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February 24, 2026
What is a Sustainable Luxury Hotel? | 1 Hotel Tokyo reveals a new form of fulfilling space.
TRAVEL|1 Hotel Tokyo
The meaning of the word “luxury” is quietly, yet surely, shifting. Once, it was conveyed through gilded ceilings, unattainable price points, or overwhelming surprise. But today, those who understand true richness seek not an external “pressure,” but a sense of fulfillment that wells up from within. Here, objects born from sincere craftsmanship assert their presence. Furthermore, it is important that one’s stay holds a certain integrity towards the planet. “1 Hotel Tokyo,” set to open in early March 2026 in Akasaka, Tokyo, is a place that embodies this new definition of luxury as a spatial experience.
Text by TSUCHIDA Takashi
The Philosophy Encoded in the Name “1 Hotels”
1 Hotels began by posing a question to the hospitality industry. The founder, Barry Sternlicht, championed a simple yet profound philosophy: “Travelers of the world should cherish that world.” The brand name “1” refers to the one Earth—“One World.”
The brand’s journey commenced in 2015 with the opening of its first two properties along Miami’s South Beach and New York’s Central Park. Subsequently, it expanded to Brooklyn, West Hollywood, Toronto, San Francisco, and Nashville. In 2023, it opened its flagship hotel in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii, and its first European outpost in London’s Mayfair. Further locations are planned for Seattle, Melbourne in Australia, and Copenhagen in Denmark by 2025, solidifying its position as a global luxury hotel brand. Its high quality is widely recognized within the industry, with some properties receiving MICHELIN Key distinctions.
1 Hotel Tokyo is situated on floors 38 to 43 of the Akasaka Trust Tower, within the next-generation mixed-use development “Tokyo World Gate Akasaka,” spearheaded by Mori Trust. Below, the greenery of the Imperial Palace Outer Garden unfolds, while Tokyo Tower and the city skyline paint the view. As the core of a development centered around a vast 5,600㎡ green space, the hotel’s very existence poses a question to the city: How close can people get to nature within an urban environment?
The design philosophy permeating the hotel is known as “biophilic design.” This concept seeks to re-establish harmony between humans and nature, integrating the beauty and warmth of the natural world into the space. Upon entering the first-floor lobby, guests are greeted by an outdoor green wall. Ascending to the 38th-floor lobby, a vertical botanical installation envelops the senses. Sculptural elements combining moss, panels of reclaimed wood, and Oya stone from Tochigi Prefecture—a material famously used by Frank Lloyd Wright in his Japanese architectural endeavors—open the door to an extraordinary experience from the moment of arrival.
Sand-textured wallpaper, hand-finished plaster, and lines of gravel along the walls—every detail within the hotel evokes the tranquility of Japanese mountain streams and wilderness. The lounge, inspired by Zen philosophy, features a stone and gravel garden, where the aesthetic of wabi-sabi quietly resides amidst refinement. CEO Raul Leal states, “Tokyo has been an incredibly stimulating canvas for creating spaces that blend beauty and sustainability.” His words are etched into every corner of this hotel.
Each of the 211 guest rooms is like a small art gallery. Artworks made from preserved moss and recycled palettes, interiors crafted by local artisans, and carefully selected greenery—all are products of human hands and intention, not mass production. Furthermore, 24 suites, including three penthouses, offer views of the Tokyo skyline and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden. This is a tranquil retreat that trusts in the power of quality materials, rather than excessive embellishment.
The same philosophy flows through the dining experiences. The signature restaurant draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, interpreting the spirit of the French Riviera through a Tokyo sensibility. It transforms its ambiance from light and airy during the day to cosmopolitan in the evening, while the aperitif bar offers a selection of spritzes and cocktails. At the Lobby Lounge & Bar, the focus is on a gin library featuring 50 botanical varieties from around the world and Japan, where guests can experience the “Signature Martini Ritual,” crafting their own martinis by selecting their preferred botanicals and vermouth. At “Neighbors Café,” open to both travelers and locals, healthy, plant-focused cuisine and coffee brewed by artisans elevate the everyday.
The practice of minimizing waste and meticulously utilizing seasonal and local ingredients is not merely a trend but a manifestation of the brand’s core integrity. Even event spaces achieve sustainable gatherings through their unique “Certified Sustainable Gatherings” program, which ensures zero-waste operations and catering with local ingredients.
The spa offers holistic treatments that fuse Japanese and Western traditions. With five private rooms, a couple’s suite, and a hammam room, it serves not as a stage for hospitality, but as a sanctuary for quiet self-rediscovery. The fitness area, named “The Field House,” is accessible 24 hours a day and equipped with Technogym machines. Beyond the indoor pool, bathed in natural light, a planted deck extends, allowing time to flow amidst greenery and light, even in the heart of the city.
Fulfillment: The New Luxury
The operational goal of reusing 90% of waste is not only a commitment to the environment but also a message to guests. Staying here offers more than just immersion in a beautiful space; it fosters a sense of being part of something larger than oneself. This is the essence of the luxury that 1 Hotel Tokyo seeks to embody.
Without dazzling surprises or exorbitant price tags, people can find deep satisfaction. The textures of natural materials, the craftsmanship of artisans, a tranquility that connects one to the earth—when these elements accumulate, a stay becomes a form of experiential testimony.
1 Hotel Tokyo presents a clear answer to the question of luxury, directly from the heart of Tokyo.
1 Hotel Tokyo
Location: 2-17-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Akasaka Trust Tower 38F-43F)
Opening: Early March 2026
Number of Rooms: 211
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1 Hotel Tokyo
