Best New Hotels 2008:The Peninsula Tokyo

What’s not to love about the newest outpost of The Peninsula? The location, facing the Imperial Palace in the upmarket Ginza district, is splendid; the décor, reflecting Japanese seasons and culture, is exceptionally chic; the theatrical destination restaurant, Peter, offers sensational 24th-floor views across the city and a lunch menu that’s a true bargain; the guestrooms and suites, appointed with all manner of hi-tech wonders, are among the largest and most comfortable in the city and, best of all, each one features a walk-in dressing room large enough to contain even Ivana Trump’s trunks.

We love The enormous bathrooms, with their mood lighting and sound, and the automated toilet that does everything but make you a cup of coffee. (An espresso machine is thoughtfully provided elsewhere in the room.)

Rooms from about $615, tokyo.peninsula.com.
LEE TULLOCH