When modern luxury meets breathtaking Tokyo skyline views, you might never want to leave this stunning hotel. My stay at the Fairmont Tokyo Hotel allowed me to experience the city from a whole new perspective.
From its elegant design and refined atmosphere to all the little details, I’m sharing what stood out, what surprised me, and whether this five-star stay lived up to my expectations.
If you’re considering a lavish escape in Tokyo, and don’t mind dropping a bit of $$, here’s what you need to know before booking your stay at the Fairmont Tokyo, one of the newest luxury hotels in the city.
Note this is not a sponsored post, nor did I receive any kind of payment or complimentary/discounted services for the review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
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How To Get To The Fairmont Tokyo Hotel
The Shibaura District of Minato City is a redeveloped area around the waterfront. It’s really quiet, and the opposite of busy areas like Shinjuku and Ginza, which made it a great place to stay. The neighborhood, a mix of business and residential, is growing in popularity with visitors but isn’t yet a major tourist zone.
You’ll find it easy enough to get to other areas of Tokyo with the extensive transit network, however to/from the airport varies. If you stay at the Fairmont Tokyo Hotel on your visit, and have a choice in airports, go with Haneda. It’s less than 15km away from Tokyo vs. around 70km from Narita.
FROM HANEDA:
- Tokyo Monorail – Haneda to Hamamatsucho station via the Haneda Express is quickest at only 13 minutes. The first and only stop after the airport terminal stations it costs ¥520/~$3.50 USD. From Hamamatsucho walk 10 minutes or take a taxi for a small fee.
- Keikyu Airport Line – Haneda to Daimon Station for ¥320/~$2 USD. It takes 20-25 minutes and usually you can remain on board as the train line changes. From Daimon walk 15 minutes or take a short taxi ride.
FROM NARITA:
- Keisei Access Express – Train bound for Haneda Airport or Nishi-Magome. Ride is about an hour, and like the Keikyu line the train line changes but typically you can remain on board. Ticket costs around ¥1400/~$9 USD. Get off at Daimon Station and either walk (15 minutes) or take a short taxi ride.
BY TAXI:
- From Haneda – Around 15-20 minutes ride, cost is ¥6000-7000 (~$40-45 USD)
- From Narita – Around 1 hour ride, cost is around ¥35,000 (~$225 USD)
RATING: Ease of getting to the Fairmont Tokyo from the airport – 4/5. Ease of getting around the city – No different from anywhere else.
Hotel First Impressions
Staff welcomed us like long-lost friends, and immediately whisked our luggage away – it made it to our room before we did. Fairmont Tokyo hotel check in is on the 35th floor, with rooms between 36th and 42nd. This does mean you have to take two different elevators whenever you want to get to your room. A minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
Even arriving later in the day, as the sun was setting, the obnoxiously amazing view was apparent from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the lobby. The sun set doubly visible in the reflecting pool on the patio outside.
Want to hang out in the lobby during your stay? Comfy chairs and a Fairmont signature scent make it a relaxing place to chill if you need a break from your room. Everything is pristine and elegant, and the newness of the hotel shines through only slightly behind the opulent five-star decorations.
The staff are attentive and extremely proficient in English. First impressions are that this is going to be a stay I won’t easily forget.
Rooms At The Fairmont Tokyo Hotel
Anyone familiar with the Fairmont brand will be aware of the Fairmont Gold Floor – the ultra-luxury floor. Usually with its own check-in desk, concierge, and round the clock treats in the lounge, prime location is also key. At the Fairmont Tokyo Hotel, the Gold Floor was the 42nd floor, the highest accommodations floor in the hotel.
I stayed in the Fairmont Bay View King room for 2 nights, and stayed on the 39th floor
Soft lighting, whiter than white hypo-allergenic linens, and plenty of space for two for a few days, the rooms are exactly as hoped. Unpack, don a fluffy robe, and get settled in to a swanky room that will immediately make you feel like the royalty you are.
As with any hotel room I enter, the window is the first place to go. What a stunner of a view from the marvelous Bay View rooms that definitely live up to their name. This was my first introduction to Tokyo and I was instantly in love. I have a feeling you’ll make as good use of the widow-adjacent chair and chaise-lounge as I did.
While I don’t usually unpack in hotel rooms, the storage space in this hotel is large enough to hang up some of your clothes, and put a few more in drawers. Want to feel extra comfortable? You’ll find Fairmont branded pyjamas and slippers for the duration of your stay.
A FEW OTHER ADDITIONS TO THE ROOM YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- Yoga mat
- Iron
- Dyson Hairdryer (I want one now)
- Easy-to-use in-room safe
- A drawer of good quality essentials – dental kit, shaving kit, nail kit, hairbrush and comb, body wash towel
My favorite thing about Fairmonts – the signature scent. The wonderful aroma of Rose 31 from Le Labo fills the bathroom. Large pump action bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and lotion ensure you don’t need to ration your usage.
The only thing I don’t love in the room is the setup of the bathroom. Not self-contained like many hotel rooms, the sink and vanity are just as open to the bedroom as the hallway. Shower and bathtub are behind a glass door with zero privacy – the poorly placed frosted panel doing nothing for women! Sharing with a partner – Fine, but do I need to watch them shower? Staying with a friend – Maybe takes some shower scheduling. Note you can close the sliding doors to the bedroom for added privacy.
The Fairmont Tokyo introduced me to Japanese toilets. With more buttons than any appliance in my house, this bidet is a game-changer. The toilet room in the Fairmont at least offers more privacy than the shower but is the furthest point from the bedroom.
RATING: Amenities in the room – 5/5. Room layout 3.5/5.
BAY VIEW ROOM COMFORT
With high speed WiFi in all rooms, I can’t say we had any connectivity issues during our stay. And while there is a nice seating area, there is no writing/work desk – something to consider if you’re here for business.
Black out blinds and sheer curtains allow various amounts of privacy (not that anyone’s looking in on the 30-something-th floor). But it probably suits everyone from the “I like to wake up to natural light” crowd to the “let me sleep like I’m dead” people who hate even a speck of light. One warning: the toilet light turns is motion sensored, so for those midnight wanderers like me, be prepared.
Did I mention all the blinds, curtains and lights are controlled from the bedside digital panel? No curtain yanking required, which is good because the ceilings (and curtains) are high in these rooms. The downside: you don’t want to get those controls mixed up, accidentally turning on all the lights in the dead of night.
With no real artwork and a very minimalist aesthetic, the room doesn’t have a ton of personality. Not that everyone needs pictures on the wall to enjoy a room, but it can feel a little understated.
Bonus points do go to the Fairmont Tokyo hotel for having a pillow menu. All pillows as standard are a mix of feather and down, but you can call and request other pillows including memory foam and body pillows. I’m not a feather pillow fan so this is a great perk.
RATING: Overall comfort in the room – 4.5/5.
IN-ROOM DRINK SUPPLIES
Yes, there’s a mini bar if you want some high prices. But there’s also space to store a few items of your own in the fridge. Water, in custom Fairmont aluminium water bottles, is provided daily with evening turn down service and during housekeeping. You won’t run out.
Coffee fans can get a caffeine fix with the Nespresso coffee pods. Tea fans will be extra happy with an array of teabags, including silk-bag matcha tea and traditional teapot and cups. One thing I learned in Japan: I don’t like matcha. Sorry to those who do, but that stuff was potent…maybe too potent.
RATING: Drink selection – 5/5. Bonus points for plenty of bottled water in non-plastic containers!
Small Touches At The Fairmont Tokyo
As an Accor member, I do get small amenities from time to time, including a welcome drink or treats. In our room this time we had a lovely selection of local treats upon arrival. Some fresh watermelon, sesame crackers, delicious fresh mochi, and a bottle of sake. Enjoying it all with the beautiful view? Even better.
During the stay housekeeping tidied up our room more than we expected. They arranged all our toiletries and cosmetics so neatly in the bathroom I almost didn’t want to mess it up again. We were also really happy to find a nice gift on the bed one day – two Fairmont branded dog keychains.
If you know Fairmonts you know most of the hotels often have a hotel dog, and they are incredibly pet friendly. The keychain? Nice touch. Especially since they cost around ¥3500 in the gift shop each.
RATING: Provisions and extra touches – 5/5.
Fairmont Tokyo Hotel Dining
The hotel has a number of dining establishments. The Driftwood Bar & Grill is on the top floor of the hotel, floor 43, for the best views. Enjoy Wagyu beef and other high end items in a luxury setting with mood lighting and music. Here on a weekend? Try the Fairmont Sunday Brunch complete with DIY Gin Lab.
The 35th and 36th floors offer a variety of other restaurants. Delight in local Japanese cuisine, savoring sushi and teppanyaki, or mix east with west in the Lobby Lounge or Kiln & Tonic.
The latter is where you’ll find the daily breakfast buffet between 6:30 AM and 10:30 AM. I had breakfast included in my room rate so got to fill up each morning for a day of sightseeing. Made-to-order eggs, raw bar, freshly made French pastries, and everything from hot western breakfast items, Asian classics and so much fresh fruit.
Breakfast can be purchased for ¥8500 per person (~$55 USD). It is good value for a high end meal as you get a choice of dish from the main menu as well as access to the buffet and drinks.
I opted for avocado toast one day and French toast the next. Avocado toast served on focaccia? How have I not experienced this sooner? As with any high end restaurant be prepared for slightly smaller main course portions, but with the buffet too, you won’t go hungry.
Food in the hotel is not cheap, and although there aren’t too many options very close by, Tokyo is a big city full of great places. I recommend looking for some real local gems on your stay.
RATING: In-hotel dining – 4.5/5.
Fairmont Tokyo Hotel Services
Traveling with your four-legged friend? As mentioned above, this is totally allowed. Having pets does come with an additional fee, but there’s a canine package that includes even more. A custom made pet bed, specialized dog dining, and more. They’ll even help organize pet-friendly rides around the city for you.
There’s parking at the hotel, again with additional fees, if you have a vehicle. Although in Tokyo I don’t recommend it. Take the train to get to most sights and attractions across the city. Taxis can also be good for short distances – but Tokyo taxis are expensive for longer rides.
While I usually go into a vacation with good intentions of using the gym, I often find excuses to skip it after a long day of sightseeing. If you’re more disciplined than me though, there’s a 24/7 fitness center in the Fairmont Tokyo hotel. Ask the concierge about yoga or fitness classes during your stay.
As a more relaxing alternative than the gym, why not visit one of the hotels pools. There’s an outdoor relaxation pool, a jacuzzi, sauna and a fantastic infinity pool. Even if you just go for the view, it’s worth a look. While there you could treat yourself to a treatment at the spa. Or at the very least shop for toiletries and other Fairmont branded goodies at the shop within the wellness spa.
RATING: Additional hotel services – 4.5/5.
Pros & Cons Of A Stay At The Fairmont Tokyo Hotel
Let’s face it, the positives far outweigh any negatives at this lovely hotel. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at a number of Fairmont properties to date. The Fairmont Tokyo, however, was one of the more modern I’ve stayed in.
While I do find the historic properties such as the Fairmont Banff Springs or Savoy Hotel in London more unique, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Tokyo. Skipped ahead to find out if you really would want to stay here? Here’s a few of the pros and cons of my visit:
Final Thoughts On The Fairmont Tokyo Hotel
Fairmont usually comes with a big price tag unless you are lucky enough to find a sale or visit in the off-season. But for a splurge on a dream vacation, this was a very nice place to relax and get over our jet lag.
It wasn’t as challenging to get to the Fairmont Tokyo from Narita airport as I expected. But it was longer than I’d hoped after an international flight. In hindsight, flying into Haneda would have been easier. That said, we didn’t struggle to get around, and loved the location for how quiet it was. A very different vibe than the rest of our Tokyo adventure. We even got to visit the famous tuna auction which is near the waterfront – more on that soon.
All in all, a stay at the Fairmont Tokyo hotel is a luxurious itinerary option, but I do value a nice place to stay, even if only for a night or two. The welcome we felt and the small gestures throughout the stay added to that feeling of personalization and indulgence.
This was my first taste of Japanese hospitality, which was excellent everywhere. But the Fairmont was next level, and a truly remarkable place to stay. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What do you think of the Fairmont Tokyo hotel? Is this somewhere you’d like to stay? If you have stayed here before, I’d love to know what you thought about it.
