Elevated Experience
Club members reflect on their stays at Toranomon Hills Residential Tower.
Setting new standards for luxuriously tasteful serviced apartments is part of the Mori Building mystique, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the Toranomon Hills Residential Tower.
The residence’s impressive design, full range of amenities and prime location in the center of Tokyo make it an ideal place for newcomers to Japan as well as longtime residents to call home.
Recently, three Club members had the opportunity to experience the serviced apartments for themselves, and they shared their impressions of their stays.
Hiro and Naho Hozumi found the location to be superb, as Hiro’s office is in Toranomon Hills. As soon as they set foot in the entrance of the property, they were impressed with its spacious style. The apartment itself was roomy, well furnished and featured a picture window with an expansive view of the Tokyo skyline, as well as a very large patio.
One highlight of their stay came on the first day: they both dropped in at the Toranomon Hills Spa, located within the tower, for a 60-minute, deep tissue massage. Both said that the service was outstanding during their treatments.
LOCATION AND CONVENIENCE
On the first evening, they had dinner at a Chinese restaurant in the neighboring Toranomon Hills Business Tower’s Yokocho. Hiro pointed out there were also a wide variety of options to be found outside the complex: “It’s in the middle of a lively neighborhood with a lot of different restaurants where you can eat. Yakitori, izakaya—you name it.”
The next day, they used the gym, which Hiro and Naho noted was appointed with a full range of equipment, from machines and treadmills to free weights. After a quick visit to Atago Shrine, which is just around the corner, they went shopping in nearby Ginza and had dinner there.
Recalling her weekend, Naho remarked that the staff’s service stood out: “They were very professional and kind, from the reception and restaurant staff to the massage therapists at the spa. We were extremely pleased.”
Both thought the serviced apartments would be ideal for themselves and business contacts. Hiro explained: “I have many visitors from overseas, and I’m considering renting a serviced apartment rather than having them stay at a hotel somewhere. This is convenient, has breakfast included and is right next to the office. I will be speaking to my HR department about it.”
The Hozumis have homes in the US and in Japan, but they are thinking about selling their home in Japan when Hiro retires and keeping a serviced apartment like one at Toranomon Hills Residential Tower for when they are back. “We’ve stayed in serviced apartments in Tokyo before, but this was much nicer.”
FOR WORK OR PLAY
Ed Thompson, who runs his own business, found himself working some of the time during his stay. That’s why one of the property’s amenities caught his eye: the Guest House on the 41st floor. “One of the first things that I noticed when I took my tour was the Guest House Living area, where you had several individuals who were using it as a work-from-home space or just a casual relaxation space. As an independent businessperson, this was something that stood out for me right away. It’s open from early in the morning until late at night and it overlooks Tokyo Tower, so it’s a very nice environment.”
On the first evening, Ed dropped in at the Yokocho, where he tried out three spots, noting the area’s refined take on the standard Japanese yokocho experience.
DINNER WITH A VIEW
For the second night of his stay, Ed had a group of six friends over for a catered dinner from Toranomon Hills Kitchen, the restaurant on the first floor of the tower. He said that his group, which included some foodies, raved about the quality of the tapas-style dishes that they enjoyed, which featured fresh produce from around Japan. The dining space’s roomy elegance put his guests at ease and set the stage for a memorable evening in the Guest House Dining space.
Ed has been living in Tokyo for many years, but even he found some new areas to explore around the apartment: “The neighborhood is fantastic. In some ways, it’s still relatively unexplored, even by long-term Tokyo residents.” He also came away from his stay with a new appreciation for the level of polish that went into the serviced apartments. “I’ve been to many Mori properties in Tokyo during my decades of time here, but this was my first time to really see how well they are produced. Just thinking about the attention to detail in my room, I found it phenomenal.”
He thought the Toranomon Hills Residential Tower could serve a wide range of tenants: “This could be perfect for casual business travelers, but I’d also recommend it to people who want to arrive and be able to settle in without any hassles—it’s a great option for companies who need to have employees based here for long stretches of time. It offers a hotel-level experience in a private residence. In terms of the ambiance, it’s top class—from the first floor all the way to the 41st floor.”
