Stay & Play
The Bellustar Tokyo, Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, Tokyo
Article and photography by Steve Gillick
The public transit directions are relatively easy. Arrive at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station. Walk a short distance until you see the snarling face of Godzilla, and then turn left toward the soaring, modern entertainment and hotel complex, the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower that opened on May 19, 2023. Here, the energetic vibe of the Hotel Groove Shinjuku occupies the 19th to 38th floors, while the serenity of the Bellustar Tokyo embraces floors 39 to 44, with the heavenly ‘Penthouses in the Sky’ on floors 45 to 47.
Godzilla may be a star attraction in this part of the city, but it’s only one of the many landmarks visible from the fantastic heights of the Groove and Bellustar accommodations. If it’s a first visit to the city, there’s hardly a need to visit the iconic Tokyo SkyTree and other Tokyo observation platforms with your own in-room panoramic views.
The Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A PARKROYAL Hotel, is a Four Star Lifestyle property geared to the interests of leisure travellers who will be out and about exploring Tokyo but looking for comfort and relaxation at the end of the day. The 538 rooms from the 20th to the 38th floor include great views, twin or King beds, small working desks, a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, and environmentally-conscious amenities (paper toothbrushes and razors).
The Bellustar Tokyo, a Pan Pacific Hotel, is a five-star luxury experience. The 97 rooms and 5 penthouses were designed for world travelers who enjoy creature comforts in a quiet, peaceful, and unique hotel environment that differentiates itself from the plethora of corporate hotels in the area. Certainly, the name Bellustar, or ‘Beautiful Star’, and the peaceful, soothing music in the 18th-floor reception area set the tone.
The room concept is modern but still very Japanese in character: wooden floors, sofa cushions with Kimono designs, a yoga mat in the room, floor-to-ceiling picture windows, and large bathrooms with deep Japanese-style tubs appropriately positioned to soak in the city views.
Keiji Ashizawa, a master of harmonized simplicity in his design, worked on the details of the Bellustar’s five Penthouses to create a ‘Tenku-scape’, a celestial sky-scape incorporating the elements of the four seasons (Flowers, Birds, Wind, and Moon). The two two-story penthouses and three one-level penthouses evoke impeccable attention to detail and focus on those incredible vistas that have been known to include Mt. Fuji on clear days.
Restaurants on the 45th floor feature French cuisine or Sushi/Teppanyaki.
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, featuring restaurants, bars, shopping, exploring, and entertainment. Kabukicho Tower adds to this dynamism, making a stay at the Bellustar Tokyo a memorable treat for the senses.
