Imperial Hotel Tokyo

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The Imperial Hotel Tokyo has been been welcoming guests for more than a century. The elegant hotel tower is close to the sophisticated shopping of the Ginza District and the Tokyo Station rail hub, right in the heart of one of the world's great cities. While the hotel is known for its hospitality and strategic location, it's also gained fame for its heritage as a Frank Lloyd Wright hotel in Tokyo.

The roots of the hotel go back to the last decade of the nineteenth century when a wooden building was built on this plot of land in the center of town. In the 1920s, famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to overhaul the original. As one Wright's few buildings outside of America, the hotel quickly gained the attention of local residents and travelers alike. As happened to many pre-war buildings, the Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel in Tokyo lost its luster as the years passed.

A new hotel, the one that stands today, was built in 1968. Because of the historical significance and connection to Wright, some of the building was preserved and moved to the Museum Meiji-Mura. This open-air architecture museum features some 60 historical structures from the past. On self-guided tours, you'll be able to see everything from a lighthouse and hospital to steam engines and a tea house. These buildings, along with the original lobby and front facade from the spectacular hotel, are a two-hour rail ride from the current Imperial Hotel Tokyo.

Even though the main design has changed since the glory days of the Frank Lloyd Wright hotel in Tokyo, the commitment to providing a top level of hospitality remains unchanged. The current hotel tower offers an array of rooms and suites spread throughout the 17-story main building and the 31-story Imperial tower. In total, the complex includes just under 1,000 guestrooms and lovely grounds are filled with gardens. There's also ample spaces for weddings and special events; even a chapel is found onsite.

Whether you're visiting for a night or an extended vacation, the hotel will be able to meet your needs. Guests of the Imperial Hotel will find a wide array of things to do without leaving the complex. Computer workstations and conference rooms will be of particular interest to business travelers, while leisure travelers will enjoy the shopping, tea house, and the indoor pool where a glass roof lets in a lot of light. A fitness center is available for use 24 hours a day, so whenever you have the urge and the time, you can get in a good workout.

As expected at luxury hotels, the guestrooms mix comfort and elegance. You'll enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city even as you're enjoying the views from your window. The rooms at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, decorated with warm colors and contemporary furnishings, all come with complimentary high-speed Internet access. Upgrades to the deluxe rooms and suites will give you access to even more space and amenities.