballroom can seat 600 guests for a formal dinner and can hold up to 1,200 for cocktails. In the foyer of the ballroom, there is a stylish bar counter and comfortable sofas, making it an ideal pre-function space for a big event.
LEISURE FACILITIES The fitness centre is open around the clock and is complimentary for executive floor guests. There are two outdoor tennis courts, an indoor pool, as well as saunas and massage services. Several local specialty shops and gourmet Japanese restaurants are located in the shopping arcade in the hotel basement.
VERDICT A convenient central location and a five-star property that lives up to expectations.
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 815 guestrooms located between the 8th and 38th floors. Room sizes range from 30sqm for the Hilton, Deluxe and Executive rooms, 44sqm for Junior suites and 65sqm for King Suite Executive rooms to 176sqm for the Executive Deluxe suite room (double).
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Western-style interiors with Japanese touches, such as a shoji, yukata robes and slippers.
PRICE The internet rate for the 30sqm King Deluxe room is JPY25,050 (US$285) with breakfast and 39,400 (US$449) with breakfast and dinner per day in mid-August.
CONTACT 6-2, Nishi-Shinjuku 6-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan, tel: 81 3 3344 5111, www.hilton.com
Gigi Onag
