REVIEW: MY LUXURY ESCAPE TO ANA INTERCONTINENTAL TOKYO’S NEW MIZU SUITE
When Tokyo reimagines itself, it does so with quiet precision and absolute confidence. After a meticulous 15-month renovation, the legendary ANA InterContinental Tokyo has emerged not simply refreshed, but reborn—designed for the discerning modern luxury traveler who seeks both the heartbeat of the city and the sanctuary of refined retreat.
It was through the gracious invitation of Sayaka Yamashita, ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s eloquent Public Relations Manager, that I was welcomed into one of their newest treasures: the Mizu Suite. My visit was more than just a stay; it was a window into the next chapter of a 35-year hospitality legacy, now written with 801 revitalized rooms, reimagined dining destinations, and a renewed promise—approachable luxury with an unmistakable Japanese soul.
Arrival: A Private Welcome Above the City
After a ten-hour flight from Doha and a languid ninety-minute journey from Narita Airport, Tokyo unfolded beneath my feet. I bypassed the bustle of the ground floor, ascending instead to the 35th floor Club InterContinental Lounge for a private check-in.
Here, tones of beige, cream, and warm browns enveloped me instantly—an atmosphere both luxuriant and calming. The space felt like a deep breath after the chaos of travel so many hours. It was in this moment, espresso macchiato in hand, that I realized: my Japan vacation had truly begun.
The Mizu Suite: A Study in Calm and Craft
Escorted to the 29th floor, I entered the Mizu Suite—part of a new suite collection that also includes the airy Sora Suites. Both blend traditional aesthetics with state-of-the-art amenities, but Mizu is the embodiment of serenity.
Large windows framed a panorama stretching over Tokyo’s diplomatic district. The suite itself was a masterclass in thoughtful luxury: origami-inspired wall motifs that whispered of tradition without overwhelming the modern design, echoing the delicate silhouette of cherry blossoms and living and sleeping areas spacious enough to breathe, yet intimate enough to cocoon. The concept of unfolding Tokyo was palpable here—design choices that reveal themselves slowly, much like the city itself.
Location: The Luxury of Connection
The ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s Akasaka address is a gift. An underground network of polished tunnels connects the hotel directly to the metro—an entire subterranean city that feels like Tokyo’s private circulatory system. Above ground, the Imperial Palace is a short stroll away; Tokyo Tower, Azabudai Hills, and the ever-photogenic teamLab museum are all within a twenty-minute walk.
And Akasaka itself? Alive with the rhythm of neighborhood restaurants, bars, and small galleries—Tokyo at its most cosmopolitan yet charming.
Morning Light and the Perfect Sleep
There is a reason Japan is called the Land of the Rising Sun. At 6 AM, light streamed through my suite’s windows so brightly it felt like 10 AM in Europe.
I am not a traveller who easily adjusts to new time zones, but here, the bed—with its 800-thread-count cotton sheets and pillows that seemed engineered for perfect neck support—delivered a rare gift: a flawless night’s sleep from my very first night.
My mornings began with a ritual: a Tokyo Lungo coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine, fifteen minutes of quiet gratitude meditation, and an unhurried gaze over a city that can feel overwhelming at first, but inevitably draws you into its rhythm.
Breakfast at the Club InterContinental
For guests of the suites or rooms with Club access, breakfast is served at the Club InterContinental Lounge—exclusive, tranquil, and personalized.
I always began with an egg white omelet à la carte, complemented by a buffet that surprised with its healthy options and intriguing varieties of honey I had never encountered before. Guests inclined toward Japanese tradition could enjoy a breakfast that resembled a mini-kaiseki, complete with sushi and delicate side dishes.
The espresso macchiato here is worth mentioning twice—prepared with Italian finesse but served with the precision of Japanese hospitality.
A Second Breakfast: The Cascade Cafe
One morning, I traded exclusivity for scale and visited the Cascade Cafe, which has been reinvented as a global culinary journey. Here, dishes from many countries are brought to life at interactive cooking stations—a small theatre of sizzling woks, aromatic ovens, and skilled hands.
The highlight? Hokkaido ice cream at breakfast. Japan’s northernmost island produces what many consider the best milk in the country (and perhaps the world), and this ice cream—soft, impossibly creamy—could rival even the most decadent Italian gelato.
Atrium Lounge: Afternoon Indulgence
The Atrium Lounge has also been reborn, now embracing a refreshed concept where timeless elegance meets flexible dining for every occasion.
Its seasonal afternoon tea is almost a cultural event in itself—when I visited, the all-matcha menu was drawing a crowd of impeccably dressed young women, likely trading secrets and laughter over delicate confections. Come August, the menu pivots entirely to peach, celebrating Japan’s sweetest summer fruit.
The Coffee Purists’ Haven
One morning, I met Sayaka at the Brewer’s Coffee & Bar on the third floor—a temple to the bean, serving single-origin varieties from across the world. The baristas here are as knowledgeable (and perhaps more precise) than any I’ve met in Italy, treating each pour like a private ceremony.
Art in Motion
Another subtle delight: the lobby walls transform into a rotating art gallery. During my stay, I discovered the work of Takeuchi Yoshihiro, whose paintings reinterpret the Japanese puzzle game Puyo Puyo through playful rhythm and color. This was no static hotel decoration—it was living, evolving culture.
The Expanded Club InterContinental Experience
The Club Lounge now spans two floors—35 and 36—inspired by the serenity of a Japanese garden. The design subtly nods to the tea ceremony: calm, deliberate, harmonious.
For suite guests and any Club InterContinental rooms guests, the privileges elevate the entire stay:
- Private breakfast with à la carte and buffet options
- All-day refreshments, including artisanal teas and coffee drinks made to order
- Afternoon tea service (during my visit, matcha was the reigning theme)
- Evening cocktails from 17:30, transforming the lounge into a sophisticated social space
This is not merely an upgrade; it is a shift from business travel to boutique luxury retreat.
A Legacy Renewed
For more than 35 years, ANA InterContinental Tokyo has been an anchor of international hospitality in Japan’s capital. Now, with this complete transformation, it has repositioned itself for the next generation of global travelers—those who want authentic Japanese design, culinary diversity, and seamless access to the city, without sacrificing comfort or personal space.
From the Mizu Suite’s tranquil views to the gastronomic adventures within the hotel’s walls, my stay felt like stepping into a Tokyo that understands its own essence—modern yet steeped in heritage, bold yet refined.
Conclusion: A Tokyo State of Mind
Leaving the Mizu Suite was harder than I expected. I had arrived weary, slightly disoriented from the flight and time change. I left renewed, the city’s energy humming through me but balanced by the calm the hotel so effortlessly cultivates.
The ANA InterContinental Tokyo is not just where you stay—it becomes how you experience the city. It gives you a lens through which Tokyo feels more accessible, more layered, and, somehow, more your own.
And if the Mizu Suite is any indication, the future of this storied hotel will be defined by one thing: not simply keeping pace with Tokyo, but setting the rhythm.
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