SHANGRI-LA | TOKYO

As soon as you enter through the automatic glass doors of the Shangri-la Hotel, Tokyo, you are entranced by the gorgeous chandelier that hangs overhead. You are greeted with reverent smiles and deep bows from the welcoming staff and quickly whisked up to the 28th floor where the lobby resides. The lobby is equally as grand as the main entrance with plush sofas, rich artwork, and the most spectacular cascading chandelier and marble staircase. The peaceful, almost too quiet lobby shows signs of laughter as you pass by The Lobby Lounge where businessmen and hotel guests grab light refreshments and drinks as they chat about their day and catch up with old friends.

Cascading chandelier from the Lobby

Chandelier spirals down to banquet floor

Grand Marble Staircase

The Lobby Lounge

Console Table in the Lobby Lounge

The Lobby Lounge Bar

After checking in, we were quickly escorted to our rooms on the 33rd floor (3307 and 3308 to be exact). As a family of five, we got two adjoining rooms (a request that had to be made in advance due to the limited availability of these types of rooms). I was surprised to see how large the rooms were considering we were in Japan where everything is compact and space is efficiently used. The large windows and vast views of the sprawling palace gardens and Tokyo Station also helps to create the illusion of more space. The rooms are rich with wood interiors, large mirrors, mustard and burgundy accented pillows, a plush window chaise and writing desk. Modern light switches control the many layers of window shades to expansive lighting options in the room.

Checking in close to midnight, I was tired and a bit hungry but was overjoyed to be greeted by not only one dessert, but several desserts waiting for us upon arrival. A train shaped pastry complete with chocolate pokey sticks and fresh chocolate chip cookies satisfied my sweet tooth and made my belly full as I comfortably slept in the firm, but plush Sterns & Foster beds. Despite my traveling fatigue, I personally was excited to see each bed carefully laid with children’s Japanese pajamas, Shangri-la teddy bears, plush bedroom slippers, and yukatas (Japanese kimono).

The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall where a light switch lowers the blinds for privacy. The tub is inside the shower (which I personally like for ease of bathing my kids). The waterfall showerhead and handheld shower had such great water pressure it felt like I was getting a soothing massage whenever I was in the shower. Complete with L’Occitane toiletries (including a drawer filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs) and the futuristic Toto toilet with all the bells and whistles, I could have been just as happy living in the bathroom as in the room. For more details on each of the rooms click here.

Deluxe Imperial Garden View Room (city view)

Deluxe Imperial Garden View Room (bathroom view)

Plush bathrobes and Japanese tea set are available in the rooms

Yukata (Japanese kimono)

Part of our hotel stay package included the buffet breakfast at one of the two hotel restaurants, Piacere, which means “pleasure” in Italian (and it 100% lived up to its name). Naturally because this breakfast was part of our hotel package we spent every morning there, but to be honest, whether it was included or not, I would have chosen to spend my first waking hours at Piacere anyway. The level of service, friendliness, variety, and experience at Piacere is one that I will always remember about my travels to Tokyo. The breakfast buffet was always meticulously displayed, filled with all different types of cuisines to satiate every appetite. And if that wasn’t enough, we could also order off the menu from pancakes to eggs benedicts as part of the breakfast package. The restaurant itself was also breathtaking in elegant décor and welcoming ambiance.

Piacere booth seating

Plush, velvet chairs inside Piacere

Comfortable elegance and ambiance at Piacere

Piacere pastry selection

Piacere fruit display

Piacere oatmeal bar and toppings

Piacere menu offerings including eggs benedict, pancakes, traditional Japanese breakfast, etc.

Piacere, evening view

The staff at the hotel was plentiful, very courteous, and their English was quite fluent. We sought out advice from the concierge for the best subway routes to most popular tourist sites and they were extremely helpful. While we didn’t use this assistance, one of the best services The Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo offers is their meet and greet service at the platform of Tokyo Station which would be extremely valuable for tourists arriving to Toyko for the first time. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout their hotel, however, it was especially beneficial that they also had pocket Wi-Fis available to rent at only 1,000 JPY a day. For a full list of all of their services, click here.

Overall the hotel itself is stunning and five stars all the way. The location is ideal being a mere block from Tokyo Station, making it easy to go anywhere taking the train. It is also walking distance to the Imperial Palace, Ginza shopping district, Marunouchi Financial District, and Nihonbashi district. Despite the proximity to Tokyo Station and the bustle of the city, the lavish interior of the hotel and the peaceful environment it creates definitely makes you forget you are perched right above the one of the busiest terminals in the city. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore all the luxuries The Shangri-La Tokyo had to offer such as their other restaurant, Nadaman, the spa Chi, or the gym and heated indoor pool, however, this gives us more reason to go back and visit again.

Indoor heated pool

// Pros & Cons //
Pros | Location, Service, Piacere, Room size
Cons | Slightly older crowd (not many families with young children)
Would I Recommend | Yes
Would I Stay There Again | Yes

The Shangri-la Hotel, Tokyo
Marunouchi Trust Tower Main
1-8-3 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan
(81 3) 6739 7888