Aman Tokyo

Aman Hotels might have come from Japan, so well does the generally super-understated, minimalist look of its guestrooms match the ethos of the culture. It took a while for the company to arrive here, but when Aman Tokyo debuted in 2014, with the largest rooms (and highest rates) in the capital, it was immediately regarded as its leading luxury hotel.

The Standout: The gorgeous pool lounge with soaring ceilings and expansive city views; the deluxe rooms—the largest in Tokyo—in the top six floors of the Ōtemachi Tower, with views of Mt. Fuji when the weather is good; the serene lobby with a shoji screen atrium and dramatic Japanese garden Don’t Miss: The nearby Harajuku and Omotesando neighborhoods, famous for their unique street style and high-end shopping

• The deluxe rooms, which are the largest in Tokyo and have views of Mt. Fuji when the weather is good
• The gorgeous pool lounge with soaring ceilings and expansive city views
• The serene lobby with a shoji screen atrium and dramatic Japanese garden

The December 2014 opening of the Aman Tokyo was a much-awaited affair, notably because it was the brand’s first urban hotel (not counting the erstwhile Aman Delhi, now known as The Lodhi**,**and Aman in Venice, which technically is located in a city). Hotel aficionados were curious to see how the chain, known for opening ultra-luxurious resorts in hard-to-reach destinations, would translate in one of the world’s largest cities.

Aman Tokyo not only raises the bar, but it is one of the world’s best hotels. The hotel exudes a light, Zen quality that can be described as both Aman and Japanese. And this is exactly what makes the Aman Tokyo work: the fortuitous coincidence that the brand’s signature style mimics traditional Japanese design—a minimalist marriage of true luxury.

The architecture alone is some of the most visually striking in the entire city. Built above the Otemachi Tower on floors 33 to 38, the Aman has the height one wants from a stay in this densely packed metropolis. With glass windows at every turn, the hotel capitalizes on its Mt. Fuji view (which can only be seen when the weather is good). The lobby’s 90-foot atrium resembles a paper lantern thanks to a tower of shoji screens diffusing light. At the center of the lobby is a breathtaking flower arrangement flanked by rock gardens.

Wood, paper and stone—traditional materials in Japanese homes—are used in a way that blends seamlessly with the Aman aesthetic. Grey slate walls reference Tadao Ando, the prominent architect whose work is synonymous with modern Japanese architecture. This nod to Ando’s oeuvre is especially evident in the pool lounge, where the stone walls soar 30 feet high and wraparound windows let in abundant light. With the Pilates and yoga studio and spa nearby, no place could provide more serenity. There is also a fitness center here for those who want to workout with epic views.

The 84 rooms and suites combine a Japanese ryokan-style aesthetic with modern day comforts that make for a memorable stay. Each accommodation is infused with warmth from blond wood floors, platform beds and shoji screens. At 764-square-feet, the Deluxe Rooms are very spacious, and a bonus especially in the city that invented the capsule hotel. The bathrooms come with a furo, a deep soaking tub intrinsic to the Japanese ritual of bathing. The best feature of each room is the view, whether of majestic Mt. Fuji, the towering Tokyo Skytree or a panoramic of the skyline. The best views are to be had at the hotel’s lobby-level restaurant, which serves a refined menu of Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese influences, and the sleek bar. For an upscale evening, Musashi by Aman is a fine-dining sushi restaurant serving an exquisite omakase menu.

In a city that provides such sensory overload, the Aman strikes a balance of curated minimalism that still evokes a strong sense of place. Its most incredible feat is that it feels like a Zen retreat high above a jam-packed city. Many hotels claim to be an urban oasis but few actually are; the Aman Tokyo has found the right formula.

Travelers who appreciate beauty, high design and serenity will love this hotel, which is the best in Tokyo. It’s not right for families who need connecting rooms or kid-friendly facilities.

—Janine Yu