Top hotels in Tokyo are rolling out the red carpet for visitors as the festive season approaches. And even though Christmas is not a traditional Japanese celebration, few places in the world mark December 25 with such gusto as Tokyo.
The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo has announced a WISH.forJapan Christmas package that is available December 10-25, with 10 percent of the price, which starts at Y52,000 (€500.61) per night for double occupancy, going to support people affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan in March.
The hotel, which opened in March 2009 in the top 11 floors of the 37-storey Marunouchi Trust Tower alongside Tokyo Station, launched its WISH.forJapan charitable program immediately after the disasters struck.
The package includes a special bottle of spumante, made by Bottega of Italy, which created a one-off white bottle featuring the logo of the program, as well as WISH candy made by Papabubble, which is originally from Barcelona.
Guests will also enjoy a Christmas cake made by the hotel's executive pastry chef and breakfast at the Restaurant Piacere or The Lobby Lounge, as well as access to the hotel's health club and swimming pool.
In the nearby Nihombashi district, the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, is also hanging up the Christmas decorations and offering luxurious stays over the festive period from rates starting at Y52,999 (€510.37) per room per night.
The package includes daily breakfasts for two and in-room amenities that range from champagne to Christmas cake, fruit with chocolates or a seasonal flower arrangement. The dinner options include Michelin-starred modern French cuisine at Signature, Cantonese delicacies at Sense, which has also been recognized by Michelin, or Asian dining at K'shiki.
The hotel's award-winning spa also offers a range of relaxing treatments, while every guest will also receive a Christmas stocking delivered by Santa Claus.
The Peninsula, Tokyo, which overlooks the Imperial Palace, also has a packed festive schedule and will again be taking part in the group's worldwide charity program "Trees of Hope." Guests are encouraged to purchase an ornament to hang on the hotel's lobby Christmas tree, with the proceeds going entirely to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Japan for local children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The hotel's chefs are putting on Christmas lunches and dinners december 22-25 at Peter, its restaurant on the 24th floor, as well as a six-course extravaganza at the Hei Fung Terrace.
Christmas Afternoon Tea is being served in The Lobby, while the hotel is also creating a range of Christmas cakes and festive hampers, all the way up to the Santa Claus Hamper, which includes cookies, puddings, chocolates and other seasonal favorites. -- AFP RELAXNEWS