Starwood (yes, Starwood) is back in growth mode. Its first Japanese property has just opened, and it’s a striking debut. 1 Hotel Tokyo sits high inside the new Akasaka Trust Tower, offering a calm, nature‑driven retreat above the city. From the lobby alone, you get sweeping views of the Imperial Palace gardens, Tokyo Tower, and the endless sprawl of Tokyo. The brand’s signature mix of nature-first design, thoughtful dining, and wellness‑focused spaces lands surprisingly well in one of the world’s busiest capitals.
The hotel anchors Tokyo World Gate Akasaka, a next‑generation district developed with Mori Trust. The location is prime. Akasaka sits at the crossroads of Tokyo’s cultural and commercial energy. Ginza, Roppongi, and Shibuya are all within easy reach. Yet the neighbourhood still feels calm, thanks to its parks, shrines, and embassies.
Inside, the 211 rooms lean heavily into Japan’s love of nature and craftsmanship. Sustainable materials, curated greenery, and tactile finishes create a grounded, serene atmosphere. Barry Sternlicht, the brand’s founder, says the design draws from the quiet beauty of Japanese gardens. You can feel that influence everywhere, from the textures to the lighting to the way the spaces breathe.
Miwako Date, CEO of Mori Trust, describes Tokyo World Gate Akasaka as a district that blends business, culture, and green space. 1 Hotel Tokyo fits that vision perfectly. It delivers a hospitality experience that’s both eco‑minded and beautifully crafted.
Wait, what? Starwood?
If you’re wondering why Starwood is suddenly back in the headlines, you’re not alone. Didn’t Marriott buy them years ago? Yes, but there’s a twist. As part of that takeover, Barry Sternlicht retained the rights to the Starwood name.
After the acquisition, his new company launched in 2015 under the name SH Hotels & Resorts. Then, last year, it officially rebranded to Starwood. Since then, the new Starwood has been ramping up growth across its three lifestyle‑driven brands: 1 Hotels & Homes, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels.
In other words, the Starwood name is back, just not in the way most people remember it.
A Nature‑Led Escape Above the City
The hotel spans the 38th to 43rd floors of the tower, pairing jaw‑dropping views with a design language that feels rooted in nature. CRÈME, the global design studio behind the interiors, imagined the hotel as a retreat that unfolds gradually. At street level, a wall of greenery signals the shift from city to sanctuary. As you ascend, it’s like moving up the trunk of a tree. At least until you step out into a lush, canopy‑like lobby on the 38th floor.
Inside, natural textures set the tone. Wood ceilings echo tree bark. Textured walls mimic the movement of air. A striking Oya‑stone feature wall nods to the stonework around the Imperial Palace moat. Greenery fills the spaces – living walls, potted plants, and views that frame Tokyo’s skyline like a moving landscape.
The 211 rooms, including 24 suites and three penthouses, continue the nature‑first approach. Expect Japanese minimalism blended with modern comfort: moss‑based biophilic art, décor crafted by local artisans, recycled materials used with intention, and calming greenery throughout. Some rooms even look directly onto the Imperial Palace gardens, one of the most peaceful views in Tokyo.
Dining That Shifts With the Day
1 Hotel Tokyo features three dining venues: NiNi, Spotted Stone, and Neighbors Café. NiNi blends the relaxed elegance of the French Riviera with the precision and refinement of Japanese cuisine. Spotted Stone serves as a daytime lounge for light bites before shifting into a lively nightlife spot after dark. Meanwhile, Neighbors Café offers a casual grab‑and‑go option for guests who want something quick and wholesome.
Nini
NiNi is helmed by Head Chef Nikko Policarpio, whose résumé spans Michelin‑starred kitchens in Tokyo and senior roles at David Chang’s Momofuku in Toronto. The name translates to “TwoTwo,” a nod to the restaurant’s dual identity: the relaxed charm of the French Riviera paired with the precision of Japanese cooking. The menu leans into Provençal herbs, olive oil, seafood, and citrus, all reinterpreted through Japanese seasonality.
A Josper Grill Oven anchors the kitchen, using natural charcoal to create clean, focused flavours. One highlight is the Maguro Tartare, built on a classic French foundation and lifted with subtle Japanese aromatics. Desserts draw inspiration from the South of France, including a reimagined baba made with Japanese black tea syrup and orange liqueur instead of rum.
On weekends, NiNi shifts into a slower, more leisurely brunch mode, complete with a Riviera‑style seafood plateau. A seasonal afternoon tea, crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Fumitake Goji and Chef Policarpio, arrives in a custom wooden box, adding a touch of ceremony to the experience.
Spotted Stone
Spotted Stone brings a distinctly Tokyo take on cocktail culture. The bar is dedicated to Japanese craft gin and showcases nearly 100 varieties, making it one of the city’s most eclectic collections. It’s curated like a living library, organised by botanicals, distillation style, and the philosophy behind each spirit. Guests can explore Japan through gin, one pour at a time.
By day, Spotted Stone is a relaxed lounge for light bites. As evening arrives, the energy shifts. Cocktail rituals take centre stage. A sculptural, cloud‑shaped back bar glows softly against textured walls, echoing the hotel’s organic design language. Music programming adds another layer, with resident DJs and international guests,including vinyl‑only sets.
Neighbours Café
Neighbors Café offers a grab‑and‑go experience built around community. Expect artisan coffee, premium teas, and wholesome snacks. The café also features items from The Matcha Tokyo, the Harajuku‑based organic matcha brand, along with treats from nearby small businesses. It’s designed for travellers, office workers, and locals who want something nourishing without slowing down.
Spaces for Every Gathering
For meetings, celebrations, and everything in between, 1 Hotel Tokyo offers more than 460 square metres of flexible event space on the 38th floor. The Sakura and Camellia rooms, along with three private dining rooms, are flooded with natural light and framed by views of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay. The hotel’s Certified Sustainable Gatherings program supports events with zero‑waste planning, local sourcing, and real‑time environmental reporting—bringing the brand’s nature‑led ethos into every detail.
A Wellness Sanctuary Above the City
Wellness sits at the centre of the 1 Hotel Tokyo experience, and the transition into that calm is immediate. Step inside the Bamford Wellness Spa, created with Carole Bamford, a pioneer of organic and holistic living, and the pace of the city seems to fall away. The spa focuses on treatments that nurture well‑being through targeted, holistic methods. Techniques like shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure, assisted stretching, and yogic breathing come together, blending ancient traditions with modern therapeutic approaches.
From there, the signature rituals set the tone. The 1 Hotel Tokyo Experience begins with a grounding foot ritual, moves into a restorative massage, and finishes with a personalised facial using Bamford skincare. The Japanese Bamboo Massage draws directly from local wellness traditions, using smooth Kyoto bamboo tools and green tea–infused oil to boost circulation and ease tension. Meanwhile, the Green Tea Healing Facial leans into premium organic Japanese skincare and pressure‑point work to release stress and restore radiance.
Beyond the spa, the hotel’s wellness offerings continue to unfold. The Field House, a 24‑hour movement space, features Technogym equipment and a full lineup of fitness classes. After a workout—or instead of one—guests can unwind in the light‑filled indoor pool. From there, an outdoor deck extends the experience, with greenery designed to support pollinators and create a tiny, thriving ecosystem above the city.
