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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, changing. Once, it was conveyed through gilded ceilings, unattainable price points, or overwhelming surprises. But today, those who understand true richness seek not an external “pressure,” but a sense of fulfillment that wells up from within. This is where sincerity, born from honest craftsmanship, asserts its presence. Furthermore, it is important that one’s stay carries a certain integrity towards the planet. “1 Hotel Tokyo,” opening 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 Behind the Name “1 Hotels”
1 Hotels began by posing a question to the hospitality industry. Its 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 on Miami’s South Beach and along 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 slated for Seattle, Melbourne in Australia, and Copenhagen in Denmark in 2025, solidifying its position as a global luxury hotel brand. Its quality is widely recognized within the industry, with some properties receiving MICHELIN Key certifications.
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,” handled by Mori Trust. Below, the greenery of the Imperial Palace Outer Garden unfolds, and the 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 that permeates the hotel is known as “biophilic design”—an approach that seeks to re-establish harmony between humans and nature, integrating natural beauty and warmth into the space. Upon entering the first-floor entrance, guests are greeted by an outdoor green wall. Ascending to the 38th-floor lobby, a vertical botanical installation envelops the view. A sculptural entrance, combining moss, recycled wood panels, and Oya stone from Tochigi Prefecture—a material famously used by Frank Lloyd Wright in his Japanese architecture—opens the door to an extraordinary experience from the moment of arrival.
Sand-textured wallpaper, hand-applied lime plaster finishes, 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 inspiring 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. Works of art made from preserved moss and recycled palettes, interiors by local artisans, 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 ornamentation.
The same philosophy extends to the dining experiences. The signature restaurant draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, interpreting the spirit of the French Riviera with a Tokyo sensibility. It transforms subtly from light fare during the day to a more international ambiance at night, 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,” selecting their own botanicals and vermouth to craft their martini. The “Neighbors Café,” open to both travelers and locals, elevates daily life with plant-based healthy cuisine and coffee brewed by artisans.
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 waste-free operations and catering with local ingredients, under the unique “Certified Sustainable Gatherings” program.
The spa offers holistic treatments that blend Japanese and Western traditions. The space, featuring five private rooms, a couple’s suite, and a hammam room, serves less as a stage for hospitality and more as a sanctuary for quiet self-rediscovery. The fitness area, named “The Field House,” is available 24 hours a day and is equipped with Technogym machines. Beyond the indoor pool, bathed in natural light, a planted deck extends, creating an environment enveloped in 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 an act of environmental integrity but also a message to guests. Staying here is not just about immersing oneself in a beautiful space; it brings a sense of being part of something larger than oneself. This is the essence of the luxury that 1 Hotel Tokyo seeks to embody.
Even without dazzling surprises or exorbitant prices, 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 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 total
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1 Hotel Tokyo
