Celebrity Life
Hoshinoya Tokyo’s luxe lantern dining is pandemic-friendly
This Japanese ryokan has a novel way for safe dining in the new normal.
The post Hoshinoya Tokyo’s luxe lantern dining is pandemic-friendly appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Hoshinoya Tokyo’s luxe lantern dining is pandemic-friendly
This Japanese ryokan has a novel way for safe dining in the new normal.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
Hotel Review: Hoshinoya is the Ryokan that Brings Luxury Wellness into the City of Tokyo
Hoshinoya Tokyo opened in 2016 and was built on the Hoshino Resorts' philosophy to create experiences from elements that are indigenous to the location.
So you may wonder why this hotel was built in the busy Otemachi financial district. It turns out that a naturally occurring hot spring lay beneath -- 1,500 metres underground -- making it the perfect location to open a luxury ryokan and onsen. In other words, Hoshinoya Tokyo is a traditional Japanese inn developed as a modern hotel, outfitted with a rooftop hot spring in the urban heart of the city.
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Location: 9/10
Conveniently situated in Tokyo's Chiyoda neighbourhood, Hoshinoya Tokyo is easily accessible by train or car. It's located just outside Otemachi subway station and only a ten minute walk from Tokyo station. The Imperial Palace and its expansive majestic gardens are just across the road too, which is worth visiting during your stay. The area surrounding the hotel is mainly filled with offices and taxis can sometimes find it a little difficult to find a direct drop off point. Guests are therefore advised to use the Otemachi Financial City Grand Cubes underground parking lot or be dropped off on the second basement level.
Design: 9/10
From afar, the hotel's monolithic dark exterior is deceivingly gloomy. A closer look reveals incredible lattice work, inspired by the geometric komon patterns of hemp leaves, that veils Hoshinoya Tokyo. Once inside, a theatrical entrance provided by automatic doors open up to a light, airy genkan entrance with soft tatami mats, high ceilings and walls lined with chestnut and bamboo shoeboxes. The hotel blends the old and the new seamlessly. It's where traditional aromatic woods, washi paper screens and low furnishings meet modern design elements, clean lines and geometric shapes.
Ambience: 10/10
Upon entering, and taking off your shoes, one immediately enters a state of blissful zen. The sight, smell and sound (or lack thereof) are, for want of a better description, relaxing. And it is this quietly calm ambience that runs throughout Hoshinoya Tokyo. So much so, that guests will feel the effects for some time, even after leaving. During our stay, we noticed guests mostly consisted of multi-generation families and couples from Japan and other Asian countries. No young babies were seen but the facilities are made to be baby-friendly.
Rooms: 8/10
This 17-floor hotel features 84 rooms divided into three categories. The Yuri or Sakura rooms are made for two and range from 441 to 527 sq. ft. with bamboo furnishings in the traditional Japanese-style room. We stayed in the Kiku, a corner room which is the largest room at 893 sq. ft. and more spacious. It features a king size bed, walk-in closet, dining and living area, and a sizeable bathroom with a bathtub and shower room. The room basks in natural light and the sliding windows reveal the aluminium lattice which casts a rather stunning shadow on the tatami mats. Unfortunately though, the windows are not sound proof and I was woken up by sirens from a nearby fire station.
Service & Facilities: 9/10
The staff at Hoshinoya Tokyo are friendly and warm, which makes for a wonderful stay as you needn't worry about much. Service is quick and the team are extremely knowledgable, which is helpful if, like me, you tend to have a lot of questions. There are cultural performances and ceremonies to partake in too, some of which (for example, the tea ceremony) have additional fees. Kimonos and pyjamas are provided during your stay which is a great touch, but unless you possess a smaller frame, you are likely to find them a tad too small. The top floor public onsen is only open to hotel guests, so it does feel somewhat private. Of course traditional onsen rules must be adhered to. So if you do have tattoos, these must be covered with the stickers they provide. There is also a spa to further your luxury wellness experience. For those that wish to workout, you'll need to walk down to the nearby Spa Otemachi Fitness Club.
Food & Drink: 9/10
For dinner, guests are offered Nippon cuisine created by Executive Chef Noriyuki Hamada. The culinary style focuses on seafood, which is customary in ryokan dining and it is indeed a decadent experience. The meal is a cross between molecular gastronomy and kaiseiki, Japan's haute cuisine. We sampled the tasting menu featuring seasonal items, which in our case was a snow crab roe emulsion, and monkfish liver with kumquat sansho pepper and meringue dish. All of which are prepared exceptionally and enhanced by chef's creative French techniques. As a result, the dinner is fun to eat, though the atmosphere was a little too silent for our taste. Breakfast is served in your room, which is a pleasant and private experience to enjoy.
Rates: start from HK$5,940/night excluding tax, service charge and meals. Prices may vary depending on availability and season.
Rating: 9/10
Perfect for: a relaxed and reenergising stay in Tokyo's most luxurious ryokan.
The post Hotel Review: Hoshinoya is the Ryokan that Brings Luxury Wellness into the City of Tokyo appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with @FoodandTravelHK
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go. Warning: travel envy ensues.
Traveller: Gloria Chung @Foodandtravelhk
Profession: Food and travel writer / journalist / food stylist
Passport: Hong Kong
Countries visited: 40+
Where was your last destination?
Copenhagen. I was there to binge eat for four days and I managed to get a table at Restaurant 108 and had the best cardamon bun from Juno Bakery. Then I stopped by London for an assignment about Coal Drops Yard and a food styling course at Le Cordon Bleu.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The weather was absolutely brilliant. Sunny and breezy Autumn weather. Can't complain! I took my time and enjoyed the sunshine at cafés. I love Monmouth Coffee as they serve pastry from my favourite bakery Little Bread Pedlar. Other cafés I like include Fingers Crossed and Jacob the Angel, but it really depends on which area of London I am in.
What do you never travel without?
I am quite minimal in terms of packing. I would say apart from all the essentials, I just wouldn’t travel without my false eyelashes. It takes no time to put on and makes me look sharp. Perfect for travelling.
What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
A striped tee, navy blazer and comfortable trousers. But I’d also bring a little black dress and probably a white shirt.
Where is your favourite hotel?
That's a tough question! There are many fantastic hotels and it really depends on where I travel to. But right now the top three hotels that come to mind are:
- Ryse Hotel in Seoul. It is in an impeccable location and the design is chic. It also attracts a cool crowd and most importantly, the service is fantastic. The staff are extremely helpful, professional and friendly; they even carried my suitcase and sent me to the bus station as I left!
- Hoshinoya in Tokyo is a ryokan [traditional Japanese inn] at its best. It holds Japanese design and service with an international viewpoint. Plus the staff make very good drip coffee!
- And The St. Regis in Kuala Lumpur because they make the best flat white ever.
Who do you normally travel with?
Myself mostly. 60-70% of the time I travel for work, so I do enjoy travelling alone. It's more efficient. I used to travel with a photographer, and maybe a model, but not anymore. I did however, enjoy a trip to Chiang Mai with friends and family not too long ago.
What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific. Because they always have Asian meal options on board.
Tell us your most memorable travel story.
I was on an assignment in London covering a bike tour but I fell off the bike and hurt my knees. I think I lost around a litre of blood from the injury. Everyone around me panicked but I insisted on finishing the whole tour (we were in the middle of it) before heading to the hospital. Thankfully, the nurses at NHS were extremely nice. I consider this experience very professional and heroic. Ha!
Show us your favourite travel photo.
This is my latest favourite! I just love the contrast of light and shadow in Coal Drops Yard, London. The architecture always fascinates me.
Share your top travel tip(s) with us!
- Think Marie Kondo when packing. Seriously you do not need extra bed sheets or a pillow.
- Make a compartment in your suitcase and sort things into different bags. I always imagine myself being checked at customs and needing to open my suitcase. I do not want my underwear on show!
- I always bring Pu’er [Chinese tea] with me. It’s good for digestion. I also bring chia seeds. It's light and fantastic for when you eat too much and feel bloated.
- Get a [mobile phone] SIM card instead of WiFi egg. It's light and does not need charging.
How do you deal with jet lag?
I adjust the time on the flight to the destination. For instance, when you board in Hong Kong, it's still day time in Paris, so you must not sleep until night time in Paris. It works quite well.
Where is your favourite airport and why?
Hong Kong! We have everything really. It’s very efficient, clean and spacious. My favourite area is near Gate 28 where you can get egg tarts and milk tea at King Bakery.
What item(s) do you carry on and use in-flight?
Again, I am really minimal in terms of what I bring on the flight with me, my items include:
- A thermos. I ask the flight attendants to fill it up so I don't need to waste plastic cups for water.
- Eye treatment roll on from Buly 1803. I don’t just use it for the eyes. I roll it on my arm to smell, as I find the scent really soothing.
- Hand cream from Artket.
- And lip balm.
Where are you off to next?
Ishigaki [a Japanese island west of Okinawa]. I went there for a summer holiday before. I can't wait to go back and see what it’s like in winter. I miss the Ishigaki beef!
The post Travel with @FoodandTravelHK appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.