As a hotel enthusiast, Uncle Cat’s first hotel review is long overdue. This time, we’re looking at Park Hyatt Tokyo, one of Hyatt’s eight Category 7 hotels.

The hotel occupies the upper floors of a high-rise in Shinjuku. Since the lower and middle floors are not part of the hotel, it isn’t especially easy to find—particularly when Google Maps sends you to the back of the building...

You have to go up to the hotel floors to check in. Similar to Park Hyatt New York, there is seating available while you wait. Fortunately, Park Hyatt Tokyo doesn’t seem to get that many guests at once, so check-in was reasonably efficient.

This was actually my first time seeing a room in a luxury hotel opened with a physical key.... Still, the shape is fairly distinctive.

Tokyo in the afternoon sunlight—full of boutique charm (please forgive Uncle Cat’s photography skills...)

After entering the room, my travel companion was stunned by the beautiful view. I thought it was quite nice too, though not exactly jaw-dropping. Later, I found out there’s a 52-story Mori Building not too far from the hotel where many people go to shoot night views, and admission is 1800 (lel). That gives you some idea of what a broad, high-floor view means to so many people in a city as beautiful yet oppressive as Tokyo...

Park Hyatt Tokyo: Another corner of the room

Take a look—how’s the handwriting?

I really like Hyatt’s bathroom design, with clearly separated areas. The downside is that Park Hyatt Tokyo did not provide bath salts, and the bathroom floor was not heated either. On that front, it loses badly to Park Hyatt New York.

Park Hyatt Tokyo: Bathroom

Another complaint: the carpet in the room felt Motel-level, and looked pretty bad. I had absolutely no desire to photograph it...
The hotel’s candlelit restaurant has a great atmosphere. But there were quite a few people dining there at night, so I couldn’t get a full wide shot. Still, I’m convinced the candlelight dinner game here is maxed out.

One last point: personally, I think transportation to this Park Hyatt in Tokyo is less convenient than to the city’s Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt. It was a 12-minute walk from the subway station I needed to use to the hotel. Considering Tokyo’s crazy taxi prices, if you stay at Park Hyatt Tokyo, your transportation budget may need to keep pace with the “upper class” as well...
The sunset is beautiful, but the sunrise is even better.

Overall, this hotel aims for a beyond-five-star, ultra-luxury standard, but in relative terms I’d only give it a passing grade.