Why book?
Say ciao to Rome-meets-Tokyo in the clouds. Bulgari Hotel Tokyo offers a taste of la dolce vita in Japan, crowning the apex of a sharp new 45-story skyscraper. The hotel blends contemporary Italian design and precise Japanese craftsmanship with a sprinkling of glamorous Bulgari heritage. Inside, hand-blown Venetian glass lights are suspended from Japanese temple-like wood ceilings, while Carrara marble tables and Venetian terrazzo are softened by fabrics by centuries-old Kyoto textile makers. Swathes of signature black Bulgari granite are lightened by pops of jewel-bright color (orange saffron, emerald greens, sapphire blues) alongside heritage drawings of Bulgari jewels and vintage photography of celebrities (Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor). Not to forget the views. Perhaps even more precious in Tokyo than a Bulgari jewel is its decadent scattering of cloud-brushing terraces, with lemon trees, jasmine and iconic city views. The result? A surprisingly smooth mesh of two cultures.
Set the scene
Tokyo is the eighth gem to be added to the global Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection. Despite the diversity of locations (Bali, Paris, Dubai, London), they share the same design DNA, courtesy of Milan’s ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. The new hotel spans the top six floors of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu tower, only minutes on foot from labyrinthine Tokyo Station, where suited staff can collect guests from bullet train platforms. Walkways inspired by Roman sanpietrini paving stones and green-veined Italian marble mark the ground floor entrance, leading to expanses of black granite and large abstract flower arrangements, before ear-popping lifts transport guests to the 40th floor. Here, the transition into the Bulgari universe continues along a corridor elegantly lined with an iconic traditional Japanese textile pattern – which, in a serendipitous cultural overlap, resembles Bulgari’s iconic Diva collection, inspired by the Caracalla Bath floors in Rome. The Japanese motif is captured in bespoke glass mosaic tiles by Venetian artisans Bisazza; monochrome 1950s photography of celebrities at the original Bulgari flagship on Via Condotti in Rome line the opposite wall. Sliding doors covered in a textile rendition of the same pattern open to reveal the hotel reception. Spaces partitioned by crafted elm-wood portals evoke a hint of traditional Japanese architecture, with glass walls on both sides framing epic Tokyo views. Two large Carrara marble tables, created by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa for Marsotto Edizioni, are adorned with gold-flecked vases containing seasonal blooms. The arrival sets the scene for a cornucopia of Bulgari treats: 98 guest rooms, an Italian restaurant, a sushi restaurant, a Lounge, an Italian sweet shop, a rooftop Bulgari Bar, plus a glamorously restorative spa.
The back story
“It’s about bringing the Italian art of living to Japan,” explains Silvio Ursini, executive vice-president of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, over a Giardino cocktail in the Bulgari Bar. A further layer of the hotel concept is found in the ground floor lifts – where an image of Mount Fuji with a red pine tree in the foreground hangs on the wall. It depicts a bespoke brooch made by Bulgari in the 1970s for its very first Japanese client – a commission that marked its first foray into Japan, which is today one of the brand’s most important markets. This Mount Fuji motif is threaded throughout the hotel – from the design on the back of the in-room cotton yukata gowns and its gold-branded paper bags to the original gold and mother-of-pearl brooch displayed on the 40th-floor lobby.
The rooms
Warm elm wood floors and panels. Woven bamboo basket vases on the walls. Subtly reflective hand-brushed matte gold ceilings with curved edges. Saffron fabric bed headboards. Framed vintage Bulgari advertisements. Silver bedside lamps inspired by a Bulgari candleholder. Gold-flecked throws crafted by Kyoto kimono textile makers Hosoo. Flexform armchairs alongside sharply lined Maxalto desks. And modern sliding screens leading to black granite bathrooms. My guest room is refreshingly light, airy and crafted, the glamour factor tempered by wood craftsmanship and natural materials. Not to forget the views: blinds automatically rise every time the door opens to reveal a forever jaw-dropping Tokyo view, be it day or night (my room overlooks the Imperial Palace, skyscrapers and, on clear days, a distant Mount Fuji; rooms on the other side overlook Tokyo Bay). Among its 23 mainly two-room suites is the epic Bulgari Suite. One of the biggest in Tokyo, it spans 416 square metres – complete with a seemingly endless living room, with a string of separate areas for lounging, eating, relaxing, working and living the Bulgari dream. The mesh of Japan-Italian influences continues – from the Murano glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso to the Hosoo-crafted silk headboard designed by Japanese artist Shoko Okumura. Other highlights include a private gym-with-a-view plus a Roman travertine-wrapped bathroom. Threaded throughout the hotel is a balance between Italian design and Japanese craftsmanship (reflected in Flexform, B&B, and Flos sitting alongside bespoke wood furniture by Japan's Ritzwell)–all inspired, according to Patricia Veil, by an Italian gioia di vivere (joy of living).
The food and drink
A taste of Italy is centre stage, courtesy of Il Ristorante–Niko Romito (also present in five other Bulgari Hotels). The restaurant spans a light-flooded double-height space on the 40th floor, with saffron fabric, caramel leather, copper net curtains and Murani glass lights hanging from a curved wooden ceiling inspired by Japanese temples. Here, Michelin-starred Chef Niko serves up his signature minimalist, pared-back cuisine–defined, he tells me, by a quest for “taste, flavors, authenticity"–reflecting an auspicious harmony with the subtly of Japanese cuisine. While the menu is the same globally, flavors shift depending on local ingredients–as reflected in his signature clear, flavor-packed vegetable essence broth, with its simple drop of Champagne, olive oil and sage leaf, which Bulgari staff declare is surprisingly sweeter in Tokyo than elsewhere, due to the delicious carrots. A string of bite-sized treats on his Menu Degustazione All’Italiana is a highlight, from the compact cheesiness of his frittatina di pasta (deep-fried pasta) to the hint of early summer in asparagus, parmesan and citrus zest—all served on Ginori ceramics alongside silver cutlery and Murano glassware.
Organic teas and crafted sweets as pretty as jewels are served among the Italian aesthetics of its adjacent Lounge, overlooking a large terrace. Next to it is Bulgari Dolci, a jewelery box-like space with sparkling mosaic tiling showcasing chocolates and pastries by Niko Romito. Hidden nearby, behind an indigo-dyed curtain, is Hoseki, meaning jewel in Japanese. Here, chefs – directed by acclaimed sushi maestro Kenji Gyoten – present a delicious medley of handcrafted sushi at an elegantly intimate eight-seat counter crafted from a single piece of hinoki cypress wood, overlooking a small Zen-inspired Japanese garden with a centuries-old stone lantern and red pine tree. Firefly squid, fatty tuna, anago eel–during my dinner, a steady stream of seasonal sushi is presented directly on the wood counter, accompanied by bite-perfect Gifu rice and crisp Fukuoka sake, sipped from a collection of Japanese ceramics chosen by guests. Up on the 45th-floor Bulgari Bar, the atmosphere shifts from serene to after-dark buzzy. Here, the vivid red shade of my fruity Bulgari Signature Cocktail fits in perfectly with the bold Venetian terrazzo flooring, signature oval bar, and an otherworldly Bisazza wall mosaic of birds and trees. Best of all is the large roof terraces, with contemporary seating and aromatic Mediterranean plants, flowing along both sides of the bar.
The spa
Expanses of Italian Vicenza stone and teak wood flow along a corridor leading to the Bulgari Spa – another jewel in the crown of the new Tokyo hotel. It’s hard not to feel like a bona fide Bulgari diva while sinking into the glittering waters of the 25-metre swimming pool and glamorous window-side jacuzzi, with their light-reflecting gold and emerald green glass mosaic tiles (yes, even with a very unsexy, very Japanese compulsory black swimming cap on my head). White cabanas—inside and out, on a rooftop terrace—with sweeping Tokyo views are perfect for Bulgari-style lounging. Another highlight is a wetness area with a Japanese-style bath, sauna, and steam room. On the 41st floor, in one of nine treatment rooms with city views, my face receives a Bulgari upgrade courtesy of an Augustinus Bader Exclusive Bulgari Facial, perfectly executed by my warm therapist Xenia. Nearby is Workshop Gymnasium, where, as across the Bulgari collection, original programs curated by London fitness guru Lee Mullins are carried out with gusto among a shiny array of high-tech machines.
The service
The Italy-meets-Japan crossover continues among the hotel’s international staff–as reflected in the ring of buongiornos and konnichiwas in the air. Despite the differences in service styles in the two nations, the sleekly-clad staff are unwaveringly smooth, friendly, and knowledgable–managing to meet somewhere between Japan's intuitive but formal hospitality and the more relaxed warmth of Italy.
The surroundings
Like most Tokyo luxury hotels, it’s in the heart of skyscraper land. While it’s not the most intimate or local atmosphere, it’s perfectly positioned to explore the city–nearby is the Imperial Palace (a popular morning running spot). At the same time, the shops and restaurants of Marunouchi, Ginza and Nihonbashi are also close.
Who comes here?
During my early visit, I spotted a string of Serpenti bracelets, white gold rings, and gem-toned handbags – a trend likely to continue, with Japan’s many Bulgari devotees likely making a jewel-laden pilgrimage to the new hotel, in addition, to a sexy sprinkling of dazzling Italians. The Bulgari’s celebrity associations – plus its impressively large suite–will also no doubt ensure a string of big-name visits (during my visit, there were repeated whispers of Anne Hathaway–a Bulgari ambassador–staying to attend the hotel’s opening gala).
Eco effort
While amenities in the guest rooms are currently in single-use plastic bottles, the GM says these will be phased out at all Bulgari Hotels over the coming year, replaced with larger-sized non-disposable bottles. Water is provided in glass bottles and paper cartons. An energy-saving sensor system in guest rooms means that power is cut and blinds lowered when empty–ensuring temperature control and lower energy use (plus, a bonus, a dramatic rising-blind-moment revealing Tokyo views every time guests return to rooms).
Accessibility
There are two rooms with disability access for guests.
For families and pets?
The hotel welcomes guests of all ages with a flurry of amenities for mini Bulgari devotees – from mini in-room teepees and toys to kids’ rucksacks, plus children’s menus. Hours in the pool are limited to adults after 5pm. Pets are not currently allowed to stay.
Anything else to mention
For those still in any doubt, despite Bulgari’s deeply luxurious heritage and celebrity credentials (and I confess, my admittedly stereotyped expectations), the hotel is beautifully un-bling–more of an elegantly crafted dialogue between two cultures through design, cuisine and hospitality.
Is it worth it?
For those who can afford a Serpenti, definitely. For others? It’s pricey, even by Tokyo standards–but the seamless Rome-meets-Tokyo luxury experience will no doubt make it a worthy of a pilgrimage for lovers of the Bulgari brand, as well as devotees of Italian and Japanese design and cuisine.
2-2-1 Yaesu, Tokyo
Japan
https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/tokyo
+81 3-6262-3333