Understated Japanese elegance and luxury - By Tetta Matera

Tag : Ice Cream Display Cabinet

Up until the mid-1990s, three Japanese-operated hotels dominatedthe hotel industry in Tokyo: the Teikoku or Imperial Hotel, as itis more popularly known in Ginza; the Hotel New Otani in Akasaka;and the Hotel Okura in the Toranomon area. All three embodied thestandards by which Japanese hospitality and service were measured;their reputations were stellar and unmatched.
But as more people traveled both for business and leisure in theface of 20th-century globalization, foreign-operated hotels saw anopportunity to challenge the “status quo” in theJapanese hotel industry, particularly in Tokyo. Severalinternational hotel groups entered the market early, but none wasmore anticipated than the arrival of The Peninsula Group.
For The Peninsula-Tokyo, the journey began more than 10 years agowith a search for the ideal location; they found it in a corner lotowned by the Mitsubishi Real Estate Company in the prestigiousMarunouchi financial district of Tokyo, opposite the ImperialPalace and just three minutes’ walk to the shopping mecca,Ginza. In partnership with Mitsubishi Real Estate, thegroundbreaking and construction of The Peninsula-Tokyo commenced in2003 and after almost four years of construction, the hotelformally opened its doors to the public with a traditional liondance on Sept. 1, 2007.
Unlike recent luxury hotel developments located atop high-riseoffice buildings, The Peninsula-Tokyo is the first freestandingluxury hotel to be built in Tokyo in more than a decade. The24-floor tower has become the newest landmark in Tokyo with itscommanding city views, luxurious rooms, sophisticated facilities,extraordinary restaurants and the legendary Peninsula service. Itis also the only hotel in Tokyo with a helicopter pad and a fleetof two specially designed Rolls-Royce extended-wheelbase Phantomsand three customized BMW 7 Series long-wheelbase sedans, allfinished in signature Peninsula green.
As I made my way toward the hotel one evening, I was immediatelydrawn to the building’s elegant structure; I couldn’ttake my eyes off it! The architect’s vision of the hotel as atraditional Japanese lantern standing proud at the entrance toMarunouchi and Ginza was achieved to a T. The hotel’s subtlecurves of amber Namibian granite and dramatic exterior lightinglend a distinct and welcome contrast to the sharply angled,dark-colored buildings that surround it. The combined work ofcelebrated architect Kazukiyo Sato and interior designer YukioHashimoto gives The Peninsula-Tokyo a contemporary Japaneseambience that reflects Japanese culture and its seasons. Nearly1,000 works of art rich in Japanese heritage and crafted intraditional techniques by at least 60 artists (90 percent of whomwere Japanese) are ingeniously placed around the hotel.
An Engaging Visual Experience
Upon arrival at the cobbled driveway, I was welcomed by a raisedfountain of ajiishi, or Japanese black granite stone from KanagawaPrefecture, and a landscaped garden of classical pine, cherry andmaple trees. Getting out of the cab I felt a sense of calm rightaway. At the entrance, the signature marble lions symbolizingprotection and prosperity stand guard, the female on the leftcarrying a baby and the male on the right carrying a ball. Awinsome bellboy in a pristine, top-to-bottom-white uniform (anothersignature of the hotel) ushered me into the lobby. Two storieshigh, the lobby design masterfully weaves together severalaesthetic components: the ivory walls with wooden lattices depictedfrom the architecture of old Kyoto, the unique concave chandeliermade of 1,313 crystal LED light bulbs resembling a cloud of hanabi(fireworks) or hotaru (fireflies); the cushions of two high-backedbenches made with exclusive, traditional Japanese floral fabricdesigned by Kyoto kimono artist Jotaro Saito; and the carpet ofpine needles that links the lobby to the pines of the garden andthe Imperial Palace beyond.
A spectacularly crafted bamboo sculpture of a crouching dragonlying over the universe by Japanese designer Keisen Hama sitsmajestically at the center of the lobby. The only mythical creaturein the Chinese Zodiac that symbolizes strength, harmony and goodfortune, the dragon represents the rich Chinese heritage of ThePeninsula Group. Over at the reception area, there is a mural of 70layers of clay created by Japanese clay artist Shuhei Hasado, aceramic wall installation by Kosyo Ito, a glass sculpture by NiyokaIkuta, an urushi (ordinary lacquer) by Nobuyuki Tanaka, kanshitsu(high-quality lacquer) by Tsukasa Kofushiwaki and a ceramic pot byMachiko Ogawa. The lobby lift is reminiscent of the torii (gates) of traditional Japanese shrines.
An Ultra-Luxe Living Environment
For utmost privacy and exclusivity, separate lifts leading to theguestrooms, suites and spa are provided for the in-house guests.Stepping off the elevator onto the corridor, I felt like I had beentransported to the streets of old Kyoto; the andon floor lights,the granite and mirror panels set into the walls resembling waterand the origami-themed backlit acrylic slanted metal room-numberpanels made of washi paper are all unique to Kyoto. Upon enteringthe room, the interior design of Yukio Hashimoto took my breathaway; her use of wooden lattice motif, rich earth-tone colors onthe walls, red and antique black-finish lacquer for the work deskand coffee tables, karamatsu or pine-designed carpets, tsura(crane) and linen leaf patterns on the table lamps, cherry wood forthe headboards and TV cabinet and ajiro (reed-thin cedar wood)ceiling panels in a variety of weaves and patterns gave the room awarm, welcoming, tranquil vibe. The bathroom, with its largesoaking tub and stone faucet, creates an onsen (hot spring) feel toit. The almost floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer anunobstructed, panoramic view of the vibrant Tokyo skyline, bringingthe pulsating beat of this fascinating city into the hotel room asit comes alive at night.
Technology At Its Finest
The Peninsula-Tokyo boasts some of the largest and mosttechnologically advanced hotel rooms in Tokyo. The 314 hotel rooms,47 suites and 267 guest rooms in all (the smallest of which is 51square meters) have similar designs and offer the best and thelatest technology. Although I am no techie, I could not help butappreciate and be impressed with their attention to technologicaldetail. The rooms are heaven on earth for technophiles andtravelers who never leave home without their high-tech gizmos.
Apart from the conveniently located and user-friendly bedsidecontrol panel, guestrooms are equipped with dual-voltage multi-pinsockets, broadband Internet access, a fax machine that also worksas a printer/copier and an Internet radio with over 300 stationsfrom all over the world. Upon check-in, the radio is automaticallyprogrammed to the guest’s country of residence. The three-waytelevision system has an extensive selection of cable and satellitechannels plus an on-demand information system. It also offers avideo-on-demand function with about 80 movies and US TVprogramming, plus a customized Peninsula Lifestyle option withfeatures on travel, music, fashion, fitness and wellness inselected languages. The entire hotel is completely Wi-Fi enabledand each guestroom features a Skype-ready telephone that can besynchronized with guests’ personal mobile phones; incomingcalls can be automatically transferred via Bluetooth to any handsetin the room. The second phone is portable and converts to a mobilephone that works anywhere inside the hotel and within themetropolitan Tokyo area. All the phones feature thePeninsula-developed “non-slip friction pad” on thehandset to stop the phone from slipping in the hand or whenbalanced on the shoulder. When a phone call comes through in thedarkness of the night, a wall sconce lights up, bathing the phonein a gentle light for the duration of the call and thenextinguishing upon hanging up. Cool and absolutely out of thisworld, don’t you think? Wait till I tell you about thebathroom!
The luxuriously appointed bathrooms all have mood lighting withthree distinct ambient settings tailored to the guest’sneeds. A “spa button” right by the soaking tub dims thebathroom lights, plays soothing spa music and sets the“privacy” command for the phone and the doorbell. Inaddition, a steam-free, remote-controlled television screen isinstalled above the bathtub. The digital clock set into the mirrordisappears when the light is at its lowest setting and the bathroomair-conditioning is designed to ensure steam-free mirrors at alltimes. A hands-free telephone with controls near the tub and thevanity counter near the toilet allow a guest to “stay intouch” unless she/he chooses otherwise. The sound of the TVor radio is automatically muted for the duration of a call and thesound of running water and bathroom echo are digitally filtered.
If at the end of a long, hard day, a guest forgets to put on the“Do Not Disturb” sign, there is no need to get up; bypressing a button on the bedside panel, the sign will light up.Bedside lights fade gently and a night-light button paves a softlylit path toward the bathroom in the early hours of the morning.
Getting ready to step out onto the streets of Tokyo but don’tknow what the weather is like outside? No need to look out thewindow; just check out the panel conveniently located inside thedressing room and a display will tell you the temperature andhumidity level outside. The rooms are also equipped with an in-roomhumidifier, a nail dryer and a “chute” for dirtyclothes.
Japan’s First Branded Spa
No luxury hotel is complete these days without a spa and Espa atThe Peninsula-Tokyo tops them all! Espa promotes a treatmentphilosophy that begins and ends with an individual’s needs.Developed by renowned spa authority Susan Harmsworth, Espa offersdeeply personalized experiences with their exclusive treatments andproducts drawn from both Eastern and Western wellness andrelaxation philosophies, delivered by highly trained,English-speaking Japanese therapists. Espa is home to two exclusivetreatments derived from the 3,000-year-old traditional massagetechnique of shiatsu developed by Kaifuku Anma in Eastern Asia.
Espa occupies the sixth floor of the hotel with a spa receptionarea, a manicure and pedicure salon, separate relaxation andthermal suite areas for men and women and eight state-of-the-arttreatment rooms with the world’s first Clodagh Gemini fullyautomated treatment beds and private showers. The Thermal Suitesoffer crystal steam rooms, dry saunas, aromatherapy“Experience” showers and shaved ice fountains. On thefifth floor is the fitness center fitted with the latest equipmentfor weight training and cardio strengthening. From the20-meter/six-foot indoor heated swimming pool and vitality pool,you can see the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park.
A Gourmet Odyssey
Although I have only had the pleasure of dining at Peter, judgingby the long lines snaking up the stairs to The Lobby on the secondfloor on weekends, not to mention the weeks-in-advance reservationsat Chinese restaurant Hei Fung Terrace and Tsuruya, the famousKyoto kaiseki restaurant, it is safe to surmise that ThePeninsula-Tokyo offers some of the best dining experiences inTokyo. The Lobby, open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., is a favoritevenue of corporate bigwigs and business travelers for powerbreakfasts and lunch. The famous Peninsula Afternoon Tea is popularwith the who’s who of fashion and Japanese high society. ThePeninsula Boutique and Café, located at the basement, servescontinental breakfast, an a la carte all-day menu and a takeoutmenu. Its close proximity to the subway station makes it a perfectplace for people to pick up quick meals on the way to work or home.
Hei Fung Terrace offers authentic Cantonese cuisine set in a Suzhougarden-designed interior. A unique feature at the restaurant is TheChef’s Table, a private room located inside the kitchen whereguests can have a close encounter with chef Chi Keung Tang while hewhips up favorites like fried prawns with fresh mushrooms in creamsauce.
Tsuruya showcases kaiseki, a Japanese culinary art form thatbalances taste, texture, appearance and color. Dishes are preparedwith the freshest seasonal ingredients, meticulously presented onfine Japanese lacquer and ceramic ware with edible leaves andflowers often featured as the final touch.
Peter is located on the 24th floor and is utterly romantic at nightwith its 360-degree view of Tokyo. The menu, prepared by chef decuisine Patrice Martineau, formerly of The Savoy of London andDaniel in New York, includes his own simple yet exquisite take onsignature dishes with Hokkaido Zuwaigani crabs and Yonezawa confitbeef brisket. I particularly enjoyed the sautéed lobster ona bed of perfectly chewy Italian gnocchi and the amply portioned,delicately flavored goose-liver foie gras. The mousse-likechocolate dessert I had was divine; sweet but not sugary sweet andfresh without any hint of artificial flavoring. The wine selectionis extensive and half-bottle wines are available for those whoprefer to enjoy several types of wine without having to spend forfull bottles. With the dearth of so-called“fine-dining” restaurants in Tokyo and a proliferationof eateries riding on the popularity of certain luxury fashionbrand names, Peter stands out for staying true to what afine-dining restaurant is all about: excellent, freshly preparedfood first, impeccable service second and an absolutely divineinterior design that brings out the best in both.
In the tradition of honoring the outstanding careers of their mostloyal executives, Peter is named after Peter C. Boer, the currentchief operating officer of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels,parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, whose career spans almostthree decades with the company. In the same way, Felix at ThePeninsula Hong Kong honors Felix M. Bieger, a 50-year veteran ofThe Peninsula Hotels Group; while the hotel’s Frenchrestaurant Gaddi’s celebrates the work of Leo Gaddi, thefirst general manager of The Peninsula Hong Kong, who restored thehotel to its former glory after the Second World War.
The Peninsula-Tokyo is also home to the Seven Seas Pacific Aviationlounge, the Majestic room, the Grand and the Ginza ballrooms and asmall chapel for wedding ceremonies. To date The Peninsula-Tokyohas booked more than 100 weddings since their opening in September2007.
A Brief Historical Perspective
Many may be under the impression that The Peninsula Hotels is aChinese family-owned corporation since its first hotel wasestablished in Hong
Kong in December 1928. However, the Peninsula story began withEllis Kadoorie and Eleazar Kadoorie, two brothers of Jewish-Iraqidescent who in 1880 settled themselves in Shanghai and Hong Kong,respectively, from Baghdad via India. Under the alias E.S. Kelly, they began buying shares in The HongKong Hotels Limited and by 1906 owned a major holding of 20,000shares; in 1914, one of them was invited to take a seat on thecompany’s board. By the early 1920s, the Kadoorie brothers,along with members of their family, took full control of The HongKong Hotels Limited. In 1922, after acquiring an 85-percentcontrolling interest in The Shanghai Hotels Limited, the Kadooriesformally merged the two companies, thus The Hong Kong and ShanghaiHotels Limited was born. The venerable Hong Kong Hotel in theCentral district disappeared and was replaced by The Peninsula HongKong. Almost immediately, The Peninsula transformed Kowloon from asleepy backwater to a focal point of a vibrant social life. Asluxury ocean liners began to steam into Victoria Harbor, ThePeninsula Hong Kong welcomed the rich and famous, the titled andthe tycoons, with an embrace of unsurpassed luxury and warmth.Today the Peninsula brand name stands for deluxe-plus and countsthe same people as their loyal clientele, including generations offamilies who travel for business and leisure. The Peninsula Hotelshas grown to encompass eight award-winning properties in locationssuch as Hong Kong, Manila, New York, Beijing, Beverly Hills,Bangkok, Chicago, Tokyo and Shanghai in 2009.
Tradition, taste and assured service are the building blocks forall the properties of The Peninsula Hotels around the world andthese ideals are clearly evident at The Peninsula-Tokyo. Without adoubt, The Peninsula Group has firmly secured its place in thehighly exclusive, select world of the luxury hotel industry.
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For more information, visit www.peninsula.com or call (81-3) 6270-2288 for The Peninsula-Tokyo’s RoomReservations Department and 810-3456 for The Peninsula Manila.