With its lush biophilic interiors, sustainability-minded philosophy and sweeping views over Tokyo Tower, 1 Hotel Tokyo brings a refreshing new perspective to luxury hospitality in a city already overflowing with world-class hotels.
Tokyo may be flush with luxury accommodation, yet among the city’s latest openings few have generated as much anticipation as 1 Hotel Tokyo, the Asian debut of Barry Sternlicht’s sustainability-focused luxury brand.
Opened in March 2026, the 211-key property occupies the upper floors of Akasaka Trust Tower, placing guests within easy reach of Tameike-sanno and Kokkai-gijidomae stations, while neighbourhoods such as Roppongi, Toranomon and Marunouchi remain comfortably close. The location puts it squarely among some of Tokyo’s most established luxury addresses, including Aman Tokyo, Janu Tokyo, The Okura Tokyo and The Tokyo EDITION Toranomon.
What distinguishes 1 Hotel Tokyo, however, is not another exercise in polished urban luxury, but its commitment to biophilic design and sustainability. Fortunately, the hotel manages to deliver them in spades without feeling preachy.
Designed by Brooklyn-based studio Crème, the hotel embraces the nature-inspired aesthetic that has become synonymous with the 1 Hotels brand. The journey begins at the 38th-floor lobby, where lush greenery, reclaimed timber and natural stone combine to create a surprisingly calming atmosphere high above one of the world’s busiest cities.
The sustainability narrative is intricately woven throughout the property, especially for those with a more studious eye. Salvaged wood has been repurposed into design features, single-use plastics have been eliminated, and guests are encouraged to participate in the brand’s “1 Less Thing” initiative by donating unwanted clothing to local charities. There is even complimentary use of a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron for nearby journeys. Thankfully, none of it feels forced. The hotel remains first and foremost a luxury hotel rather than a sustainability lesson.
Then there are its expansive facilities. They include an 18-metre indoor swimming pool surrounded by abundant greenery, a Bamford Wellness Spa, a Technogym-equipped fitness centre and an outdoor sun deck offering fresh air and city views.
I had the opportunity to stay in the Panoramic Tower Studio Suite, which at 51sqm feels generous by Tokyo standards. Floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows frame uninterrupted views of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay, creating a constant visual reminder of the city’s extraordinary scale.
The interiors lean heavily into natural textures, with wood, stone and soft earthy tones complemented by potted plants and subtle green accents throughout. The effect is warm, calming and distinctly residential, a combination of luxury and the comfortingly familiar.
Modern conveniences have not been overlooked. USB and USB-C charging ports are plentiful, mood lighting is intuitive, and the bed ranks among the most comfortable in the city. As expected, sustainability touches appear throughout, from glasses crafted from recycled wine bottles to an in-room filtered water tap and a three-minute shower timer gently encouraging shorter showers.
The bathroom is equally impressive, featuring double vanities, a Japanese bidet toilet — but of course — and a deep soaking bathtub positioned beside an enclosed rainfall shower. Bamford amenities and geranium-scented bath salts add a welcome touch of indulgence.
As for the minibar is thoughtfully stocked with wines, sake, sparkling matcha and local soft drinks, while the pantry includes Nespresso coffee and teas from Japanese producer Teagrace.
Breakfast is served at NiNi, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant which blends Mediterranean influences with Japanese ingredients. Here the buffet offers an appealing mix of pastries, salads and Japanese specialities, alongside smoothies, juices and even morning cocktails for those looking to start the day with slightly more enthusiasm than usual.
If you prefer picking from the à la carte menu, the Japanese Breakfast proved particularly satisfying, featuring grilled miso-marinated black cod, house-made tofu, seasonal vegetables and an exceptionally delicate tamagoyaki. The French Toast was another standout, remarkably fluffy and elevated by roasted mikan orange.
Dinner sees NiNi transform into a far livelier affair. DJ sets, mood lighting and a more energetic atmosphere complement a menu that balances Mediterranean techniques with Japanese produce.
Highlights included the Crudo “Niçoise”, which cleverly captured the essence of the classic salad, and the excellent Sakura Ebi Linguini, where sweet shrimp and crisp snap peas provided both richness and freshness. The Bouillabaisse was deeply satisfying, while the Michinoku Half Chicken Confit delivered impressive tenderness. Dessert was equally memorable, particularly the fragrant Provincial Tea Ice Cream with its pronounced bergamot character.
Adjacent to the lobby, Spotted Stone functions as a relaxed lounge by day before evolving into one of the hotel’s most compelling evening venues.
The dramatic cloud-shaped back bar serves as a centrepiece, while the cocktail programme showcases Japanese ingredients through a thoughtful low-waste lens. An extensive collection of Japanese craft gin further reinforces the local focus. I enjoyed the Yuzu Revival, which delivered a bright, citrus-forward interpretation of the Corpse Reviver template, while Count Koji offered a more unusual combination of strawberry, koji and sake vermouth that somehow worked remarkably well.
The venue also hosts regular guest shifts and collaborations, positioning itself as a serious addition to Tokyo’s increasingly competitive cocktail scene rather than simply another hotel bar.
For lighter bites and takeaway coffee, Neighbors serves as the hotel’s casual grab-and-go café near the lobby.
Verdict
1 Hotel Tokyo arrives with a distinctive proposition in a city already overflowing with luxury accommodation. Rather than competing solely on scale, exclusivity or opulence, it offers something increasingly relevant: a luxury experience that feels genuinely connected to sustainability without sacrificing comfort or style.
Combined with excellent dining, vibrant nightlife venues and beautifully designed guestrooms overlooking Tokyo’s skyline, it makes a compelling case for itself as one of the capital’s most interesting new hotel openings.
Best For: Design-conscious travellers, sustainability-minded guests and anyone seeking a calming urban retreat in central Tokyo.
Don’t Miss: Sunset views from the Panoramic Tower Studio Suite, cocktails at Spotted Stone, dinner at NiNi and a dip in the greenery-framed indoor pool.
[Photo credits: 1 Hotels]
Shawn Loh has almost a decade’s experience writing travel guides as well as hotel reviews with a focus on incidental executive lounge, dining and bar experiences. He has on occasion been first or among the first guests to check into or cover newly-open properties in the Asia-Pacific, with reviews usually released just days after the hotel opens to the public, and visuals published on the site usually the world’s first look at the properties beyond official press images.
1 Hotel Tokyo
Address 2 Chome-17-22 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan (Google Maps link)
Tel (81) 3 6441 3040
Web www.1hotels.com/tokyo
Instagram @1hoteltokyo
Rates book here
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