Review: Shangri-La Tokyo

After a delightful flight to Japan in Thai Airways First Class , I had three more nights to enjoy in Tokyo before flying back home.
I was particularly anticipating this part of my journey, since I’d head straight from the airport to the Shangri-La Tokyo, my home for the next two nights. After hearing from Ricky about his great experiences at Shangri-La properties, I was thrilled to try it out for myself.
As I’d soon find out, my stay unfolded into a delightful story that redefined what I’ve come to expect from luxury hotels.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Booking
For full disclosure, the Shangri-La Tokyo generously offered to host me for two nights in support of our travel agency.
For a stay at the Shangri-La Tokyo, expect cash rates to range between ¥88,000–200,000 ($615–1,400 USD, $820–1,850 CAD) throughout the year. However, the average price is around ¥100,000 ($700 USD, $930 CAD) per night.
If you’re planning a stay at the Shangri-La Tokyo, it’s in your best interest to book your stay through Shangri-La Luxury Circle , a preferred partner program.
By booking through Shangri-La Luxury Circle with an authorized travel advisor, you can enjoy elite-level benefits for the same price as the best-available flexible rate, including hotel credits, complimentary breakfast for two, and an upgrade confirmed at the time of booking.




Book with Prince of Travel and Shangri-La Luxury Circle










Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Shangri-La Luxury Circle and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:

Daily full breakfast for two guests, including in-room dining
Upgrade to the next room type category, subject to availability at the time of booking
Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Property credit of $100 (USD) or 10% of the room rate, whichever is higher
Welcome amenity
Third, Fourth, or Fifth Night Free at select properties

 


Book Shangri-La Tokyo






Shangri-La Tokyo – Location
Positioned in the heart of the city, the Shangri-La Tokyo boasts a prime and strategic location that’s hard to beat. Its setting is versatile, and caters to both business and leisure travellers.





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The Shangri-La Tokyo is nestled in an area with other top-tier luxury hotels, including two Four Seasons properties, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, The Peninsula Tokyo, and the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, amongst others.
The Shangri-La Tokyo is housed inside the Marunouchi Trust Tower in Chiyoda City, just northeast of Tokyo Station.
Due to its proximity to Tokyo Station, it makes getting to the hotel both a breeze and a bit of a challenge.
Making your way to Tokyo Station is relatively easy, regardless of your mode of transportation. However, navigating your way through the station can be quite tricky, especially if it’s your first time.
Tokyo Station is enormous, and has a maze-like structure on the inside. While it might seem daunting, you need not worry, as the Shangri-La Tokyo offers a service whereby a staff member can meet you at the station to guarantee a smooth and hassle-free arrival.
Located just a 15-minute walk away to the west of the hotel is the Imperial Palace, which serves as the residence of the Japanese emperor and a popular tourist destination.
The location of the Shangri-La Tokyo in such proximity to Japan’s largest station guarantees easy access to the extensive Japanese rail network. Not only can you access the entirety of Tokyo, but it’s easy to get to other parts of the country by way of high-speed trains.
The Shangri-La Tokyo is located 40 minutes away from Tokyo Haneda by train, and around 20 minutes by car without traffic. During rush hour, it can take up to 40 minutes.
On the other hand, Tokyo Narita is around an hour and a half by train, or an hour by car, from the Shangri-La Tokyo.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Check-in
The hotel reached out to me in advance of my stay to confirm my arrival details. With my flight details confirmed, the staff proactively suggested a train and departure time that’d take me from Tokyo Narita to Tokyo Station.
After I confirmed the ticket purchase, including my train car number, the hotel arranged for a representative to meet me as I disembarked onto the train platform.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Meet-and-greet service
Shangri-La Tokyo – Meet-and-greet service
As it turns out, the staff member that met me is from Nepal, and we chatted over our shared love of the country as he navigated us through the throngs of people.
We eventually wound up at the Shangri-La Tokyo’s above-ground entrance, and he placed me in the care of the concierge staff members in the ground-floor lobby of the hotel.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Exterior
This was a notably pleasant and seamless start to my stay, and I arrived at the hotel feeling as though I’d been there before.
Just overhead of the main entrance is a beautiful painting depicting a serene mountain and lake landscape. I later found out that it’s meant to represent finding a Shangri La — a different world where you can find a different world view, dream, and relax.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Entrance
Shangri-La Tokyo – Concierge desk
Just outside the ground-floor elevators is a boutique with high-end jewellery and trinkets.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Ground-floor lobby lounge
I was shown to the elevators, which took me up to the lobby lounge on the 28th floor of the hotel.
Once the elevator doors parted, I stepped out into the hotel lobby lounge and I was immediately struck by the glittering chandeliers that adorned the space. It seemed as though I couldn’t look in any direction without spotting one.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Chandelier
Just outside the elevators is a lobby lounge, which offers a comfortable space with seating placed around the edges. It exudes a sense of calm, tranquility, and timeless luxury.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Lobby lounge
Shangri-La Tokyo – Lobby lounge
I stepped through the lobby lounge and walked past the check-in desk to further explore the space.
It’s worth noting that there are over 5,000 pieces of art dotted throughout the hotel, mostly inspired by Chinese poetry.
On the far side of the check-in area is a spiral staircase, which revolves around a massive central chandelier that hung from the ceiling. I found it to be simply breathtaking.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Lobby lounge staircase
Shangri-La Tokyo – Lobby lounge staircase
Shangri-La Tokyo – Lobby lounge staircase chandelier
Overtop of the check-in desk is a dazzling chandelier, and the back wall features a beautiful weaved piece of art depicting a town, which is finished in gold and blue fabric.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Check-in desks
Once the check-in formalities were completed, I made my way down a hallway decorated with colourful pops of art on the wall. It led to the main set of elevators, and I headed up to the 33rd floor to arrive at Room 3331.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Hallway
Shangri-La Tokyo – Elevators
Shangri-La Tokyo – Chandelier in elevators
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room
As I stepped onto the 33rd floor, I encountered hallways with soft, warm lighting.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Hallway
Shangri-La Tokyo – Room 3331
Upon entering my room, I was first in a small foyer that features a piece of art on the wall to the right-hand side. Just below it is a conveniently placed table.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room foyer
To the immediate left is another piece of art, and just below it is a small desk.
A large floor-to-ceiling closet runs along the wall. Inside, I found a safe, some drawers, an ironing board, two robes, a yukata , slippers, an umbrella, and a yoga mat.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room closet
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room closet
Shangri-La Tokyo – Yukata robes
I thought that the umbrella was a very thoughtful addition, and the yoga mat was handy for stretching in the room after a run around the Imperial Palace.
Just past the closet on the right is a small pantry and countertop, which houses a Nespresso coffee maker and a delicate Japanese tea set with an elegant, heavyset pot.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room pantry
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room tea set
Inside the pantry is where the well-stocked minibar and wine glasses are located.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room minibar
Walking past the bathroom to the right, the room opens up into the bedroom, which has stunning views of the Tokyo skyline. The room has beige carpets with some light decorative lines and flowers, which pair nicely with the rest of the room.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room bedroom
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room bedroom
The room’s centrepiece is the king-sized bed, which is positioned against dark wooden panels and flanked by two large mirrors on the side. On each side of the bed is a light and a bedside table.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room bed
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room bedside table
On top of the bed I found a set of pajamas, which is a particularly delightful inclusion at many Japanese hotels. There was also a bookmark with a quote from Lost Horizon, the book on which the Shangri-La’s name is based.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room bookmark
The bed directly faces a 49-inch flat-screen TV, which is again bordered by large dark wood panels. A Sony soundbar with Bluetooth connectivity can be found underneath.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Deluxe King Room flat-screen TV & soundbar
To the right of the TV is a spacious desk, which I found to be both comfortable and functional during my stay.
Shangri-La Tokyo – Del