Aman properties are legendary for their architecture, exceptional service, deep respect for the environment, and their signature sense of serenity. They are also among the most expensive hotels in the world. While Four Seasons represents luxury for the many, Aman is luxury for the few—designed for the ultra-wealthy and those who crave privacy, space, and utter calm. Every detail is personal, every request met with precision and grace.
Most Aman properties are resorts, but a handful are urban sanctuaries—in cities such as New York, Kyoto, Bangkok, and Tokyo. We decided to treat ourselves to three days at Aman Tokyo, an oasis high above the bustle of the city. Opened in 2014 as the brand’s first urban hotel, it occupies the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in Tokyo’s business district, just a short distance from the Imperial Palace.
The experience begins as you ascend by elevator to the 33rd floor, where the lobby unfolds in breathtaking scale. The space is minimalist yet monumental, with a soaring 30-meter ceiling made of white washi paper, bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the city, the Imperial Palace gardens, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day. There’s no traditional front desk—check-in takes place while you relax in a comfortable chair with a warm towel, tea, and a small snack.
The hotel has 84 suites in various layouts, all generously sized. Our Deluxe Room, about 764 square feet, reflected Aman’s signature aesthetic—minimalist, natural, and serene. Bowls of snacks greeted us on arrival, and the minibar offered complimentary water, juices, and sodas. The bed was low and the storage limited, but the calm design and step-down living area with wide city views more than compensated. The bathroom, hidden behind shoji-style sliding doors, was luxurious, with double sinks, the softest towels, a deep stone soaking tub beside large windows, and an open shower. Each sink had its own set of amenities—a thoughtful touch more hotels should adopt.
If I had one quibble, it would be with the room’s lighting system. The switches weren’t illuminated and didn’t have identical controls on both sides of the bed—slightly inconvenient in a pitch-black room, however blissful the darkness.
The facilities are exceptional. The spa spans two floors and covers nearly 27,000 square feet, featuring a Pilates studio, yoga room, fitness center, Japanese baths, and a 98-foot indoor pool that seems to float above the skyline. Treatments are exquisite but extremely pricey, and since the spa is open to the public, it’s best to book ahead.
Dining options include an omakase restaurant (dinner only), Arva—an Italian restaurant that also serves breakfast and lunch just off the lobby, a stylish bar offering light meals and cocktails, and a patisserie in the basement. As with everything at Aman, every meal, cocktail, and treatment comes with a steep price tag. A car to the airport costs about $500 CAD; a taxi van costs around $100.
The location is central: a 10-minute walk to the Imperial Palace, 10 minutes by taxi to Ginza, and direct train access beneath the tower. Ubers and taxis were always easy to get, and twice the hotel provided its house car without us even asking.
What truly sets Aman apart is the service. After staying at one, you understand why devoted fans call themselves “Aman junkies.” Whatever you wish for—whether a custom-made kimono or a fan-decorating experience—the staff makes it happen, quietly and flawlessly—the only exception: dinner reservations, which in Tokyo often require third-party apps.
Our stay exceeded every expectation in comfort and service. But would I return? Only if it were on someone else’s dime. In a resort, where you spend days soaking in the atmosphere, the cost feels justified. In a city, where you’re out exploring most of the time, the price stings a little—it felt like I was spending my kids’ inheritance. Tokyo offers many world-class hotels at half the cost. Still, I’ll never forget the tranquil, otherworldly calm of those three days suspended above the city—a memory that perfectly captures the essence of
Aman.
Happy traveling,
Shanea
12/11/2025
