My Stay at The Okura Tokyo - A World-Class Luxury Hotel Features Japanese Traditional Beauty and Authentic Hospitality

Since embarking on a new path of writing hotel reviews, I've encountered an additional layer of complexity when selecting a hotel. At first glance, the Okura Hotel's lobby, as seen on its website, blends Japanese sensibility and refined elegance. The subtle yet sophisticated design immediately caught my attention, evoking a sense of restrained luxury and understated elegance.  Stepping into its reconstructed lobby became quite a spatial and architectural moment for me. The new lobby in the Prestige Tower pays genuine homage to its heritage roots with traditional Japanese aesthetics remaining uncompromised. Its dramatic volume and grand scale are offset by a soothing and calming atmosphere.

ANDRÉ FU, the renowned interior architect who designs luxury hotels worldwide, interprets luxury in modern times as more genuine and down to the essence of the experience than something that is purely visual and superficial. A good hospitality project should focus on the essence of experiences. I couldn’t agree more.  I also want to add that from registration to connection with a hotel experience, it can be a surreal journey that transcends a person’s ordinary reality. It adds fresh energy to a sensation I wasn’t generally akin to. The moment I enter the lobby in the Prestige Tower, I immediately feel a profound shift within me.

Before diving into design details, I feel it imperative to provide Okura’s reborn story. Ushering in the rise of Japan from the ashes of war to a country hurtling into the modern era, the Okura Hotel became synonymous with luxury, serving as a cultural beacon that celebrated Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality, known as omotenashi (おもてなし). Its admirers are deeply attached to this iconic hotel. As news of its redevelopment spread, it marked the end of an era, as prestigious publication Monocle commented. Despite facing strong design criticism and defying public sentiment, the reconstruction commenced in 2015 and reached completion in 2019.

ANDRÉ FU said :  When I design, I always think about the essence of the experience that I am trying to translate. It is capturing a feeling in that moment. A moment that hit my core and triggered my emotions is created by a monolithic wood block that is positioned adjacent to the check-in front desk. Within this block, a cherry blossom installation captures the essence of authentic and iconic Japanese beauty. Its famous pendant, the pendant of five polyhedrons, is suspended from the ceiling, gracefully cascading down to complement the cherry blossom. It composes a very serene yet floating scene, offering an interesting contrast to the dynamic energy of the surrounding environment.

Entering  the room, a profound sense of tranquillity enveloped us.  In line with its overall aesthetic, the guest room continue to embody understated elegance, boasting a sleek modern interior adorned with wood furnishings, sumptuous textures, and soft ambient lighting. The marble-cladded bathtub is positioned adjacent to a picture window, framing Tokyo's unbeatable and breath-taking night vista. As the lights of Tokyo Tower pierced through the urban sprawl, The following morning, I indulged in breakfast at the Club Lounge on the 37th floor, savouring delicacies while immersing myself in the sweeping cityscape view of Toranomon. Once again, the vibrant and dynamic energy of the city enveloped me, evoking a feeling that the sky is the limit. 

Meticulous attention to detail not only reflects on its design sensibility but also roots in its hospitality ethos.  Okura's commitment to hospitality extends beyond operational excellence to a deeper level of human connection. Its approach to hospitality aligns perfectly with its aesthetic of relaxed luxury, embodying a subtle and nuanced demeanor.  Thank you, The Okura Tokyo! 

https://www.lifedesignerwithjingyuchen.com/