New Tokyo Hotel Expansions Focus On Spa Facilities

Two long-established Tokyo hotels, the Tokyo Prince and Hotel Okura, just completed major expansions with luxurious elements designed to keep them competitive with the many new upscale international hotels opening across the city. The new additions heavily emphasize spa and relaxation facilities and are designed to bring an atmosphere of serenity not usually associated with hotels in bustling central Tokyo.

"More international hotels are opening in Tokyo that are bringing the North American spa concept with them," said Marian Goldberg, spokesperson for the Japan National Tourist Organization in New York. "This is prompting a reaction among the existing hotels in a city where hotel spa facilities are not the norm."

Opened April 11, the 673-room Tokyo Prince Hotel Park Tower has as all the elements of a self-contained hotel, but is considered part of the same complex as the 484-room Tokyo Prince Hotel. The two buildings are separated by the wide grounds of the Zojoji Temple, but linked by shuttle buses.

There also are marked differences between the two structures, with the Park Tower designed for higher-end customers, according to Horoko Iwata, Los Angeles-based regional sales director for Prince Hotels. "The Park Tower is targeting upscale corporate and leisure customers, the same clientele as Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton," she said. "Rates are considerably higher than at the Tokyo Prince, which is for people who want a first-class property, but not at the top of the scale."

Located a short walk from Tokyo Tower, the new Park Tower is on a 9.3-acre site that is part of Shiba Park. "We've taken advantage of the park location by putting balconies on about half the rooms, an unusual feature in Tokyo," Iwata said. "Because there are no high-rises blocking the views, there is a sense of tranquility and of getting away from the crowd."

The relaxation concept is enhanced by a full-service spa that includes a hot spring bath, massage center, saunas, steam facilities, indoor swimming pool, salon, aerobics room and gym. "The new international hotels coming in will have spas, but we are still at the forefront of this in Tokyo," said Iwata.

The spa concept also extends to guest rooms, which feature Jacuzzi bathtubs and separate showers. The rooms are also appointed with LCD flat-screen TVs and high-speed Internet access. The Park Tower's 32nd floor offers luxury suites with butler service.

Meeting facilities, which include 14 conference rooms, are designed for small to midsize corporate meetings. Function space also includes five banquet rooms with such features as Baccarat crystal chandeliers. The Park Tower also offers 14 restaurants and lounges, including a Japanese steakhouse and French restaurant.

Despite an increase in new hotel supply, particularly at the top end, Iwata said the Park Tower is opening at a favorable time. "Business travel has rebounded in Tokyo, with corporate meetings really coming back strong," she said. "Some meetings that were postponed because of the SARS epidemic have been rescheduled. There's been a rebound in leisure business as well, partly because of the strong euro. Japan is no longer perceived as the most expensive destination."

However, Iwata added that "the hotel climate in Tokyo will be very competitive for a while." Perhaps reflecting this is the fact that the Park Tower currently offers introductory rates of about $230 per night, including breakfast. Nightly rack rates eventually will start at about $340, Iwata said.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Okura in March unveiled its Grand Comfort Floor. Located in the main building, the centerpiece of the new space is the Relaxation Nature Court, a spa offering jet baths, stone therapy, jet lag rejuvenation programs, meditation room, oxygen bar, mist saunas and other features. The Grand Comfort Floor also includes guest rooms featuring extra large bathrooms equipped with massage showers.

Nightly rack rates for Grand Comfort Floor guest rooms range from $420 to $530, which includes admission to the spa. Guests staying elsewhere in the hotel can use the spa for a daily fee of about $12.

"We know spas are very big in North America," a Hotel Okura spokesperson said, "and with so many new hotels such as Hyatt and Four Seasons opening in Tokyo, we have to keep up with them."