It was with impeccable timing that the Imperial Hotel opened its doors following a major renovation by Frank Lloyd Wright on 1 September 1923 - the day of the Great Kanto Earthquake. Testimony to its solid structure and timeless design, the Imperial survived the natural disaster - and today remains a popular contender in Tokyo's luxury hotel scene.
A landmark hotel in the capital since it first opened its doors in 1890, it is home to gleaming marble floors, sparkling chandeliers and flower arrangements big enough to dwarf the average Tokyo apartment. Conveniently located opposite Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace, its history, impeccable service and old school glamour has won legions of fans. Boutique it is not: guest rooms run to the 1,000 mark and there are 17 restaurants scattered throughout the sprawlingly glamorous premises