With the ongoing global health situation making travel difficult, there are still ways to find a powerful antidote to stressful daily life! If long-distance travel isn't an option, shift your gaze vertically, towards the sky. Tokyo's cityscape from a high floor offers a different perspective than usual. Surrounded by such magnificent views, your everyday desk work is sure to gain a boost in motivation. As you know, in anticipation of the Tokyo Olympics, many premium hotels have opened or been renovated in high-rise buildings. Now is the perfect time to experience these brand-new environments! Before inbound tourism fully returns, why not gift yourself a safe and secure vacation right here in Tokyo?

The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo, directly connected to JR Shinagawa Station, is in its 18th year. While it's a long-established high-rise hotel in Tokyo, it underwent a full renovation just two years ago, leaving its guest rooms and common facilities sparkling new. Moreover, its advantage as a relatively small property for a five-star hotel, with 203 rooms in total, contributes to its reputation for attentive service.

Frankly, this hotel is perfect for a staycation. The views from the guest rooms on floors 27 through 32 are simply the best. At this height in Shinagawa, the perspective is just right. Rooms facing the city center have no buildings obstructing the view. And since it's not too far from the ground, you can still make out the details of the city.

The room we covered for this feature was Club Room 3211. Just look at this grand panorama. You have an exclusive, wide-open view stretching from the Sony headquarters to Tokyo Tower throughout your stay. This is thanks to the luxurious design with floor-to-ceiling windows. The building, designed in the early 2000s, truly embodies the spirit of that era. The view, which surpasses its class, is practically suite-level!

And be sure to opt for a room with Club Lounge access. With only about a quarter of the hotel's rooms offering this, it's not as difficult to secure as you might think. The Club Lounge at The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo, is packed with dining events, including breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails.

If you can arrive at the hotel during the "Afternoon Tea" hours of 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, you're incredibly lucky. Check-in is handled at the Club Lounge, allowing you to proceed with the process in a relaxed manner while reaching for the afternoon tea stand. What's more, this complimentary afternoon tea is elegantly presented on a stand, rather than served buffet-style. Coupled with the hotel's original flavored tea (a welcome drink) – chamomile with a hint of yuzu – and a full range of cafe menus, you'll find yourself wanting to try them all.

And then, "Evening Cocktails" begin at 5:30 PM (until 7:30 PM). Each guest receives a beautifully arranged plate of perfectly sized appetizers, which are truly delicious! It's a delightful way to sample a bit of everything from the hotel's various restaurants, featuring Italian, Japanese, and Chinese influences. The idea is to entice you to visit the restaurants later. Additionally, there's a buffet selection of cheeses, prosciutto, and fruits – not heavy carbs, but rather a sophisticated array of pre-dinner treats. This adult-oriented approach is characteristic of The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo.

Normally, alcoholic beverages are also free-flowing during this time, but due to the state of emergency, only soft drinks are available. However, you can request one alcoholic drink to be delivered to your room by 7:15 PM. While your room has a minibar, it would be a shame not to take advantage of this complimentary offer.

Returning to the room, the newly renovated guest rooms feature a calming palette of beige and brown, exuding the chic atmosphere characteristic of InterContinental. What's particularly wonderful is that the desk faces the window. This is extremely important, so I'll say it again: the desk faces the window, and it feels incredibly good! The view supports your motivation and prevents your concentration from wavering. Your usual desk work becomes a pleasure. This memory becomes your greatest souvenir. Therefore, we highly recommend dedicating time to work during your staycation.

For those who enjoy listening to music while working, a Bluetooth speaker is provided. This is also very important. Poor sound quality can prevent you from getting into the zone, but at The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo, the acclaimed BOSE SoundLink Mini creates a sufficiently immersive soundscape around your desk.

For a break, use the in-room Nespresso machine. Popular limited edition flavors like "Tokyo Vivace Lungo" and the decaffeinated "Voluto Decaffeinato" are available. Additionally, the green tea is a unique hotel blend. The welcome bean snacks are perfect for warding off mid-work hunger.

A short nap on the king-sized bed is a luxury rarely experienced. Beyond your eyelids lies a bustling metropolis in full swing. It's a slightly illicit pleasure. Of course, deep sleep is reserved for the night. For now, it's time to push through and savor the sense of accomplishment from getting work done!

Now, let's work up a sweat between tasks. The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo's 24-hour fitness room is a premium space exclusively for hotel guests. Since they don't solicit fitness memberships, it rarely gets crowded. While there's no pool or sauna, if those aren't priorities for you, the comfort of The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo's fitness room is among the best hotel gyms. In this era of heightened hygiene concerns, limiting access is a valuable feature. And don't worry if you forget your workout wear or shoes – rentals are available free of charge.

After returning from the fitness room, head to your in-room bath. After your bath, wind down the day with a drink from the minibar. You can watch TV or surf the internet, but the main event is the panoramic night view. Enjoying this while sipping from the minibar is the true pleasure. The chilled white wine is a Burgundy Chardonnay, possessing a rich fruitiness reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc, yet with the crisp finish characteristic of Chardonnay. When indulging yourself, quality is paramount over quantity.

And then, the next morning. The reason for sleeping more deeply than usual must be the hotel's high-quality mattress and the luxury of using two pillows. I didn't wake up once during the night and awoke with the morning sun. To sustain this wonderful feeling, breakfast is an optional extra in your room. You can request it for any time up until midnight.

Wearing a mask is mandatory for breakfast buffets. While it's a shared necessity, it can be quite bothersome in the morning. With room service, that inconvenience is naturally eliminated. Moreover, the entire desk is brought in, making for a swift setup in your room. The absence of masks brings such a sense of freedom! This service restores the normalcy we took for granted before the pandemic.

In conclusion, a "staycation" is highly effective right now. Please allow yourself to be healed in the luxurious environment of a hotel, as you are likely more exhausted than you realize. The key is the view from your room. There's no need to do anything extraordinary; just do your usual work, break a sweat at the fitness center, and go about your day as you normally would. This elevated "usual" will lead to a greater sense of peace of mind.

The Strings by InterContinental, Tokyo
Address: 26F, Shinagawa East One Tower, 2-16-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Room Rates: Club Room from ¥47,000
(Per person, per room. Tax and service charge included. Includes Club Lounge access)