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Wander Lust: Tried and Tested From Tokyo to Kyoto

PHOTOS VIA RITZ-CARLTON TOKYOThe Ritz-Carltons in Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan recently teamed up to present globetrotters with an experience dubbed “One Journey, Two Capitals”, an exclusive luxury travel experience combining the vibrance of the Tokyo metropolis with the serenity of traditional Kyoto

The Jakarta Post
Sat, May 28, 2016

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Wander Lust: Tried and Tested From Tokyo to Kyoto

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span class="inline inline-none">PHOTOS VIA RITZ-CARLTON TOKYO
The Ritz-Carltons in Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan recently teamed up to present globetrotters with an experience dubbed “One Journey, Two Capitals”, an exclusive luxury travel experience combining the vibrance of the Tokyo metropolis with the serenity of traditional Kyoto. The package offers two room nights in a deluxe room or suite accommodations in each city, daily breakfast for two, special amenities and personalized services including one escorted butler transfer to the train station. J+ tried both hotels as a guest of Ritz Carlton. Here’s our report.

Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

Background

Located in Tokyo’s second tallest building, this five-star contemporary hotel offers the epitome of luxury in Japan.

The hotel embraces earthy tones of classic European inspiration wrapped in contemporary ambiance. Launched in 2007, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo finished a makeover in 2015 by DESIGN STUDIO SPIN.

What’s It Like?

The word “grand” comes to mind as we entered the lobby on the 46th floor. A stunning high ceiling with wooden pillars is adorned by the artwork of Sam Francis, while the lobby offers views of Tokyo’s amazing skyline.

Decor by renowned interior decorator Frank Nicholson is elegant, modern and luxurious. The lobby/lounge is busy, full of Japanese ladies for afternoon tea and international business travelers. Check-in was smooth, friendly and can be done privately in your room directly.

Where Is It?

Located in midtown Tokyo, the Ritz-Carlton is at the core of the Roppongi business hub and entertainment capital. There are many great bars and restaurants around the hotel as well as a subway station (on the Oedo and Hibiya lines). Within walking distance is the famous Mori Art Museum inside Mori Tower.

Stay

Newly renovated rooms and suite by DESIGN STUDIO SPIN offers dark shades of grey, purple and red to reflect Japanese aesthetics, while furnishings pay homage to exquisite Japanese patterns with subtle luxury. The 52-square-meter Club Deluxe room I stayed in offered an immense window with an uninterrupted view of Tokyo’s skyline, which, when juxtaposed with the bamboo inspired carpet design, gives a feeling of Zen.

Spacious marble bathroom offers bathtub and separate rainforest shower. Double sink is equipped with 17-inch LCD TV and amenities from Asprey. Bathroom also offers a quintessential Japanese touch: A smart toilet.

Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is fast, while the minibar offers a selection of Japanese whiskies.

Dine


The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is known for its amazing food and drink creations, from the fare at its one-Michelin-star restaurant to a “diamond martini” that sells for US$18,000 (it comes with a one-carat diamond).

Guests can enjoy breakfast at Towers, which offers a modern bistro concept and magnificent city views from the 45th floor. Club floor guests can have breakfast at the newly renovated club lounge.

Recently renovated Hinokizaka on the 45th floor offers kaiseki, sushi, tempura and teppanyaki. Chefs are amazing and work towards absolute perfection. Without a doubt, Hinokizaka is ready for a Michelin star.

If so, it will join Azure 45, under the creative and innovative hands of chef de cuisine Shintaro Miyazaki. The restaurant offers fine dining and contemporary French cuisine that earned the venue a star at the beginning of this year.

Down to Business

Located in the city’s business hub, the hotel has an impressive 560-square-meter state-of-the-art grand ballroom equipped with Wi-fi along with 1,100 square meters of meeting and conference space. Perks include an open terrace on the 2nd floor that faces Hinoki-cho Park that can also work as a cocktail venue in spring or summer.

Take Five

A visit to the spa on the 46th floor is a great way rejuvenate, whether just lazing by the indoor lap pool or getting pampered by a signature crystalus body massage.

View

Great hospitality is matched by superb surrounding really to gives great memories. Its enviable location makes the hotel one of Tokyo’s finest.

Highlights

Perfect location with great F&B outlets to satisfy the most critical foodie. As part of the “One Journey, Two Capitals” package, the hotel will craft great excursions, such as a guided tour of Tsukiji fish market with a fish expert, a Harajuku and Shibuya shopping excursion, Japanese whisky tastings and more.

Rooms: 247 rooms and 35 suites
Price: Rates start at US$387
Contact:
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Tokyo Midtown 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
Tokyo, 107-6245 Japan
ritzcarlton.com/tokyo

✓ Free Wi-fi
✓ Michelin-star restaurant
✓ Lounge and bar
✓ Spa and fitness center
✓ Business center
✓ Grand ballroom and convention area

PHOTOS VIA RITZ-CARLTON KYOTO
PHOTOS VIA RITZ-CARLTON KYOTO

Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

Background

As the chain’s fourth property in Japan, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto has emerged beautifully on the site of another hotel and immediately became one of the city’s landmark jewels. Opened in 2014, the hotel has a contemporary take on Japanese aristocratic aesthetics that makes it unique when compared to its siblings.

What’s It Like?


The Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto has embraced its historical surroundings. Instead of building a full-on contemporary hotel, Ritz-Carlton erected a venue in a contemporary Meiji-era style that incorporated many Miyabi principals into its architecture and interior design. The result is the sultry feel of a super-chic traditional Japanese townhouse, as well as the elegant harmony of precision merged seamlessly with impeccable craftsmanship and contemporary Western comforts.

The way Peter Remedios Design Studio (the masterminds behind this great design) creates light in this hotel–with a vertical rock garden and a levee that rises back up to ground level–gives life to overall ambiance.

Where Is It?

Juxtaposed on the serene banks of Kamogawa River in Kyoto, the hotel has a superb location near the vibrant downtown districts of Gion, Pontocho and Kawaramachi. It is within walking distance of the geisha district as well as famous Teramachi Street, renowned for its handicrafts.

Stay

Following traditional design, two suites are done tatami style, featuring futon beds to give you an authentic experience. All 12 types of rooms and suites are spacious, ranging from 45 square meters for a deluxe guest room to 212 square meters for the Ritz-Carlton Suite, which includes its own exquisite balcony with fireplace.

My 52-square-meter luxury guest room offered a spectacular view of Kamogawa River and the Higashiyama mountains. It had an airy ambiance dominated by wooden elements and black accents. Decor highlights include bonsai plants, abstract calligraphy, Kyoto shabon-ya handmade soap and bath salts and gorgeous cherry blossom motif reliefs on the bathroom walls.

A 47-inch LCD TV was accompanied by a Blu-ray DVD player and state-of-the-art Bluetooth Tivoli Audio. Another 18.5-inch LCD TV could be found in the bathroom, together with yukata and imabari robes.

Dine


Exciting F&B outlets feature both Japanese and Western cuisine. Mizuki, located on the lower ground level, is a coffee shop serving fantastic breakfast and also a great Japanese restaurant that features serious gastronomic multi-course kaiseki dinners. Make sure not to miss delicious croissants from Pierre Hermé during breakfast.

Also try La Locanda, a handsome contemporary Italian fine dining establishment, followed by a night cap inside the beautiful 360° cellar called The Bar. My favorite hangout was the elegant lobby lounge, done in traditional Machi-ya style, while enjoying afternoon tea.

Down to Business

Though the hotel has a great resort vibe and perfect for a quiet holiday, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto also is equipped with four adaptable banquet rooms, each with atmospheric lighting, natural materials and transcendent interior design.

Take Five

A long indoor pool that is located in the hotel’s spa is atmospheric, featuring a Japanese rock wall and waterfall.

View

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is a great example of how to blend history and culture with modernity. Design leans gives off more of a luxury boutique vibe than a chain hotel. With gentle and smooth service, this hotel is one of the best in Kyoto.

Highlights

Exquisitely designed hotel with a strategic location in downtown Kyoto. As part of “One Journey, Two Capitals”, the hotel will bring you to the best temples or help you learn about geisha culture or the art of Japanese floral arrangement.

Rooms: 134 guest rooms, including 17 suites and 2 tatami rooms
Price: Starting at US$949
Contact:
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto 604-0902 Japan
Tel: +81757465555
ritzcarlton.com/kyoto

✓ Free Wi-fi
✓ Italian fine dining
✓ Lounge and bar
✓ Spa and fitness center
✓ Pierre Hermé patisseries
✓ In-house flower specialist Christian Tortu

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