When I returned to Singapore from Japan, I couldn’t stop raving about the spectacular experience I had at Hilton Tokyo. It was by far my most memorable hotel stay.
Hilton Tokyo resides in the west side of Shinjuku, an area home to Tokyo’s largest concentration of skyscrapers including several of the tallest buildings in Tokyo such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, KDDI Building and Park Tower.
Its close proximity to Shinjuku Station means easy access to restaurants, entertainment and shopping. The hotel multiplies the level of convenience by providing complimentary shuttle bus service to Shinjuku Station throughout the day.
Clustered within the bustling Shinjuku district are departmental stores, malls, boutiques, electronic shops and more.
Along the tracks northwest of Shinjuku Station is Omoide Yokocho (memory lane). The narrow lanes and alleys are filled with tiny eateries serving yakitori, ramen and more.
Return from a day of sightseeing, shopping and eating to the spacious and luxurious hotel room in Hilton Tokyo. The King JR Suite Executive, spanning across 474 square feet of space, is where I wallowed in.
The room includes a work desk, plush L-shaped sofa, Nespresso coffee-making facilities, ironing board, well-stocked mini refrigerator, 40-inch LCD TV, and large windows that overlook the tranquil side of the city. Executive rooms come with complimentary WiFi, and access to the Executive Lounge that provides breakfast and evening cocktails.
Work desk with adjustable lamp
Sleek bathroom design
Bathtub and handheld shower
All Hilton Hotels across the globe provide top-quality bath amenities by Peter Thomas Roth, an upscale skincare brand. I hardly ever use bath amenities provided by hotels –Hilton Hotel is one of the few exceptions. I would actually deliberately leave my own shower gel at home if I knew I was going to stay in a Hilton property, and make full use of the ones provided.
Hilton Fitness is worth a mention. Available exclusively for hotel guests, the fitness centre by PRECOR on the 5th floor features a heated indoor swimming pool, separate gymnastics and yoga area, 2 outdoor tennis courts, massage centre, and a traditional Japanese sauna, bath and relaxation zone.
Indoor swimming pool
Towels and headphones are provided
The main gym that operates 24 hours a day overlooks the lap-pool and the Tokyo skyline. It is fully equipped with free-weights and resistance equipment, and 35 PRECOR training machines featuring a personal entertainment LCD screen each.
The view from one of the exercise machines
If not for the time constraint, I’d love to work out with such a view everyday during my stay.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, some say. Begin the feastings at Hilton Tokyo’s Marble Lounge and fuel up for another exciting day of exploring.
Have you any clue what native Japanese eat for breakfast? Well you don’t have to visit the home of a local to find out. Check out the local breakfast station for enlightenment.
Porridge
Egg Station
Scrambled eggs
Omelette
The usual continental breakfast items are present.
Dim Sum
And more…
Restaurants spread across the 2nd floor, an expansive enclave that echoes the looks of a shopping arcade, except with a wide variety of dining options instead of retail outlets.
Sporting an elegant façade, Musashino is a deluxe Japanese restaurant that divides itself into several dining areas and private spaces for different types of Japanese cuisine, including a room catered to 3 Teppanyaki stations that seat 8 diners each, sushi counters, tempura counters, the main dining room that seat 48 diners, and 3 private tatami-style rooms.
Diners can order from the a la carte menu, or opt for a more exquisite dining experience with the personalised service offered by a Sushi, Tempura or Teppanyaki Chef.
For special occasions, let the in-house experts take charge of the menu.
Assorted Seasonal Delicacies
Fans of teppanyaki will also be able to enjoy other aspects of Japanese cuisine from appetisers to sashimi and sushi to tempura.
The quality of sashimi sets the benchmark of freshness and calibre of ingredients used in the restaurant. Arriving in Japan, one would unquestionably have high expectations for Japanese cuisine –at Musashino you won’t be disappointed.
Grilled prawn was first on our teppanyaki course. They arrive still alive, breathing and wriggling on the plate, formerly at the peak of good health.
These sizeable prawns are set on the hot teppanyaki grill, making their final wriggle before they turn from grey to orange.
To serve, succulent prawns are doused in a luscious sauce made of lobster, tomato puree and butter with a touch of white wine. Mop up the delicious sauce with crusty bread that’s served on the side.
Prawn heads do not go to waste –they’re left on the grill, flattened, and crisped up before serving.
Next up on the grill was a slab of Japanese wagyu sirloin steak.
It is grilled to a perfect medium rare doneness, with a perfect brown sear that seals in the juices.
Lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper and served along with garlic chips, the velvety meat is best savoured in this simplest form. For flavour enhancement, sauces are served on the side for dipping pleasures.
You can’t go wrong with their tempura items that are made using superlative ingredients.
Sushi – semi fatty tuna, flatfish, sea eel and tuna & cucumber roll
Red Miso Soup
I was expecting dessert to arrive from the main kitchen, ready for digging in, but Chef brings out fresh strawberries, plonks them in a pot with some butter and sugar and places it on the teppanyaki grill for caramelisation to take place.
He then sets it ablaze by adding a touch of alcohol –a dramatic closure to our phenomenal meal.
Musashino Japanese Restaurant
Hilton Tokyo 2F
Lunch: 11.30am – 3pm
Dinner: 5.30pm – 10pm
Guests staying in Executive Rooms gain exclusive access to the sleek Executive Lounge.
View from the Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge offers complimentary continental breakfast (6.30am – 10/11am), afternoon tea snacks (3pm – 5pm), and pre-dinner drinks and canapés (6pm – 8pm).
Canapés
Imbibe in a tipple or two over casual conversations before moving on to your next dining destination –dinner.
Singaporeans are no strangers to the appellation Checkers Brasserie. In Hilton Tokyo, the restaurant concept is similar –offering a wide buffet spread of Mediterranean food.
Scroll down for more pictures.
Salads and appetisers
Seafood salad
Scallop ceviche (this was one of the highlights for me!)
Freshly baked breads
Soup
Terrines
Crab
Paella
Beef Wellington
Over at the pasta station, customise your own pasta dish by choosing the pasta and sauce. They’re all cooked a la minute.
Risotto
Desserts are not-to-be-missed!
Checkers Brasserie
Hilton Tokyo 2F
Monday to Friday: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11am – 10pm
Hilton Tokyo offers a variety of cuisines under one roof, from Japanese (of course) to Mediterranean to Chinese, hence guests who are feeling a little weary or less adventurous at the moment to step out hunting for a meal can indulge in the comforts of the hotel.
For brilliantly executed Chinese cuisine that traverses the ‘East’ and reminds Chinese visitors of home, visit Dynasty.
Beijing Duck and Spicy Garlic Chicken
The crisp skin of the peking duck steals the show. If the chef didn’t come from a Chinese background himself, he must have done a whole lot of homework to yield such fine reproduction of the famous dish.
Sautéed Prawns and Giant Clam with XO Sauce
Check out that sizeable hunk of prawn! This umami-brimming dish setting the tone for a splendid evening.
Sautéed Beef Fillet with Black Pepper Sauce and Ginger Sauce
The Sautéed Beef Fillet with Black Pepper Sauce and Ginger Sauce is not exactly a conventional Chinese dish, but it sure tastes good with its endearing medium rare doneness. The coarsely chopped mushrooms provide an earthy contrasting touch to the meat.
Braised White Fish and Bean Curd with Red Pepper
The Braised White Fish and Bean Curd with Red Pepper might look intimidating with all that red chilli and pepper skirting around, but the fish itself inherits little, just the right amount of, spice for flavour rather than to ignite flames in the mouth.
Smoked Trout and Scallop with Green Sauce
The kitchen showcases its flair for modern Chinese fare in this dish.
Abalone, Chicken, Dried Scallop and Silk Mushroom in Clear Soup
For pure comfort food for the homesick, the flavourful soup is a must-have.
Noodle
The kitchen is adept in almost whatever you define Chinese food. Even a simple bowl of noodle emanates sophistication and charm.
My stay at Hilton Tokyo was nothing short of fantastic. Comfort and cleanliness levels are at their peaks, service is excellent across the board, and the dining scene is remarkable. They also have a wonderful dessert buffet that’s worth travelling across the globe for (read about my experience here). I would highly recommend Hilton Tokyo to business travellers, families, as well as couples, as the experience is highly personalised and caters to many occasions.
I would also like to express gratitude to the wonderful team at Hilton Tokyo for the wonderful birthday surprises for my partner.
For more information, visit http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/japan/hilton-tokyo-TYOHITW/index.html
Hilton Tokyo
160-0023, Shinjuku-Ku, 6-2 Nishi-Shinjuku 6-Chome, Japan
Tel: 81-3-3344-5111
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