TOKYO — In Forbes Travel Guide’s second annual review of Tokyo hotels, Palace Hotel Tokyo has emerged as the first independent Japanese hotel to secure the coveted Five Star rating. The world’s most prestigious arbiters of luxury travel, Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) has been providing comprehensive, anonymous reviews of the hospitality industry worldwide since 1958.
“Since our debut in 2012, our team has worked tirelessly to not only meet, but exceed global standards for hospitality in the luxury sector,” said Masaru Watanabe, Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Executive Director and General Manager. “The team’s efforts – and achievements – have raised the bar on Japanese hospitality, affirming our competitiveness amongst the more globally recognised international brands in the city.”
With Tokyo’s most prestigious address, the 290-room hotel situated amidst Japan’s Imperial Palace gardens re-opened in 2012 after a complete re-build from the ground-up. Its 10 restaurants and bars include Royal Bar, whose lead mixologist was hailed as one of the World’s Best Bartenders by Diageo in 2012, and Crown, amongst the most esteemed French restaurants in Japan. The 1,200-square-metre spa and fitness facility features the country’s first evian SPA, and more than half of the property’s guestrooms and suites have open-air balconies – a true rarity in the city.
“Our Star Ratings recognise the finest hotels, restaurants and spas in the world. These ratings serve as the most authoritative guideposts for guests seeking exceptional travel experiences,” said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. “We’re proud to be associated with the new additions to our global list.”
For 2016, out of the 220 cities in which inspections were conducted, only 154 hotels received the Five Star rating – with Palace Hotel Tokyo being one of only three in Japan to achieve the prestigious status.
