Hyatt Regency Tokyo: A Beautiful Stay in the Heart of the Capital

It’s rare when visiting or living in Tokyo to find a genuine peaceful oasis. For all that Tokyo is a majestic city, and it very much is, there are very few benches, parks or areas that give people a touch of respite compared, perhaps, with other capitals in the world.

The Shinjuku district of Tokyo is well known as one of the world’s most boisterous districts, however, it does, conversely, have a few ideal and tranquil locations to relax and take stock.

Hyatt Regency Tokyo is one such destination situated in Shinjuku. A few minutes walk from the major train and bus stations, and directly across from the Tokyo Metropolitan buildings, this hotel has a multitude of advantages including some of the best views of the world’s most beloved city. An established institution since its opening in 1980, Hyatt Regency Tokyo has recently completed the renovation of 90% of its guest rooms and a new studio category which caters more towards families of four.

According to the hotel’s representatives:

“To reflect the unique identity of ‘Shinjuku,’ each renovated guest room features custom-made wall coverings created using traditional Shinjuku dyeing techniques. This artisanal detail pays homage to the area’s rich history — once a thriving hub of numerous dye workshops that flourished along the banks of the Kanda River, where water-based dyeing methods evolved over time. The shimmering surface of the river is captured in delicate shades of blue, gray, and light blue, creating a wall installation that feels more like an art piece than a design element — adding a layer of natural tranquility into the heart of the city.”

Voyapon recently had the opportunity to visit the newly renovated and reinvigorated Hyatt Regency Tokyo. With pretty much unparalleled views of Shinjuku and the greater expanse of Tokyo itself, and delicious cuisine at the hotel’s stunning Nineteen Eighty Lounge and Bar, Hyatt Regency Tokyo has really evolved and can be considered a truly reenergized addition to the capital hospitality scene.

The views from the renovated rooms are stunning. Looking out onto the city, with the kaleidoscopic hues of greenery of Shinjuku Park and then the multitude of mini cities that fill the frame of the window, it’s something to behold. The room, with two televisions, showing CNN and BBC, alongside terrestrial channels, were perfect for my stay. A huge stand alone bath, sizable walk-in closet, bathroom and pretty much every amenity and facility that you would require from a modern-day hotel room are present and makes for an ideal stay. Before dinner, I lay my head down on the very comfortable bay seats and gazed out to a city I thought I knew well, but from this view and perspective, didn’t know at all. And this made me very happy indeed as it forced me, after dinner, to go out and explore and see the capital through a totally different lens.

After a brief respite, I head downstairs to the gorgeous and opulent Nineteen Eighty Lounge and Bar for a spot of dinner and some drinks. I order a very fine Quiche Lorraine followed by the Tokyo Akikawa Beef cheeseburger replete with aged cheddar, local tomato relish, lettuce, and red onion inside a sesame bun. With a few glasses of champagne and a very fine mojito, my night came to a fantastic and soothing coda. The service was impeccable, never intrusive but very thoughtful, which is the ideal combination.

Retiring to my room to have a few drinks and observe the neon and dappling lights of this glittering cityscape, it forced me to re-evaluate my adopted home. Sure, it’s an urban Disneyland, a fashion paradise and capitalist dream, but it’s also home to millions of people who dream of tranquility and peace. And as I sat in my room at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, I achieved an element of calmness, as I looked upon the city below and the multitudes of people and possibilities that the capital holds in its hands.

Anthony Bourdain once said, about Tokyo, “You hear about it. You go see it. A whole window opens up into a whole new thing. And you think, What does this mean? What do I have left to say? What do I do now?

Welcome to Tokyo. You are not invited. This is the other Tokyo.”

And he was right. Follow the paths, your instinct, get lost in the backstreets, make new friends, and then make your way back to the Hyatt Regency for respite, relaxation, and rewards.