The mesm Tokyo combines grand architecture and sprawling views with small, personal touches. From the staff to the incredible cocktail menu, everything at the hotel is presented immaculately. The convenient location is a short walk from Tokyo’s vast subway network meaning you’re never far from world class attractions, restaurants and stunning views.
Hotel
Tucked away in the beating heart of Japan’s capital, the mesm Tokyo is one of the city’s newest and best finds. The area it inhabits, once the Minamoto docklands, has been transformed into a modern entertainment complex meaning there is much to do on your doorstep.
The first thing that strikes you upon entering the hotel, after passing the immaculately dressed door staff and travelling several floors up in the lift, is the view – one of the best my guest and I had seen during our time in Tokyo.
The floor-to-ceiling windows made it difficult to resist dumping our bags and pressing ourselves up against the glass. The hotel’s manager and his helpful team of staff welcomed us warmly, making sure we had everything we needed and even things we didn’t know we needed. On our first night, this would include a world-class violinist performing in the hotel bar.
Room
As is the case with most Japanese hotels, our suitcases were waiting for us as we entered our new sleekly furnished home. Just like the downstairs foyer, the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows immediately fixed our attention, framing the panoramic view of Tokyo’s city lights.
The room itself was the epitome of luxury. Centre stage was an enormous bed with silk sheets, overlooked by a grand bathroom with glass walls so guests can enjoy those same stunning views from the bathtub.
Each room comes equipped with a Casio electric keyboard which also doubles up as a speaker, it’s a quirky touch, but ensures all guests can soundtrack their stay on the keys or via playlists. Like the best luxury Japanese hotels, the room came stocked with self-care products, bathing robes and slippers.
Each of the mesm’s room have their own balcony space, offering – you guessed it – even better panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline, which we enjoyed just as much with our morning coffees as we did our evening glasses of wine.
Food and drink
We opted for a casual dinner in the bar area, as opposed to either of the mesm’s two formal restaurant options; the stunning French bistronomy-style open kitchen, and Teppan-yaki restaurant serving ‘Miyazaki beef’ (Japanese black beef).
The bar had a relaxed lounge vibe, and we soon settled into an incredible violin performance while we ate. There are few things that indicate the utmost luxury and this was one of them. The bar itself was stylish and sophisticated and, as I’ve highlighted several times, was surrounded by the twinkling skyline. Just as impressive was the menu of cocktails, all inspired by works of art.
It’s an understatement to say the drinks we were presented with were fit for Tokyo’s finest gallery. The first cocktail was produced from under a glass lid in a thick plume of mist – an ode to the French Revolution, wrapped in its own golden cape, a French flag poking out of the top.
The second, inspired by Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, was served in a plant pot with two edible flowers sprouting from it. Both left a delicious and potent tingle on our tongues, and the food which followed was rich and full of flavour. If you’re a steak lover, you can’t go wrong with the mesm’s offering.
Breakfast the next morning featured a delicious buffet of both Western and Eastern foods. We opted for an omelette, made to our instruction by a smartly dressed chef, as well as an array of pastries and Japanese specialities like miso salmon and roasted pineapple pork.
To do
The mesm is within walking distance from one iconic landmark of the city, the Tokyo Tower. At 333 metres-high, it is the world’s tallest, self-supported steel tower, but you’d be forgiven for thinking the giant metal structure is smaller than its French cousin – Eiffel – given the Tokyo Tower is dwarfed in size by its skyscraper neighbours. It is in fact three inches taller.
The nearby Hamarikyu Gardens are well worth a visit too. A former Imperial Garden, the tranquil public park on the site of a 17th-century Shogun villa is an oasis of calm against the magnificent rising steel and glass backdrop of the city.
But a special mention goes to the teamLab Planets immersive art exhibition, situated in the heart of the docks. Despite our exhaustion after a morning of travel, we couldn’t help but be overcome with wonder at what greeted us there. Bare foot and with trousers rolled up to knees, your senses are transported room by room, through lukewarm water, glittering lights and haunting birdsong. The only drawback was the inevitable overcrowding of such a popular attraction, which took the shine off – but only slightly.
In a nutshell
mesm Tokyo boasts stunning city views and luxurious rooms with quirky touches. From its world-class evening entertainment to self-care amenities and creative cocktails, every detail is impeccable.
The convenient location puts you steps from sights like the Tokyo Tower and the view offers you the ultimate sight of all. It’s fair to say the mesm gave us the perfect snapshot of the city and is well worth a visit.
Factbox
Address: mesm Hotel Tokyo, 2-1-8 Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81 3-6661-0710
Website: mesm.jp
