p58-59 ttg_lux_t&t reviews Wint09 27/11/09 15:00 Page 58
tried & tested
SHANGRI-LA
TOKYO by Philippa Jacks
In a city as chaotic as Tokyo, the prospect of a
“secret valley far from the stresses of the
material world” held great appeal. Enter the
Shangri-La, which made its Japanese debut
this year, with a 202-room oasis, 28 floors
above the maelstrom of the city.
The hotel boasts 2,000 pieces of artwork,
guestrooms feature a Yamaguchi tea-set and
the obligatory Japanese trademark – a high-
tech loo (a heated seat, various wash cycles
and sound effects to maintain one’s modesty).
Other facilities in the bathroom of my 50sq m
deluxe guestroom included both bath and
shower, and one wall of glass (with an optional
COPACABANA PALACE
Venetian blind) to create an even greater sense
RIO DE JANEIRO
of space. The bedroom included a behemoth
by Katherine Lawrey
flat-screen TV, a steam-cleaner for your clothes
and a thoughtful amenity kit complete with
ld photos show clearly that the Copacabana Palace was once the only spare hosiery. All of which meant guestrooms
O
building of any note on Copacabana Beach when it opened in the 1920s. HOW TO SELL IT more than ticked the boxes in terms of facilities.
Nowadays, the elegant Mediterranean-style facade is sandwiched A Horizon Club floor features a lounge and
■ This is the celebrity bolthole
between high-rise blocks, but it has not lost its original pulling power. in Rio and guests include executive guestrooms and the hotel has three
The hotel’s star-studded guest list is testament to its enduring popularity. I politicians, royalty, film stars, showcase suites too, including a sumptuous
began to feel like a celebrity myself when uniformed staff seemed to greet me at
musicians and models.
Presidential Suite.
every turn and all the attention went to my head – Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Princess Most room categories have a more
Diana, Nelson Mandela and Madonna were just a few of the names ahead of mine.
■ You can be at the heart of the
expensive Bay View option but the alternative
The Palace has 225 rooms and suites including seven in the Penthouse
action on Copacabana Beach
views over Marunouchi are equally impressive.
for New Year’s Eve. Have an
category. I checked into a Pool Ocean View Suite in the Tower Wing, which had a The Marunouchi Trust Tower, of which the new
intimate dinner in the Cipriani,
bedroom, living room, dressing area and a big bathroom with separate bath,
join in the Gala Ball or simply
hotel is part, is adjacent to Tokyo Station, and
shower and double sinks. The bed was one of the most comfortable I have slept in.
watch the firework display on
within walking distance of the Imperial Palace
The suite also had a balcony overlooking the main heated swimming pool. This
the beach from your balcony.
and world-famous Ginza shopping district.
pool is the real hub of the hotel: overlooked by both restaurants, it glows a bright The hotel’s two restaurants have fast
blue after dark. I sat by the pool on a grey Saturday morning, and despite the cloud established themselves on Tokyo’s competitive■ The service is so slick you
cover it was a hive of activity with children, nannies, wine-swilling fathers and Vogue- barely have to lift a finger – dining scene. The Italian Piacere is all high
reading mothers. When I tired of people-watching there, I sought entertainment
there’s an average of 2.4
ceilings and elegant glitz, while the Japanese
on the beach. The hotel has a beach service on Rio’s Copacabana beach offering
members of staff per room.
restaurant Nadaman is a more brooding
loungers, fruit and water – but no magic repellent for the persistent beach sellers. contrast, where diners can hide in nooks and
Other facilities include a rooftop tennis court, fitness centre and the Copacabana
How to book it
private-dining areas.
Cox & Kings offers seven nights
Palace Spa. In the name of research I put myself through the signature massage, Shangri La Tokyo, Marunouchi Trust Tower
at the Copacabana Palace from
which was pretty special. The hotel also has several meeting rooms and the
£2,395 per person including
Main, 1-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
infrastructure to cope with big events – its annual Carnival Ball is legendary.
flights with British Airways,
Tel: 00 81 3 6739 7888, shangri-la.com
Flagship restaurant the Cipriani serves sophisticated Italian food for lunch
accommodation with breakfast
and dinner. The other venue, La Pergula, is open all day and serves a sumptuous
in a Superior Oceanfront Room
HOW TO BOOK IT
breakfast buffet and international-style lunches and dinners. The feijoada, a and private transfers. Tel: 020 Rooms lead-in from £468 for a deluxe room
Brazilian staple served here on Saturdays, is a big hit. 7873 5000, coxandkings.co.uk per night. The current BonusChoice (available
The Palace is a formal hotel but friendly too. . .the at shangri-la.com) offer includes a choice of
bellboys were gracious enough not to turn up their noses
Avenida Atlantica 1702, Rio
CHI Spa treatments credit of £130 per stay;
when I arrived with a big rucksack after a couple of weeks’
de Janeiro, CEP 22021 001,
dining credit of £130 per stay (except
backpacking in Brazil. With so much Prada luggage
Brazil.
breakfast and banquet charges); or quadruple
Tel: 00 55 21 2548 7070
around, my rucksack was something of a novelty; maybe bonus airline frequent flyer mileage (on top of
58
copacabanapalace.com.br
that’s why I was treated like a celebrity after all. internet access and late check-out until 4pm).
tried & tested
winter 09 ttgluxury.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68