Review: The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills

While in Tokyo, we stayed at the new Andaz property in the Toranomon district of Minato, Tokyo. I’ve heard good things about this property, so I was happy to check it out and experience it on our own. It definitely met my expectations.

The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities, and this trip partially accomplished a longstanding goal of mine, to share this vibrant city with my wife. I had intentions of staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, among my favorite hotels in the world, and yes, the setting for Lost in Translation, There was no availability at the Park Hyatt when we needed it, just after the new year, so we ended up at the Andaz Tokyo. In retrospect, this worked out well, I’m happy to try a new place.

View from the Andaz across Tokyo Bay, including Haneda airport in the distance

We arrived before normal check in time, and our room was not available, so we dropped our bags and went out for a walk around the area. On this New Years Day, we found very little open, even including parks. I’ll share more on our time in Tokyo in a later post. Eventually we headed back to the hotel and got keys for our standard king room. Like all Andaz, the design in public areas and rooms was very modern. This property opened mid-2014, and it still seemed pretty new.

Andaz Tokyo Toranamon King room

Andaz King room, with full length windows and a city view

The room was well designed with power ports and control for room lights on both night stands

Small, but well equipped night stand

Entry way, with closet and bathroom on the right, and a unique lamp, such as a Moroccan Lamp, on the left

Espresso machine and teapot

Andaz minibar, and as usual, all non-alcoholic items are free

large walk in closet

Separate shower with excellent and large bathtub with jacuzzi

Welcome to Japan, where high tech toilets have a control panel

Lots of bathroom amenities, and packaged perfectly as one would expect in Japan

Being winter, there is a special scent for the bathroom amenities, “Winter Yuzu”

Around the Andaz Tokyo

The hotel itself is on upper floors of an office tower. The elevator bank is in the middle of the building, and room face out. This made for somewhat long corridors on the guest room floors

Hotel is on upper floors of the tower, rooms are 47-50, lobby is above, gym below.

One night, we went to the rooftop bar on the 52nd floor for some cocktails and snacks. Being early January, it was a bit brisk, but there were heaters and blankets available. We enjoyed the view, as well as the food and drink. It is a nice spot, predictably over priced, and not the most creative name, but well described; “Rooftop Bar”.

Great view of the sprawling Tokyo metropolis from the Rooftop Bar

Given the New Year’s day arrival, during the afternoon tea/wine time in the lobby, they were also offering sake, as is tradition to celebrate the new year. They gave us the small plates (?) to drink the sake, and keep as a souvenir. The Shin symbol denotes the year of the monkey.

Happy New Year

I enjoyed some time at the gym, which was well equipped and had excellent views. The attached AO spa which is excellent, and my wife recommends a massage. I didn’t get a treatment there, I did enjoy a massage chair in the men’s locker room after my workout. There is also a lap pool with similarly expansive city views.

Workout with a view

In the morning, we had breakfast in the Andaz Tavern. It was a diverse selection of Western cuisines as well as Japanese on the buffet.

Breakfast in the Andaz Tavern

Sunrise in the land of the rising sun

Final Thoughts Andaz Tokyo

I enjoyed my stay at the Andaz Tokyo. I’d certainly return here, although I do also want to get back to the Park Hyatt. It has been a few years since I visited the Park Hyatt, but I found the Andaz to compare favorably, and at a lower price point. I’ve heard some reports of the Park Hyatt needing a renovation, and I can see that. The Andaz is definitely more modern.