The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel

In Tokyo, where mixed-use is the rule, a hotel is rarely just a hotel. Case in point: the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho development, a compound on the site of the former, beloved Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka. Just blocks from the Imperial Palace, the project had its work cut out from day one, not least the natural dignity and serenity that proximity demands. By and large, it’s been a success, sharing its precious space (as one must in Tokyo) between retail, dining outlets, long-term residences, and — in typical East Asian style — a luxurious hotel tower, the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho.

A custom, faintly spiced aroma greets you on arrival, to give you an idea of the meticulous standards these hoteliers keep. You’ll likely be more interested in the visual appeal, given the “gallery” focus; they enlisted Rockwell Group Europe to frame the city views in the “theme we all can agree on” sense, captured perfectly in each room through oversize windows and plush window benches. Opposite these sit bespoke Simmons levitation beds with down duvets, exceedingly comfortable counterpoints to that exhilarating perspective, and the rest of the interior design falls in place in a quietly geometric, cleanly minimalist mode. Spring for a higher-tier room to take advantage of a freestanding bathtub with yet more city views.

As with many hotels of this ilk, the Club Lounge is a hive of activity; visit as much for its sweeping panorama as its facilities: pool, Swiss spa, welcome drinks, shoeshines, and a full suite of business services. A trio of suitably elegant restaurants round out the experience — Washoku Souten gets our vote for its traditional Japanese cuisine and sake bar in a crystalline space with wraparound exposure — while a matching trio of bars sustain the impeccable service in ambiences ranging from candles-and-velvet to commanding views of the twinkling urban twilight. A nightscape for a nightcap.