Check out the latest pet-friendly boutique hotel in Tokyo 

With Covid-19 still plundering on, a staycation might just be the thing that you would need to get away from it all. If you’re in Tokyo, there’s this spot in Shinjuku that’s worth a try. The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group is a San Francisco, California-based hotel and restaurant brand owned by the multinational InterContinental Hotels Group. With a name such as IHG, you can expect professional and top-notch service all the way. 

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo is no exception. The boutique hotel officially opened its doors in October 2020 and is a destination experience that shouldn’t be missed. Upon stepping into the main lobby of Kimpton, you would be greeted by the friendly staff and the décor. The hotel’s theme is Manhattan meets Tokyo, and everywhere you go within the hotel, you can bask in the art and architecture of these two iconic cities combined. 

First impressions and room check-in

Upon entering the hotel, you are greeted by friendly staff dressed in chic black attire. Your check-in is processed while you relax in one of the couches. They serve you some green tea with a hint of lemongrass and mint sprayed using a bottle atomizer. You also get an oshibori or hot towel to relax the face while waiting. 

You are then accompanied by a staff member to your room. They will explain the surrounding art, such as the Mt. Yamashita illustration in the elevator. The service doesn’t stop there. You get a full tour of the room you’re staying in if you wish. 

Having stayed in many hotel rooms, I would have to say that Kimpton’s rooms take one of the top spots in terms of aesthetics. The interior exudes a modern yet classy ambiance. 

We were booked in a premium king room, and at the entrance, we were greeted by something you don’t often see in a hotel room – a bento box. Kimpton couldn’t have infused Japan’s culture into an interior concept better. 

What you see above is a bento box style nook showcasing a yukata that guests can wear to get an even more personal feel of Japan’s culture. Other items in the box compartments include a yoga mat, a hand fan to accompany the yukata, and an umbrella. 

Taking after Tokyo’s reputation of making optimal use of every inch of space, the room is definitely a blend of function and style. Take the bathroom layout, for example. 

You can choose between an open setup that extends to the rest of the room, or you can pull the sliding doors around to create some privacy. 

Meanwhile, the spacecraft-looking cupboard and drawers contain the mini-fridge, the vault, some complimentary tea, and coffee, which you can fully enjoy using the Nespresso and water heater located on the counter. 

Plus, you can’t take that view for granted.  

If you’re interested in checking out the hotel amenities and activities or craving for some room service, you can do so with a push of a button on the tablet provided in every room.

What’s any staycation without trying out the cuisine? Dinner at District, one of the restaurants in the hotel, was memorable. From the interior’s classy ambiance to the presentation of the dishes served, one would truly enjoy their time at the venue. Here are a few photos to get your mouth salivating. 

You can also begin or end your night with a few drinks at the lounge or terrace area adorned with comfy seats that would make you not want to get up. 

Other Kimpton Amenities

Remember the yoga mat mentioned earlier? Well, you can take that to Kimpton’s fitness center, which is open 24 hours. Imagine running on a treadmill with the Tokyo landscape as your view. The hotel also has a concept store on the ground floor where you can shop for local-made products like perfumes, candles, and pet clothes. 

Once shopping has built your appetite, you can grab a snack or drink at The Jones Café. 

If you’re looking for a venue for a wedding, birthday, or any other special event, Kimpton also has several function rooms to cater to your needs. They even have a chapel-like room all set up for the wedding ceremony. Then when it’s time for the reception, guests could head on over to Loft, a space as gorgeous as any other spot in the hotel.  

What sets Kimpton apart is that it is a pet-friendly hotel. You can bring your furbaby with you so they too could rest and relax. They accept big dogs, cats, and basically any domestic pets that guests wish to share their staycation with.

If you’re interested, you can even get a personalized drawing of your pet by the hotel’s in-house artist, which you can claim during checkout, or greeted at the door with a chalk illustration of your furbaby. 

Should you need a plush bed, food, water bowl, or mat for your pet, the hotel has got you covered. There is also a concierge list available of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers, and pet boutiques. Needless to say, Kimpton is all about making their guests’ experience more worthwhile. 

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo is only a three-minute drive from Shinjuku station, making it accessible for guests. For more information, head on over to their website.