The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo announced on July 18 that it has received the prestigious VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality certification from Forbes Travel Guide, a globally recognized and independent authority in luxury hospitality.
Forbes Travel Guide’s VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality is an official certification of sustainability for luxury hotels in more than 80 countries. The designation is awarded to properties that meet more than 100 rigorous standards aimed at protecting the environment and supporting the well-being of employees, guests and their communities.
A Forbes statement said: “A Japanese institution, Imperial Hotel, Tokyo is as close as it gets to a historic property in a city that constantly reinvents itself, even despite the hotel’s several reincarnations. It was first built in 1890 at the request of the Imperial government to cater to Western visitors. In 1923, a new building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright debuted only to be replaced by the present structure in 1970, to which an additional 31-story tower was added in 1983.”
It’s renowned for impeccable service, an outstanding location in the heart of Tokyo and a staggering range of facilities and services. For example, in the busy lobby, knowledgeable staff dispenses helpful information from behind desks with aplomb. Another reason to visit is the food. In a country where the national cuisine is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the Imperial’s 13 restaurants and bars meet high expectations.
The inspector’s highlights were:
- The grand entrance to the Imperial, across the street from the 40-acre, tree-filled Hibiya Park, leads to a spacious two-story marble lobby with hints of Art Deco décor.
- The Imperial boasts one of Tokyo’s largest hotel shopping arcades, several salons providing everything from nail treatments to shiatsu massage, a babysitting room for children and music room with a grand Steinway piano.
- Ginza, with its many boutiques and department stores, is just a short walk away.
- The tower houses a light-filled lap pool, gym and sauna that are complimentary for all hotel guests.
- Les Saisons, under the helm of chef Thierry Voisin, is famous for its French classics and truffle pastry.
The marble lobby and Hibiya Park views make a grand first impression at the Imperial
The hotel received this certification in recognition of several initiatives, including reducing plastic use by reviewing in-room amenities, offering vegan menus options in its dining and lounges and introducing CO2-free electricity.
The Imperial was also the first company to receive the highest “5 Sakura” rating in the Sakura Quality ESG Practice certification system, which honors lodging facilities engaged in sustainable practices aligned with SDGs. In Japan, particular qualities are associated with different flowers and the quality associated with sakura, the cherry blossom, is “spiritual beauty.”
The Imperial Hotel leads in sustainability, earning top honors under the Sakura Quality ESG certification
Sakura Quality is a certification label given to hotels and accommodations whose service embodies this quality and is provided in the spirit of safety, a sense of security and sincerity. Sakura Quality’s certification system puts strong weight on always ensuring safety and consistently providing peace of mind as the key factors to fulfilling this philosophy and spirit of service. Peace of mind in particular exists in degrees, so quality-related information is provided that expresses this metric at multiple levels.
Along with always ensuring safety, certified hotels and accommodations are service professionals with a firm commitment to constantly raising quality, cultivating relationships with the community and abiding by the Sakura Quality Code of Ethics. They make every effort every day to maintain this commitment.
They provide a strong foundation for Japan’s tourism industry and lodging market, and they are ever in the service of beauty. The Imperial Hotel, founded as “Japan’s guest house” upholds the philosophy of its first chairman, Eiichi Shibusawa, to “respond to and contribute to the needs of society.” In this spirit, the hotel actively promotes initiatives to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
