There’s no reason to believe Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is a nine-year-old property. The hotel feels like timeless warp, with elegant walnut interiors, sky-high ceilings and an expansive lobby that presents a different scent with each season. When I visited, the gentle whiff of fresh Sakura left me pleasantly surprised. The team at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills have done exceptionally well to upkeep all its different facets—the furniture is perfectly upholstered, while its floor-to-ceiling windows are absolutely spotless. Peer out any window and the dizzying labyrinth of Tokyo awaits in its storied streets, designer and vintage shops, and well-stocked convenience stores.
It’s hard not to be awed in a hotel like this. Various artworks are strategically placed to intrigue and captivate, from geometric timber artforms to wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) motifs in the elevators to delicate Kumiko art—a technique that assembles wooden pieces by hand. Breakfast is a considered smorgasbord of both made-to-order dishes and a selection of hot and cold buffet items, including a Japanese rice and braised dish which alternates daily. The avocado toast is a winner on every level, served with a blistered tomato, sauteed mushrooms, and micro herbs. Pair it with some cheeses or yoghurt if you please, and you’ll be ready to start your day.
Toranomon Hills is a business precinct fairly unknown to tourists—the metro station on the popular Hibiya Line only opened in 2020—and while it does have bragging rights to an Allpress Coffee and a great burger at BeBu, it certainly has room for development when it comes to a trendy food scene. But what entices at the moment are clean, paved streets that don’t have the large footfall of Shibuya or Ginza, yet are only a 10 to 15-minute commute from these energy-packed neighbourhoods. The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon also opened its doors here in 2020, adding clout to the area.
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills’s 164 rooms, including eight suites, are generously-sized by Tokyo’s standards—the smallest at 50 square metres. Designed by the illustrious Tony Chi & Associates of New York and Tokyo-based SIMPLICITY, the rooms are a sophisticated blend of washi paper and walnut. Every room comes with a full selection of Aesop bath products and a deep soaking tub inspired by Japanese bath culture. As with all Andaz hotels, minibar drinks and snacks are complimentary for your indulgence, although I doubt one is ever hungry in a city as rooted in its food culture as Japan.
If you desire extra space, the property’s deluxe rooms boast wrap-around views of the city as they take shape along the building’s curved structure. The Toranomon Hills Tower, where the hotel is located, is the tallest building in Tokyo. This means an unparalleled—and staggeringly breathtaking—vantage point lies anywhere within the hotel.
After a long day out on the streets, treat your weary body to a massage at AO Spa & Club. The chic spa encases an indoor lap pool, while bright and spacious treatment rooms showcase the Tokyo skyline. Massage oils are Elemental Herbology, while facials employ Biologique Recherche products and techniques. The Elemental Body treatment is arguably one of the best I’ve had, complete with heated stones and deeply satisfying therapeutic strokes. When all is said and done, pop over to the Andaz Lounge, a prime spot for a glass of wine, sake or canapes—all complimentary between 6pm and 8pm. The vibe is convivial and the drinks are excellent, and I daresay you’ll feel the urge to return even before you leave.
Find out more or book a stay at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
