Only two stops from Shimbashi on the quirky Yurikamome Line, or a six-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the Yamanote Line is the quaint port town of Takeshiba.
With spectacular views of the Sumida River and Tokyo Skytree, it is well worth the trip. It is no surprise that there are several hotels based in the area.
The jewel in the crown of these hotels is the mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection, which only opened two years ago in the spring of 2020. A rich and artistic collaboration between Marriott's Autograph Collection and East Japan Railway Company, mesm has become one of the most-sought after stays in the beating heart of the capital. With spacious balconies that look over the stunning Hamarikyu Gardens and unrivaled views of the riverside, port, and landmarks such as Tokyo Skytree, it is a genuine upscale and luxurious experience.
As expected, the luxurious rooms are spacious and exemplary clean with printed hotel information booklets eschewed for a neat tablet which does almost everything for you. The bathroom is a real treat and features a huge tub and a selection of bath salts to relax and reenergize visitors after days traipsing around the mammoth streets of Tokyo.
Guests are also treated to yukata-like pajamas which are suitable to be worn as bathrobes. The beautiful pianos, which are found in every room, also double up as bluetooth speakers, and the huge slim televisions have a range of international channels including CNN and BBC.
You will notice that the hotel staff are decked out in very fashionable black outfits as well. They wear an original uniform designed by Y's Bang On!—a label created by the acclaimed fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. These genderless uniforms, according to the hotel, represent "Tokyo Mode" style.
The hotel restaurant, Chef's Theatre, is unadulterated and pure drama which, in turn, pays homage to the nearby Shiki Theater. Some of the restaurant’s past themes include The Phantom of the Opera and The Wizard of Oz. The current concept, and running until February 28, 2023, is the remarkable Romeo and Juliet menu which can be enjoyed as either lunch or dinner. Inspired by Shakespeare's great tragedy, it is a real visual and gastronomic feast with the attentive servers explaining the reasoning behind each dish and its relevance to the Romeo and Juliet narrative.
Lunch: 11:30 - 15:00 (6,400 yen)
Dinner: 17:00 - 23:00 (12,800 yen)
Call: 03-5777-1111 or mail: reservation@mesm.jp
All in all, mesm is a real treat for families, couples, or those seeking a touch of luxury in their lives. With breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a hotel which engages with and listens to their guests, mesm is on its way to being considered a real institution in Tokyo's hospitality scene.
