Travel 3 minutes 07 August 2023

MICHELIN Guide Special Feature on Hotels
Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

Not just a stay, but a unique experience. A hotel selection from the MICHELIN Guide.

Once filled with the mansions of feudal lords, Tokyo’s Kioicho district still retains much of the character of old Edo. From the day it first opened in 1964, Hotel New Otani Tokyo has offered a full complement of amenities and gracious hospitality, welcoming countless guests as a venue for international symposia and elegant dinner parties. Hotel New Otani Tokyo is one of Japan’s most internationally recognised hotels, renowned for its spacious Japanese garden bordered by the outer moat of the former Edo Castle. The hotel is a pioneer in sustainability, having installed its first composting plant in the 1990s, and continues to balance sustainable operations and offering comfort without compromise.

EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN is a luxury hotel situated on the 11th and 12th floors of The Main building of Hotel New Otani Tokyo. The tranquillity of this private space reflects a Zen state of mind. A dedicated concierge desk offers round-the-clock support. Despite being in the heart of Tokyo, EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN is in touch with nature, a place where guests can feel at ease, captive to neither past nor future. True to its name, EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN offers a detox for both body and spirit, rejuvenating you for the activities of the coming day.


©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

Guestrooms with a Wabi-Sabi Theme

True to the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—muted, understated beauty—the guestrooms at EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN are enfolded in the traditional colours and natural materials of Japan, such as charcoal and washi paper. The hand-drawn ink artwork is striking. Austere yet somehow nostalgic, the subdued tones wrap the guest in an aura of calm. A space where you can let time slip through your fingers, gazing out the window at the expanse of sky and scudding clouds or leisurely perusing a book.



Three classes of guestrooms are available: Deluxe, Junior Suite and Suite. Great care is taken to convey a sense of Japanesque ambience that feels natural, whether the guest is from Japan or from overseas. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
Three classes of guestrooms are available: Deluxe, Junior Suite and Suite. Great care is taken to convey a sense of Japanesque ambience that feels natural, whether the guest is from Japan or from overseas. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

ZEN Lounge: A Guests-only Executive Lounge Offering Stunning Views and Exquisite Food

Food presentations are changed six times a day, each with a different theme. EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN guests can use the ZEN Lounge free of charge. Take special note of the J-cereal Medicinal Porridge, which you can enjoy for breakfast. This dish is made with the Hotel’s original multigrain blend, consisting of assorted grains and rice from Karumai, Iwate Prefecture, one of Japan’s foremost grain-growing regions. Taste and choose from twelve ingredients for a healthful, nutritious breakfast. Including Pierre Hermè Paris croissants, baked fresh that morning, and more, there is an impressive selection on offer. When the hour for hors d’œuvres rolls around, shining gold consommé soup is served. This masterpiece in a bowl is made with bouillon drawn from a variety of meats and vegetables over three days. Enjoy all this in elegant surroundings with breath-taking views of verdant Akasaka Palace, the office towers of Shinjuku and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. A concierge is always on hand, so feel free to ask for advice when planning your stay.


Linger in a relaxed frame of mind in the 200 m2 ZEN Lounge, enjoying stunning panoramic views of Tokyo. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
Linger in a relaxed frame of mind in the 200 m2 ZEN Lounge, enjoying stunning panoramic views of Tokyo. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

A Spacious Japanese Garden Surrounded by the Outer Moat of Edo Castle

The face of Hotel New Otani Tokyo is its stately Japanese garden. The garden boasts a history spanning four centuries, as it was formerly part of the Edo estate of Kato Kiyomasa (1562–1611), lord of the Kumamoto domain, and subsequently the garden of the Ii family, lords of Hikone domain. With garden lanterns and pagodas interspersed among its ponds and footpaths, the garden envelops visitors in the feeling of old Japan. The flowers that bloom in different seasons, along with the carefully manicured trees, express the shifting moods of the passing year. The garden is also a popular photography spot for weddings, receptions and anniversaries. From morning constitutionals to evenings when the garden is lit up, the Japanese garden of Hotel New Otani Tokyo offers pleasant strolls for any schedule.


The garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, with its koi pond and 6-meter waterfall, is one of Tokyo’s best-known gardens. The brilliant vermilion arched bridge is a popular spot for commemorative photography. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
The garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, with its koi pond and 6-meter waterfall, is one of Tokyo’s best-known gardens. The brilliant vermilion arched bridge is a popular spot for commemorative photography. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

Tour d’Argent Tokyo, a One MICHELIN Star Restaurant

Tour d’Argent is a Paris restaurant beloved by devotees of fine cuisine since its establishment in 1582. Tour d’Argent Tokyo is its only branch anywhere in the world. Just as Hotel New Otani Tokyo is the standard-bearer for Japan’s tradition of gracious hospitality, Tour d’Argent Tokyo highlights the culinary panache for which France is renowned. Within you’ll find historical artefacts, including the very first type of fork, exhibited as if in a museum. Elegant dining in a space out of the ordinary creates memories for a lifetime.



Tour d’Argent Tokyo is directed by Executive Chef Renaud Augier, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France ("one of the Finest Craftsmen of France", M.O.F.). The restaurant is famed for its tradition of presenting a numbered certificate to each person who eats its signature dish of pressed duck. ©Tour D'argent Tokyo
Tour d’Argent Tokyo is directed by Executive Chef Renaud Augier, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France ("one of the Finest Craftsmen of France", M.O.F.). The restaurant is famed for its tradition of presenting a numbered certificate to each person who eats its signature dish of pressed duck. ©Tour D'argent Tokyo

Efforts for Sustainability

Hotel New Otani Tokyo understands that caring for the environment is a big part of hospitality. That’s why Hotel New Otani Tokyo installed a composting plant in its grounds. Every day the hotel turns some five tonnes of kitchen waste into 100% organic fertiliser. The Hotel ships this fertiliser to its contracted farmers to use for growing fruit and vegetables, in an environmentally friendly act of recycling. The resulting produce is mainly used in the employee cafeteria.

The Hotel is environmentally active in other ways. Wastewater from Hotel kitchens is reused via an underground greywater recycling plant. Hotel New Otani Tokyo recently became the first hotel in Japan to adopt carbon-neutral city gas (CNL), aggressively reducing CO2 emissions. The Hotel is also passionate about the idea of local food.

A large hotel such as Hotel New Otani Tokyo consumes a lot of energy. To function as a self-contained neighbourhood and contribute to a recycling-oriented society, Hotel New Otani Tokyo has installed a variety of equipment for reusing resources. The Hotel is committed to fulfilling its obligations to society and the environment while never compromising on the comfort of guests.


This composting plant was built in 1999. Revolutionary in its day, the plant attracted numerous observation tours by local governments and served as a pioneering model for later social movements. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
This composting plant was built in 1999. Revolutionary in its day, the plant attracted numerous observation tours by local governments and served as a pioneering model for later social movements. ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

The MICHELIN Guide is pleased to introduce you to carefully selected hotels in cities around the world. Join us for a unique and exciting experience.

Illustration image ©Hotel New Otani Tokyo - EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

Related Article:
What Is a MICHELIN Guide Hotel?



Travel

Keep Exploring - Stories we think you will enjoy reading