Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s largest and most cosmopolitan districts. With smoky jazz bars, plush department stores and some of the city’s best restaurants, there’s something for everyone amid the smart office blocks and government buildings – and at the centre of it all lies the stately Hilton Tokyo. Here are five things you’ll love about one of the area’s finest homes from home.
The entire second floor of the Hilton Tokyo is given to restaurants and bars, filling the sprawling space with the aromas of freshly cooked delights and the swirling hum of friendly conversation. At its heart is cocktail bar Zatta, where the seasonal mixes are far from understated – think swirling beds of dry ice and custom-made glasses – but deliver on flavour as well as spectacle. Jazz musicians provide languid backing music on most nights.
Junisoh is a temple of Japanese fine dining. The washoku and sushi menus are divine, but we like to grab a seat at the teppanyaki counter and see the chefs perform their magic up close. The wagyu is undoubtedly the star of the show, but the supporting cast is not to be underestimated. The ‘Musubi’ menu, for example, thrills diners with sauteed scallop in a miso and herb butter, and foie gras fresh from the hotplate, before the finest cuts of Japanese beef work their tender, melting magic.
The Hilton Tokyo offers five executive floors, with a separate check-in and their own guest relations officers on hand to help out and advise. The executive rooms are sleek, with views over Shinjuku’s buzzing streets, and come with access to an exclusive lounge where you can enjoy breakfast in the morning, cocktails in the evening and, on clear days, glorious views of Mt Fuji in between.
The Hilton Tokyo’s famous dessert buffet has Tokyoites and tourists alike flocking to the Marble Lounge on the ground floor. The offerings change with the seasons, but usually include spectacular parfaits: decadently delicious creations made with fresh, seasonal fruits and served American-style in a tall glass laden with cream. These combined with the chocolate fountains, candyfloss machines and impeccable service add up to one of the city’s favourite sweet-toothed treats.
For those looking to burn off the extra calories gained from all the fine food, the Hilton Tokyo’s rooftop tennis courts offer one of the most impressive spots for a game in the city. The workout room and spa on the floor below are also enticing, with a lap pool and a row of exercise bikes: the latter pressed against the floor-to-ceiling windows allowing you to embrace your inner ET and feel like you're cycling through the sky.