The author stayed as an invited guest of Fairmont Tokyo. All opinions are the author’s own, and neither Fairmont Tokyo nor its parent company had input in any part of this article.
Tokyo is one of the world’s most competitive luxury hotel markets: Within a few square miles, there’s an Aman, Bulgari, Peninsula, and not 1, but 2 Four Seasons. Simply being 5-star in Tokyo isn’t enough.
While researching which hotels to feature during my travels around Japan, I came across the Fairmont Tokyo. It’s a relative newcomer, having opened in June 2025, so I was curious to see how it would distinguish itself in a city with as much choice as Tokyo.
I already had a fair idea of what to expect, as I’d recently stayed at the Fairmont Hanoi, which only opened in March 2026. That hotel blew me away, and I was hoping the Fairmont Tokyo would have the same impact.
I haven’t stayed in Tokyo’s other 5-star luxury properties, so I can’t give a like-for-like comparison. Hopefully, my July 2026 experience at Fairmont Tokyo, detailed below, should help you decide whether it makes your shortlist when planning your trip to the Japanese capital.
How To Book a Stay at Fairmont Tokyo
The lowest nightly rates I could find at Fairmont Tokyo for an entry-level Fairmont Bay King were a very respectable $655. That was for a stay in August 2026, which is the low season in Tokyo because of frequent rain and high humidity.
A Fairmont Gold Tokyo Tower View King (the room type I stayed in), complete with Gold Lounge access, was also reasonable, starting at around $1,030 per night.
You can reduce the overall cost of your stay by using ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward points when booking: 2,000 points convert to €40 ($45) off, so 20,000 points are equivalent to a $900 discount! Rewards from Bilt, Capital One, Citi, Rove, and U.S. Bank all transfer to ALL at varying ratios.
Alternatively, if you have the right travel rewards credit cards in your wallet, you can book through portals such as Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, the Capital One Premier Collection, or The Edit by Chase. Those channels make you eligible for a host of extra benefits, such as daily breakfast, dining or spa credit, room upgrades, and more.
My Room Was Timelessly Appointed, With Classic Japanese Influences
When I looked at the hotel’s photos online before my stay, I was unsure about the red carpet for a second. Then I remembered the significance of the color red in Japanese culture, from the iconic torii gates and shrines, to the red circle in the center of the nation’s flag.
The room was abundant with distinctly Japanese design elements, such as the sliding fusuma doors. They could be closed to separate the bedroom from the bathroom and dressing room area.
The overall style was typical Japanese minimalism, while the marble luggage shelf, stylish ornaments and artwork gave it the luxury 5-star hotel edge.
The beautiful marble finishes made their way into the bathroom, kitted out with double vanity and Japanese wet-room-style shower and tub.
The same blend of Japanese style and luxury notes, such as Fairmont-branded pajamas and portable charger, carried through into the room’s amenities.
And, of course, no room at a Fairmont hotel would be complete without its tastefully placed “F” stamp.
My favorite feature in the room was the chaise lounge in the window. As more of an early-to-bed man these days, I spent both evenings relaxing with the views over Tokyo Tower at night, with the Yamanote Line and Shinkansen tracks below as company. Reading my book while listening to Sam Smith in that very spot is a core memory I’ll cherish.
Evenings were made even cozier by the mood lighting, which could be dimmed and turned off by a bedside control panel.
Iconic Views of Tokyo From Every Angle
“Oh my God,” I said out loud I walked into my room for the first time and the blinds rolled up to reveal the Tokyo Tower in all its glory. Not all rooms have this privileged view, but room 4204 on the hotel’s top floor certainly did.
Views aren’t just reserved for rooms facing Tokyo Tower. The hotel’s lobby and main Vue Mer restaurant offer uninterrupted views over Tokyo Bay.
When it’s clear, AvGeeks can enjoy Haneda in the distance, and the SkyTree is visible from northern-facing windows.
City views can also be enjoyed from the gym.
You can save time and money by crossing the tourist viewing platforms off your list when staying at the Fairmont Tokyo. Its unique vantage point captures almost the whole city.
Outside Infinity Relaxation Pool and Onsen
A full-length swimming pool high above Tokyo’s streets isn’t a flex for luxury hotels in the city, it’s pretty much a prerequisite. What is rare is finding a pool that’s out in the open air. Fairmont Tokyo ticks both of those boxes, taking this hotel into a league of its own.
Stepping out onto the deck, I was surprised how quiet and peaceful it was. Starting my morning in the warm waters of this relaxation pool has logged itself in the top memorable moments of my entire time in Tokyo.
Relaxation continues inside, thanks to the Japanese-style shower and bathing facilities.
Unique Location, for Something Different
Rather than joining the crowds of luxury hotels around Ginza and Tokyo Station, Fairmont Tokyo is in the waterfront district of Shibaura.
For heading out and exploring the city, the nearest transport hub is Hamamatsucho Station, a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
From there you can catch subway lines, as well as regular JR trains, including the Yamanote Line, the famous Tokyo circular route that connects most of the city’s major hubs. The station is also where the city’s monorail departs, offering 15-minute express service to Haneda Airport (HND).
I didn’t spend much time exploring the area, as I wanted to make the most of every second in the hotel. What I can say, though, is that while walking to and from the Lawson (the closest konbini (convenience store)), I don’t think I ever saw another tourist. Commercial districts like this offer a unique insight into a city, surrounded by real Tokyoites going about their day.
It might not be the traditional, lantern-lit streets of Shibuya you’ve seen on social media, but if you’re looking for real, it doesn’t get more authentic modern-day Tokyo than this.
Fairmont Gold Lounge
Having basically moved into the Gold Lounge at the Fairmont Hanoi, I couldn’t wait to check out Fairmont Tokyo’s.
I arrived during the midday refreshment period, when a menu offering à la carte small meals was offered. After almost 2 months of me almost exclusively eating Japanese food, the chicken quesadilla jumped out. It was so good I ordered a second.
The afternoon tea menu, which changes daily, was about as decadent as it gets. It was heaven for this chocoholic.
There was also an evening cocktail hour, with freeflowing alcoholic beverages and snacks.
The inviting calm of the Fairmont Gold Lounge at breakfast was my favorite time of day to be there. It defined the hotel-within-a-hotel experience that Fairmont markets these spaces as.
As my room was just across the foyer from the 42nd floor Gold Lounge, it was honestly like stepping from my bedroom into my living room and having my own private chef make me breakfast.
The à la carte menu offered 6 options, including both Western and Japanese. I ordered my usual egg white omelet to balance out the indulgence of the lunchtime refreshment and afternoon tea.
The buffet was modest yet wasn’t missing a single vital hotel breakfast item.
The fresh cherries and gooey-in-the-middle mini chocolate muffins were my top picks.
It’s not a competition, but if it were, Fairmont Tokyo’s Gold Lounge beat Hanoi’s at just a couple of hours in.
Charismatic, Personable, Attentive Staff
Berouger, who manages the Gold Lounge, was the first team member I had a proper conversation with. When I realized I had left my passport on the plane, she went over and above to help me get it back.
However, it was Pritam who stole the show. He called Japan Airlines repeatedly for about 2 hours until he got through to someone who could help. I expressed how grateful I was that he managed to track down my passport, to which he modestly responded, “I’m just doing my job.”
Another example of excellent service is when a Gold Lounge server I hadn’t met yet poured me a glass of water. A split second after, another server, who’d brought me my preferred sparkling water earlier, winked from across the room and replaced the regular water with sparkling. That is 5-star service at its finest.
Every member of the Gold Lounge team, led by the lovely Moni, in Berouger’s absence, made a positive impact on my stay in some way, whether it was pulling out a chair, sharing a joke, or simply flashing a genuinely warm smile.
Even behind the scenes, having noted my dairy intolerance, the chef replaced the desserts in the afternoon tea with Japanese sweets, just for me.
I also noticed little housekeeping touches that I didn’t recall from previous hotel stays. It might be a small gesture, but covering my unfinished glass of water with a weighty lid was next level.
A special mention must also go to Serene, a black Labrador employed as the hotel’s official chief happiness officer.
Final Thoughts
As someone who highly values connection and cultural immersion when visiting new places, I left a little disappointed by Tokyo. Until my stay at Fairmont Tokyo, I was far from forming any kind of emotional connection with a city I had been so excited to visit for so long.
Just 2 nights at this hotel turned it all around for me. Tokyo can feel so big and like there’s too much to see and do, which can feel overwhelming. The incredible views of the city from all angles and seeing it change from day to night made me feel like I was taking it all in, without having to even leave the hotel.
And the warmth and hospitality of the Fairmont Tokyo staff restored the sense of connection that I’d been missing.
I am so grateful that my last 2 nights in the Japanese capital were spent at Fairmont Tokyo.
