One ascends, in order to descend. Or so it is, at the The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a hotel perched up in the sky on the 36th floor, where the lobby stands close to the clouds, and you then need to take the lift down (!) to your room. It became my home away from home on a recent holiday I took to Japan, a country where I find much peace and beauty, meaning that it was a natural destination for a rare break.



For a city that bustles (Tokyo is the largest urban city in the world, at over 38 million dwellers), there are so many parts to the city that offer a moment of calm and reflection. Whether it's from the food that is prepared with such care (I waited an hour to eat a bowl of Ramen at Ichi-ran in Shibuya, the restaurant essentially specialising in just one stock of soup - it was worth the wait, fyi!) or the packaging they fold with purpose, I've always admired how the Japanese take pride in whatever they put out. The same could be said for the new (only 3 years old) Prince Gallery Tokyo Kiocho hotel, part of the Prince Hotels & Resorts Luxury collection, housed in a building in the Chiyoda City neighbourhood, that was far enough away from the craziness of Shinjuku and Shibuya's lights and pulsating energy, but close enough to the action that by cab or subway, you could choose your speed easily.



In Tokyo, I always make it a point to visit Ginza - my favourite pearl jeweller, TASAKI, has their flagship in the main street, housing edgy pearl earrings and necklaces by Thakoon and Prabal Gurung. It's also handy that right next door lives Kyukyodo, my favourite shop to buy incense and decorative papers in. Then it's a quick few blocks down the street to buy too many washi tapes at Itoya, probably the best stationary store in the world. 

 
Another reason to love Tokyo is its food. From the most amazing sushi, ramen, yakitori and Kaiseiki dinners, amongst so much more, you can't really go wrong. My hotel concierge recommended a local Yakitori restaurant when my researched choice was full, and once finding it (it was hidden in an alley and on the second floor), Jomon Shibuya was a perfect recommendation as we were the only English speaking people there (a good sign) but the staff were super friendly, as was the table of young women next to us, who helpfully ordered the delicious things I could point to. Though I was on a mission to try Ugly Delicious, chef and eater, David Chang, instagrammed a Lawson (a convenience store you find on almost every corner in urban cities in Japan) egg sandwich, claiming it was the best 200 yen (approx £1.40) he'd ever spend there on food. And so I went in search of this fabled sandwich, and lo and behold, he's right. 



Back at The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho hotel, my room was high up on the 34th floor and had an incredible view of the city, with a daybed built into the window on the edge of the room. Touches you could only find there, was a drawer with a beautiful tea set or a pair of kimonos you could lounge in (rather than the furry bathrobe of Western a make). Byredo products are exclusively stocked in the room, which are great to use after a dip in their heated pool on the Spa floor, again overlooking the city and its expanse.



The benefit of a hotel that has recently been completely refurbished is that technology can be built into the rooms, made to be useful rather than gimmicky. With iPads that controlled the lights, drapes, and even the television, it meant I could laze in bed and keep the comfort to a maximum. Clever.
 
I will always choose Japan, and Tokyo, to spend any free time. It is a land of beauty and consideration, and I don't generalise when I say the customer service there is bar none. I'm glad to have found a home away from home with The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, as you'll be able to find me there, either in the pool high up with the clouds or daydreaming by my hotel window.


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