Hidden Tokyo gem unveils luxury hotel with heated indoor pool

31 March 2026

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A New Addition to Tokyo’s Skyline

Located in the new upscale Takanawa development, the sleek JW Marriott Tokyo fits right into the city’s vibrant skyline. The hotel offers 200 guest rooms, including 28 suites, seven restaurants and bars, an 82-foot heated indoor pool, a spa, and a club lounge. Its location in the Takanawa Gateway City development puts guests in a less touristy and much quieter part of town, while still being steps away from major transportation hubs like Takanawa Gateway Station and Shinagawa Station.

Key Features of the Hotel

The hotel’s 28th floor houses the first JW Mindful Floor, featuring nine Mindful rooms, stocked with wellness amenities such as bath ritual sets and journaling notebooks. Guests can take advantage of perks like a spa credit and in-room breakfast. The hotel’s Japanese and Mediterranean restaurants are helmed by Michelin-starred chefs, serving exquisite dishes prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

In a city as overwhelming as Tokyo, where the hospitality scene seems to grow daily, first-time visitors might find it reassuring to stay at a familiar brand like JW Marriott, which opened its first outpost in the city in October 2025.

Guest Room Experience

During a recent trip to Tokyo, my husband and I—both new to the city—checked into a room with a comfortable wall-to-wall couch, a king-size bed with city views, and thoughtful details like a lovely tea set and a deep soaking tub. The hotel’s design aesthetic emphasizes soothing neutrals, natural materials, organic shapes, and beautiful sculptures, creating a sense of tranquility in the guest rooms, restaurants, and the stunning heated indoor pool, where views sometimes extend to Mt. Fuji.

Dining Options

JW Marriott Tokyo has seven food and beverage spaces, including an artisanal croissant bar. At Kakō and Saki, guests feast on seasonal Japanese ingredients highlighting traditional and modern techniques. The Mediterranean Sefino, helmed by Michelin-starred Argentine chef Agustin Balbi, serves exquisite plates inspired by the flavors of South America and Southern Europe.

Lounge Experience

My husband and I are huge fans of JW Marriott lounges, so one afternoon, after clocking almost 20,000 steps exploring Tokyo, we rushed back to the hotel and settled into the cushy chairs of the Executive Lounge to indulge in miso soup, spring rolls, and French fries. (After consecutive nights of multi-course kaiseki dinners filled with delicious art-worthy food, we were craving a little taste of home.)

Exceptional Service

It’s the place to go for excellent Japanese and Western light bites, drinks, and desserts, along with more of those stunning skyline views. Attendants here wore modern, kimono-inspired uniforms, and it quickly became clear that they—and their colleagues—are what made this hotel so exceptional.

Personalized Touches

The team continually went above and beyond, and we were particularly moved when our soft-spoken server at Kakō handed us a handwritten note at the end of our meal. Not only did she thank us for dining there, but because we had shared our upcoming travel plans in Kyoto, she listed all her favorite places in the city for us.

And when we couldn’t figure out how to pick up our limited express train tickets for the next leg of our trip, the hotel’s concierge personally walked my husband over to the station and didn’t leave until he had the tickets in his hand.

Location and Accessibility

Takanawa still falls under the radar compared to popular spots like Shinjuku, Ginza, and Shibuya; its quieter, less touristy ambiance is just another reason JW Marriott Tokyo is a great place to stay. That said, the area is far from isolated. The hotel is just steps away from Takanawa Gateway Station and a short walk from Shinagawa Station, making it easy to get pretty much anywhere in the country.

Surrounding Area

The hotel’s opening is part of the master plan for Takanawa Gateway City, which also includes offices and luxury residences, in addition to dining, cultural, community, and retail spaces, such as Newoman, a shopping mall next door. With its open layout displaying concept shops full of local fashion, home goods, and Japan’s largest outpost of beloved bookstore Bunkitsu Tokyo, it quickly became a favorite spot for us.