身為《Shopping Design》的專欄作家，我秉持著一個信念：分享全球最新的設計理念與創意靈感給台灣的讀者，相對地透過設計讓世界認識台灣的獨特風貌。我在六個國家成長的經歷，到成立設計公司，這一切都促使我不斷探索世界，尋找能夠啟發心靈的當地文化及思考機制。這次，我想與大家分享我在東京的三段入住體驗，透過這三家風格迥異的飯店，我們可以看到設計如何與歷史、文化及現代生活緊密相連。
➊ 東京車站大飯店：古典復興的現代詮釋
首先，我想介紹「東京車站大飯店」。這間飯店於 1915 年開幕，由辰野金吾所設計，並被日本政府列為國家重要文化財產。2006 年曾經關閉改造，並於 2012 年重新開幕。儘管我們抵達時已是深夜 12 點，入住過程依然順暢。酒店的設計風格並未讓我感到意外，它採用了典型的新古典建築和室內設計，這是日本在明治維新後崇尚西方設計潮流時所偏愛的風格。無論是鏡子的細節還是護壁板的處理，彷彿讓人置身於 1920 年代的優雅時光，穿著晚禮服的感覺油然而生。
隔天，我被早餐廳的設計所吸引。設計師巧妙運用了中央區域的挑高天花板，營造出一種令人讚嘆的開闊感。從模型中還可以看見外部的天窗，這是一種非常現代的建築手法，使用了極簡的玻璃設計。他們勇敢地在歷史悠久的場所中注入現代元素，並結合日式服務的細膩，一切都顯得相得益彰。
➋ 東京虎之門艾迪遜酒店：根據伊恩·施拉格 (Ian Schrager) 構想的隈研吾設計
在欣賞完東京車站大飯店的古典魅力後，我們轉向完全不同的設計體驗——「東京虎之門艾迪遜酒店」。這是一個將現代奢華與極簡主義完美融合的空間。一進入大廳，你立刻能聞到它標誌性的香氛，乘坐簡潔設計的電梯直達 27 樓的空中大堂。東京塔的壯麗景色巧妙地被百葉窗和植栽遮擋，當你逐步走近時，這座標誌性建築才漸漸展現在眼前，令人忍不住停下腳步，或坐下來享受一杯精緻的雞尾酒。
酒店擁有 206 間客房，但入住櫃檯獨立來看空間不大，然而入住大堂、酒廊和早餐區的設計無縫融合，同時整體呈現在被植栽簇擁的大空間裡，巧妙地創造出三個截然不同的區域，隨著探索，不斷帶來驚喜。
我一直渴望體驗 Ian Schrager 的酒店理念，從藝術到音樂再到美食，就是一個完整的都會生活型態，這裡無不展現創意的完美融合。隈研吾的設計更是為整體增色不少。從百葉窗到乾淨俐落的空間，用單一的木頭元素，無不展現他一貫的設計哲學。儘管隈研吾在北京瑜舍酒店的表現更加出色，這裡依然是個美麗而純淨的空間，讓人全然沉浸在東京塔的壯麗景色中。
➌ 東京 Janu 酒店：奢華與極簡的融合
最後要介紹的是安縵集團旗下的「東京 Janu 酒店」。這次我們的房間位置較低，因此從房間望向東京塔的視角是從較底層觀看。設計師巧妙地安排在大廳入住初始便讓我們直接欣賞到這壯觀的景色，讓人目不轉睛，甚至無法專心聽取入住手續的說明。唯一的遺憾是，儘管房價接近四萬台幣，我們仍需要排隊辦理入住手續。對於一間擁有 122 間以上客房的酒店來說，可以想見在繁忙時段，排隊時間可能會更長。
這是我在東京見過最大的房間之一，甚至設有一個獨立的行李區，非常適合攜帶大量行李的旅客。值得一提的是，這間酒店在設計上大膽加入了陽台，這在酒店設計中較為少見，因為安全考量通常會避開這樣的設計。但這裡平衡了安全與景觀享受，使得房間充滿了開放感。
這家酒店以「身心健康和生活風格」為設計靈感。健身器材的位置充分考慮自然光的運用，使健身成為一種享受。透過大窗俯瞰麻布山丘大型花園廣場的景色，讓我決定在這裡度過一個清晨。這裡的泳池是我見過的最大之一，我和孩子們整個上午都沉浸在無憂無慮的玩耍中。與東京虎之門艾迪遜酒店的極簡風格相比，這裡的細節更為奢華，從大理石的運用到燈光的精緻設計，處處展現了奢華酒店的另一個層次。
觸動五感的體驗與未來生活
東京虎之門艾迪遜酒店與東京 Janu 酒店各自展現了截然不同的體驗。虎之門艾迪遜酒店將音樂、食物、酒與設計巧妙融合，讓每一個感官都在空間中找到共鳴。從標誌性的香氛到酒廊的精緻雞尾酒，讓人在沉浸於設計之美的同時，也能品味當下的愉悅氛圍。
相比之下，東京 Janu 酒店則更加注重身心健康與永續生活的概念。從健身房的設計到使用環保盥洗用品，Janu 將 well-being 延伸至每一處細節，不僅讓人身心放鬆，更啟發我們思考未來的生活方式。健康與設計融合成一種生活哲學，讓人體驗到居住在地球上的全新可能 。
以人為本，以服務超越設計
那麼，台灣呢？如果要超越這些飯店，我認為在服務層次上，最近入住的高雄晶英國際行館無疑脫穎而出。儘管這家酒店於 2017 年開幕，並非最新，但其服務水平無可挑剔。酒店的設計風格同樣極簡且富有藝術感，尤其是大廳的設計讓人印象深刻。倒影池搭配精心策劃的簡約細節，營造出一種恬靜而永恆的氛圍。
我記得在退房時，我提著三個沉重的購物袋，因為實在太重，我不得不暫時將它們放在地上。服務人員立即注意到了這一點，走過來問我：「您需要我們幫您把行李放進計程車嗎？」這讓我印象深刻，他們在我開口之前就已察覺到我的需求，這正是高水準服務的體現，細膩而周到，讓人感受到無微不至的關懷。
接下來，我將前往洛杉磯、聖地牙哥以及世界之都——紐約。你有推薦的體驗地點嗎？歡迎留言和我分享你的推薦！
From a Train Station to a 27th-floor Lobby: Explore Hotel Design in Tokyo
My task as a columnist for Shopping Design is to share the world's best knowledge with our Taiwanese audience and to allow the world to know what is happening today in Taiwan.
I'm very fortunate to have grown up in 6 different countries and have a design company that has been reconfigured around the world with top design awards. Therefore, I have the opportunity to travel and give lectures to define today's top design.
Today, I like to share with you what is happening in Tokyo, especially in the hotel scene. I would like to share 3 hotels that I went to in Tokyo recently and the experiences that I have gone through in these 3 hotels.
➊ Tokyo Station Hotel
➋ Tokyo Edition
➌ Janu Tokyo - a part of the Aman Hotel Group
➊ Tokyo Station Hotel: A Modern Interpretation of Classical Renaissance
First Tokyo Station Hotel. Opened in 1915, the hotel was designed by Tatsuno Kingo and is listed by the Japanese government as a National Important Cultural Property. It was closed for renovation in 2006 and reopened in 2012. It was already midnight when we checked in, so it was quite late at night. Still, we had a pretty decent check-in experience where the bell boy was able to help us with our luggage; I wasn't too surprised with the design, as it was a classical setup of classical Western architecture and interior, which the Japanese are very fond of during the period where Japanese idolize the western way of design.
With the mirror details and the skirtings, it is as though we were wearing a Western tux, going back in time to a Western ballroom. The next level of surprise was at its breakfast hall; using the heightened ceiling of the central area created an awe experience. Through the model, you can also see the exterior skylight, a very modern architectural approach with spotless glass. They are not afraid to insert some modern elements into this historical place. Together with the Japanese service mentality, it is beautiful.
➋ Tokyo Edition Hotel: Designed by Kengo Kuma with the vision of Ian Schrager
Tokyo Edition Hotel is the next hotel we will stay at. It is a much-designed vibe hotel on the 27th floor, under the Marriot chain. You are coming in with its signature fragrance to welcome you into the 1st-floor lobby; through a very clean design elevator, you are taken to the 27th floor. You enter the sky lobby; you are hidden from the Tokyo Tower view, which is covered by louver and vegetation. Only once you head towards the giant void does the Tokyo Tower start to unveil before your eyes. That makes you want to stand there or sit down for a pleasurable cocktail.
The check-in counter is not big for a hotel of this size; I remember it was 206 rooms. But the design of the lobby is together with the hotel lounge, and the breakfast area - blue zone. Overall, the design has done an amazing job of creating 3 different programs within a small lobby. That reveals different surprises, as you turn into different corners of the spaces.
The room was done in a very minimalistic way. Once I learned it's done by Kengo Kuma, I understood the idea of louvers and clean spaces. At this point, Kengo Kuma did an even more amazing job at The Opposite House in Beijing. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful clean space that really allowed us to focus on the view of the Tokyo Tower.
➌ Janu Tokyo: A Deep Fusion of Luxury and Minimalism
Janu Tokyo was on another level; this time, it was on a much lower level, so the view of the Tokyo Tower was from the base level. The designer decided to unveil the Tokyo Tower directly from the check-in, so you are a bit distracted. You want to stare at the beautiful view instead of listening to the check-in procedure. Unfortunately, for a room price of almost NTD$40,000, we have to stand up and line up for the check-in. For a room of 122, I'm sure during busy times, the lines would be much longer.
The room was the biggest I have seen in Tokyo; it even comes with its own lobby/ luggage space, which is great for people like us who have 4 huge luggage bags checking in (with many shopping bags). The unique part that I didn't see in any other hotel is the balcony space, which hotels normally avoid due to the concern of people deciding to commit suicide from it.
The gym is the best place to mention the design; it is a fully functional gym, which may be even better. With the lighting design and the view towards the Azabujan Hill huge garden plaza, I decided that I would need to spend the whole morning there. With the interior pool, also one of the biggest I have seen in a hotel, my kids and I could enjoy the entire morning playing shark games without anyone's disturbance. Compared to Edition, where it is minimal to the touch, the level of detail is now luxury; with marble and the lighting details, you know you have walked into the next level of a city luxury hotel.
Experiences that Touch All Five Senses and the Future of Life
Tokyo Edition Hotel and Janu Tokyo each present a distinctly different experience. Tokyo Edition Hotel skillfully blends music, food, wine and design so that every sense finds resonance in the space. From the signature scent to the exquisite cocktails in the lounge, one can savor the pleasant atmosphere of the moment while immersing oneself in the beauty of the design.
In contrast, Janu Tokyo focuses on wellness and sustainable living. From the design of the gym to the use of eco-friendly toiletries, Janu's approach to well-being extends to every detail, not only relaxing the mind and body, but also inspiring us to think about the way we live in the future. Wellness and design merge into a philosophy of living that allows us to experience new possibilities of living on this planet.
Service Beyond Design
How about Taiwan? To outbeat it, I think the level of service is won by a recent hotel I stayed in. It is not the newest hotel, but the level of service is unmatched. The Silk Kaohsiung. The design is also very minimal but artistic at the same time. It is a timeless lobby with reflection pools and simple details, but you know it is carefully choreographed.
I remember I was checking out when the service staff came to me to ask, "Would you like us to help with your carry bag into the taxi while you wait for the bill to be settled? I had 3 different shopping bags, which I found too heavy and dropped to the ground. the service people were able to notice this and help me grab hold of it before I could ask for any help. that is service to the next level.
I'm heading to San Diego next, and the capital city of the world- New York. Where do you recommend that I go? Please leave a note below. I would love to experience it.
