In the Shiodome District of Tokyo, a hotel in the sky called Park Hotel Tokyo stands. The hotel begins on the 25th floor of a building in the heart of this iconic city, just a few steps from the Ginza Six shopping plaza. The views from the top are breathtaking, with a clear view of Tokyo Tower and, on a clear day, even Mt. Fuji. If you’re looking for a mid-tier budget hotel that still has an element of luxury, this one is a strong contender.

THE PROPERTY

As mentioned, the hotel starts on the 25th floor of the building, which at first, to me, was a bit strange, but after some time in Tokyo, you come to find this quite normal for hotels in the area to start at the top half of a building, and it also makes it so all the rooms have a great view. When you walk into the building, you take the elevator straight up to the 25th floor, where the receptionist greets you in an expansive lobby area. The first thing you will notice when you walk in is all the art. They call themselves an “Art Hotel in the Sky,” and it definitely lives up to its name. On each floor, you will find an art gallery featuring works by Japanese artists, as well as art adorning the hallways. Not only can you browse the art, but you can also purchase it. I thought that was genius and serves as a great souvenir from your trip. Every corner you turn, there is something new and interesting; it really is like you are staying in an art gallery. In the lobby, they change the theme per season, based on the time of year. We visited in late November, so we were there for their winter Exhibit, which runs from November 17 to February 23. Also in the lobby is a lounge area overlooking the Tokyo skyline, offering sweeping views. You have a clear view of the Tokyo Tower and can even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day. There is an area where you can get water all day, and by the lounge, you can purchase alcoholic drinks served in the evening while you sit and enjoy the view. It’s a great place to watch the sun set over Tokyo. There is also a restaurant on the lobby floor. The staff was cordial and helpful for whatever we needed.

THE ROOM

The hotel offers a variety of room options, but perhaps the most unique are floors 31 and 32, which are "art rooms." The hotel does its own version of Artist in Residence, which they call Artist in Hotel, where artists stay in the hotel and transform the rooms by painting unique murals on the walls, completely immersing you in their art. This also allows each room to be exceptional, offering its own experience and story. Our room was called "Festival," created by Japanese artist Nanami Ishihara. The room was so fun and whimsical, with every wall surface painted in vibrant colors, bursting with life, just like a festival. Our kids loved playing eye spy in our room and spotting fun things painted throughout. We also had a nice view of the bay. The room housed a queen bed and was on the smaller side, which is typical for Tokyo. It worked for two people max, and preferably if you are a couple. What a treat it was to be surrounded by art every day. The fact that each artist's room is different really lets you have a unique experience at the hotel. We had a second room on the 30th floor, which was more traditional. It had three single beds and large windows along the back wall, showcasing the never-ending skyline of Tokyo. Though the walls were not adorned with art, the room was cozy, spacious, and beautiful. They, of course, have the standard bathroom situation in Tokyo with a heated toilet and bidet, which never gets old (a heated toilet is glorious). If you are a larger party, you may need to book a more traditional room, but if you have the chance to try an Artist Room, I highly recommend it.

THE FOOD

We ordered room service the first night because we had just landed after a 24-hour travel day and were in no state to venture out to find food. Not every hotel in Tokyo offers room service, so this was a lovely treat. The hotel makes it super easy to order by scanning a QR code, and then you can order right on your phone. The menu is limited, but we are all able to find something to eat. You're not getting gourmet meals from room service, but the food was good and did the trick. In the morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, which you can add on for a fee. I recommend doing this if you are traveling with small children, because finding breakfast every morning can easily become a task, especially for a family. The breakfast offers a buffet of fresh foods, from baked goods and cereals to some traditional Japanese dishes, as well as menu options. I appreciated that they had a vegan option, which I later learned is tough to find in Tokyo. Perhaps our favorite part of breakfast was the pancake station with automated pancakes. You wave your hand, and it starts to make a pancake right in front of you. The kids really got a kick out of it. The breakfast was good and a great way to start the day.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The hotel is located in the Shiodome district, right next to Ginza, a more posh neighborhood in Tokyo. Just an 8-minute walk away, you will find plenty of luxury shopping, including Ginza Six, an iconic shopping center in Tokyo. There you will find an array of high-end designers throughout the entire mall. The top floor offers an assortment of food options from Western foods to Japanese cuisines, as well as a large bookstore, Tsutaya Books, where you could seriously spend hours browsing. On the basement level you will find an assortment of fancy sweet treats from different vendors. We got some macarons and they were so delicious with exciting flavors like strawberry milk and matcha. This is also a place you could visit on your last day to bring home some treats for family and friends. The dessert all looked so pretty and delicious. Also in the Ginza area is the Uniqlo flagship store, which is 12 stories high. It's quite a sight to see, and the prices are much better than in the states. There is also more affordable shipping along Ginza's streets from familiar stores such as Zara. There are also local food spots scattered throughout. If you have time it's definitely worth visiting the area especially if you love to shop.

Also close by, about an 8-10 minute car ride, is TeamLab Planets. An interactive museum perfect for kids and families. They also have a shuttle that departs from Ginza Six mall. Teamlabs was one of the highlights of our trip soI definitely recommend visiting.