Immerse yourself in the timeless design, fine details and understated sophistication of Palace Hotel Tokyo &mdash; its Premier Suite offers the look and feel of a contemporary luxury residence, and a serene view of the Imperial Palace gardens.

While I have had the pleasure of staying at Palace Hotel Tokyo on two occasions while on short business trips in Japan, getting acquainted with the exquisite space and its surrounding Marunouchi area on a deeper level is something that has eluded me. Until now that is. Fortunately, in early December, I had the privilege of visiting the property, which is one of only three in Tokyo to be awarded Three Keys by MICHELIN Guide, for the third time. On this occasion, sans a hectic work schedule, which means I had all the luxury of exploring its elegant grounds and the neighbouring areas &mdash; the Imperial Palace, with which the hotel shares a moat; the iconic red brick building of Tokyo Station; landmark shopping centres such as Marunouchi Building and Kitte; and the tree-lined Nakadori Avenue. Third time&rsquo;s a charm, as they say.

My recent sojourn is extra memorable for several reasons, and what left an immediate impression was the room that I occupied for two nights: the latest Premier Suite, which the five-star property launched in 2022. For return visitors like me, you&rsquo;ll recognise the sophisticated yet simple visual and design codes that are a hallmark of the hotel, but be surprised by the contemporary luxury residence look and feel (think pleasing earthy hues, custom rugs and furnishings, Japanese artwork, and sculpted porcelain and ceramic pieces) of the enormous 90-square-meter room. Each Premiere Suite comes with three distinct parts: a bedroom and bathroom area, a multi-faceted living space for work, relaxation and dining, and two separate balconies for guests to enjoy remarkable views of the Imperial Palace gardens and the city skyline. All these make this new room type perfect for short or long stays, and for guests who are visiting for a mix of work and play.&nbsp;

After I had enjoyed lounging about enough, it was time to explore the vicinity &mdash; and there are plenty of notable attractions within reach. My first stop for some souvenirs: Tokyo Station&rsquo;s Character Street, which was just six minutes away by foot. The lively underground stretch is home to a Pok&eacute;mon Store and the world&rsquo;s first Dragon Ball Store, which opened in mid November. Next, I dropped by Iekei Ramen Kakushinka Tokyo, situated in the station&rsquo;s Tokyo Ramen Street, for a lunch of ramen with chewy noodles and a rich garlic-flavoured tonkotsu broth. Following the meal, I proceeded to the nearby Kitte Marunouchi, which I had noticed on Instagram some weeks ago for its focus on Japanese aesthetics and cuisine, as well as emerging Japanese brands. Then it was time to soak in the Christmas illuminations of Marunouchi Nakadori Street, where one can also find Comme des Gar&ccedil;ons and Kolor stores. After walking up an appetite again, I decided to try my luck at the trending deli restaurant, The Front Room, which is located on the first floor of Marunouchi Building. Although the seasonal shine muscat tart was sold out, I managed to have a taste of the establishment&rsquo;s new Marron Cream French Toast, made of super soft Japanese milk bread, with chestnut crumble and vanilla ice cream.&nbsp;

Speaking of dining, even before this trip, I remembered the breakfast buffet at Palace Hotel Tokyo&rsquo;s Grand Kitchen fondly, as did some of my fellow editors who have stayed at the property &mdash; when I told them that I was to stay at the hotel again, they were quick to reminisce about our meals there in the past. The spread of grilled Japanese beef tenderloin morning steak, scrambled tofu, eggs benedict with wasabi mayonnaise, Japanese curry, and fresh bakes did not disappoint. From these simple pleasures, I moved on to an elevated prix-fixe seasonal kaiseki at the hotel&rsquo;s signature Wadakura on my last night in Tokyo &mdash; highlights included simmered duck with sweet miso and deep fried semi-dried persimmon, seasonal sashimi, and stewed olive-fed Wagyu from Kagawa with sweet soy sauce in cocotte, raw egg.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

After savouring the meal, all too soon, it was time for me to bid farewell and head back to Singapore, but not before a sweet ending. On the day of my departure, off I went to the property&rsquo;s popular Sweets &amp; Deli at its basement Hotel Arcade, where I joined a line to purchase treats like baumkuchen, almond cake, and sandwich cookies with orange filling to enjoy back home and remember my terrific third stay at Palace Hotel Tokyo by.

A Palace of Dreams

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