What's it like? Occupying the top 14 floors of the 52 storey Shinjuku Park Tower, the Park Hyatt was voted best business hotel in Tokyo last year by readers of Business Traveller Asia Pacific and was the backdrop for the film Lost in Translation. A peaceful oasis of space and luxury, the hotel offers views of Tokyo and the Kanto Plain all the way to Mount Fuji.
Where is it? West of the city centre in Shinjuku, a thriving business, shopping and entertainment district. A hotel shuttle bus ferries guests to and from nearby Shinjuku Station, which has rail and subway access.
How many rooms? 177 rooms and suites (Park, Park Deluxe, Park View or Park Suite).
Room facilities: There's no wifi access but all rooms offer complimentary high-speed internet access during your stay. My request for an adaptor for my UK plug was met within three minutes of my call to reception. Rooms have two telephone lines, voicemail, fax machine, CD and DVD player. All bathrooms have deep tubs, separate shower and toilets with wash, dry and deodorise functions.
Walk-in wardrobes are standard, as are extra wide beds, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and feather-down duvets. My 55sqm Park Deluxe room had a 37-inch plasma TV, Aesop toiletries, a 15-inch TV in the bathroom and stunning views over Tokyo.
Business centre: Open 24 hours, the centre provides a full range of services, including fax, computers, word processing, photocopying and translation. A conference room, seating four people, is free to guests for two hours. When I had a problem with my laptop the business centre sent up a member of staff who happily spent almost an hour configuring it to the hotel system.
Fitness centre: A memorable scene in Lost in Translation is when Bill Murray falls off the treadmill during a hapless workout session. What you don't see is the floor to ceiling windows that make you feel as if you're about to run straight off the edge of the building from the 47th floor. As well as the gym, there is also a 20 metre swimming pool covered by a glass roof, and a luxurious spa. Access to the spa costs Y4,200 (£20). Treatments are extra.
Restaurants and bars: The hotel has eight drinking and dining options but a must-see is the New York bar on the 52nd floor, where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson filmed most of their scenes. Sharing space with the New York Grill, the bar hosts well known American jazz acts every night and is so popular, advance bookings are advisable. Cocktails cost from Y1,600 (£8) and there is a cover charge of Y2,000 (£10) – even if you have just eaten in the New York Grill.
Verdict: With its low lighting and hushed atmosphere, it's easy to see why this hotel was used in a film that portrays a feeling of isolation, but if you want to escape from the city and be pampered, this is one of the most memorable and stylish addresses in Tokyo. Prices: The rack rate for my Park Deluxe room is Y61,950 (£305) subject to a 10 percent service charge and taxes.
Contact: 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, tel +81 3 5322 1234,www.hyatt.com.
Lauren Custance
