Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Part of a four-building property nestled in the middle of Tokyo's famous Chinzan-so garden, Hotel Chinzanso (a former Four Seasons property) feels like its own island with the rest of the city's flashing lights and bustling activity weaving around it. With roots extending back to feudal-era Japan, the estate -- reconstructed in 1952 -- is now a vast arrangement of pebbled walking paths, koi ponds, rich greenery, and pagodas. 

Inside, the combination of vintage European decor and traditional Japanese accents achieves a regal elegance. The marble-tiled lobby features large glass windows, golden stair railings, and upholstered sofas lit by tiered chandeliers. Thick, floral-carpeting in the hallways and several restaurants with antique furnishings lend an especially grand look to the space. The hotel is ideal for the many weddings that take place here, as well as the regular flow of business travelers. Younger visitors or families with small children might find the vibe too formal.

While the district of Bunkyo itself isn't too far from the center of Tokyo, Hotel Chinzanso can feel especially remote, as it's enclosed within the garden. On the plus side, its isolation means there is virtually no street noise or disturbance from traffic, and the grounds themselves are a key attraction. 

Standard tourist sights can be reached from the train station that’s about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel. Twenty minutes by train will reach both Ikebukuro and Shinjuku areas. Thirty-minute rides will lead to the famous Shibuya crossing and the Meiji Shrine, as well as the fashion district of Ginza. The Imperial Palace and famous Tsukiji fish market are both 35 minutes from the hotel by public transport. Tokyo Tower and the glitzy nightlife of Roppongi are both around 40-minute rides away. 

Haneda International Airport is 30 minutes away from the hotel by car or an hour by public transport. Narita International Airport takes two hours by public transport or an hour and a half by car. The hotel does arrange airport pickups for a fee. 

Rooms at Hotel Chinzanso are spacious by any standard and decorated with classic European furnishings. Light pastels and floral motifs are common, along with vintage brass-ring closets and work desks with classic wood-carved chairs. Upholstered skirted armchairs make for comfortable in-room lounging. Bed throws made of kimono material and framed silk screens on the walls lend tasteful Japanese accents. While old-fashioned, the overall effect is elegant, and fits in well with the rest of the hotel’s sophisticated aesthetic.  

Bathrooms are pristine, with light striped wallpapers and marble tiling throughout. Most come with shower/tub combos with handheld showerheads, plus a glass-doored shower. TVs in bathrooms are a plus, as are separate water closets. Each bathroom includes a hairdryer and L’Occitane brand toiletries. 

Superior Rooms are the most simple rooms available. These come with garden or city views and either two twin beds or one king-size bed. Deluxe Rooms are slightly larger, while Prime Superior and Prime Deluxe Rooms stand out for being on the three entirely non-smoking floors. Suite options range from 645 to 3013 square feet, each with its own notable features. The View Bath Suite, for instance, includes a windowed bathroom overlooking the garden and the Japanese Suite resembles a traditional inn with tatami rooms and cypress baths.

Beds in all rooms feature special tech coil mattresses for extra support, down duvets, and a choice of six different pillows from non-allergenic to buckwheat chaff. All rooms also include minibars and coffee- and tea-making facilities (Prime Floor Rooms have Nespresso machines), as well as flat-screen TVs, multi-lined telephones, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Additional in-room amenities, such as humidifiers, ironing equipment, and outlet converters are provided upon request. Twice-daily housekeeping services keep rooms consistently clean. While there are no separate accessible rooms for guests with disabilities, an impressive range of assistive products such as wheelchairs, bath boards, and handrails can be arranged upon request. 

Hotel Chinzanso features an excellent range of features, starting with five on-site dining options serving a variety of cuisines. The hotel provides traditional Japanese breakfast dishes at the upscale Miyuki restaurant, or a western-style breakfast menu at the Italian Il Teatro restaurant. Breakfast costs extra and kids aren't allowed at Il Teatro until dinnertime. Casual fare isn’t easily found at the hotel, but for a comparatively informal dining environment, The Bistro on the third floor has a light French-inspired menu at lunch and dinner. Le Jardin features English-style high tea and bar snacks in the evenings. The main bar offers cocktails and cigars at mahogany tables topped with classic bell lamp shades. Room service is available 24 hours. 

The hotel also features a large, warmly lit spa offering scented oil massages. Shoji screen doors lead out to traditional Japanese hot spring baths. Guests have free access to the glass-enclosed indoor pool with plenty of adjacent seating, and the decently equipped fitness center. Other free amenities include daily newspapers, shoe-shine services, and access to the business center and the Pagoda Lounge Library on the 12th floor, overlooking the garden and offering free coffee and tea along with various reading materials in ornate, parlor-like surroundings. The hotel also provides a free shuttle to the Ikebukuro train station on weekends and holidays. 

For extra charges, several seasonal activities are available, including garden tours, kimono fittings, tea ceremony demonstrations, and Japanese lessons. Fees also apply for the on-site parking lot. Guests receive a discount for self-parking, and there are chargers for valet parking, laundry and ironing services, car washes, babysitting, and baby equipment rentals. Pets are allowed at the hotel upon advance notice and under certain weight and vaccination considerations. 

As a prime option for business travelers, Hotel Chinzanso includes 37 banquet and event halls ranging in size and styles -- though internet connection in any of these rooms comes with a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the rest of the hotel. Special accommodation packages are also offered for business and personal group events.