Pictured: Park Hyatt,Tokyo,Japan

 

HYATT, TOKYO Lost in Luxury

PARK HYATT 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 5322 1234    Fax: +81 3 5322 1288

GRAND HYATT 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 4333 1234 Fax: +81 3 4333 8123

 

On the world map, Tokyo has carved out its own reputation as both a pulsating metropolis and style epicenter. In a city like this, savvy travelers expect the finest in dining, accommodation and entertainment. Here you won’t find Tokyo’s cartography populated with trendy boutique hotels like London or New York. Instead, chain hotels like the Hyatt reign supreme in the luxury hotel market. With two distinctly unique properties, the Park Hyatt and the newer Grand Hyatt, the Hyatt Group reigns in Tokyo.

 

The Park Hyatt rose to epic proportions in Sophia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. Housed on the top 14 floors of the 52-story Shinjuku Park Tower, the Park Hyatt has been described aptly as a hotel floating above Tokyo. This feeling can only be appreciated if you are lucky enough to stay in 177 rooms that offer panoramic views of the sprawling urban landscape or the distant Mount Fuji with its snow-capped peaks.

 

Spacious rooms are impeccably designed with tranquility and comfort in mind for the discerning traveler. Black-lacquered furniture, sliding wooden doors, and Hakkaido water elm paneling create the ambience of traditional Japan while modern amenities such as plasma televisions remind you that you are in the 21^st century.

 

The expansive beds dressed with fine Egyptian cotton bedding and feathered down comforters contour to your body’s shape after a lengthy international flight. With the touch of the bedside button, the curtains glide shut eliminating the urban jungle and neon lights that lie just outside. When you are ready to awake, deep-soaking marble and granite tubs and deluxe showers with soothing Aesop botanical products will revive your senses. Even the toilets spark dinner conversation as they feature an automatic seat warmer and built-in bidet function.

 

In the hotel’s contemporary public spaces, the mood is quiet, understated and intimate -- you won’t find media hungry celebrities in this hotel. Women donned in best designer garb meet for afternoon tea and cake at the Peak Lounge, the garden conservatory in the sky. In the evening, authentic Japanese cuisine is served at Kozue, whereas upstairs at New York Grill, a mix of international guests and Tokyo’s finest flock nightly for the mouth-watering Kobe beef, an extensive wine list and live jazz.

 

Where the Park Hyatt offers the personal, secluded hotel experience, the Grand Hyatt caters to the young, hip and trendy. Ideally placed in the upscale urban re-development of Roppongi Hills, the Grand Hyatt houses the ultimate in unique dining, shopping and nightlife all within arm’s reach.

 

The hotel’s vast yet airy and modern public spaces serve as a stylish meeting place where hotel guests mingle with members of the surrounding community. Off the lobby at Fiorentina, diners indulge in casual Italian fare while the more formal crowd dines at Shunbou, the Japanese Kaiseki and Kappo restaurant. With premium cigars and an exclusive whisky tasting menu, Maduro bar features live entertainment in a sultry and sexy environment.

 

Upstairs at the Nagomi Spa and Fitness Club, jet-lagged guests refresh themselves by taking a plunge in the unique red granite pool, then pamper themselves with spa treatments that use exclusive Kerstin Florian spa products or just work up a sweat in the gym.

 

When you are finally ready to divert you attention away from the distractions downstairs, your guest room awaits. Although smaller than the rooms at the Park Hyatt, the rooms at the Grand Hyatt make great use of the space and the view above Roppongi Hills. Adorned in glass, mahogany wood, muted colors, and fine Italian furniture, the rooms are contemporary and comfortable. Open bathrooms feature a glass-enclosed rainshower and deep-soaking baths with natural limestone floors.

 

When you’re ready to get comfortable, slip into a Japanese kimono style yukata, sip some hot green tea, and watch the city lights flicker from the comforts of your bed.

 

Who needs any translation in such luxury?

 

-- Shayan Rayani

 

 

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SOUNDS

 

SOME JOURNEYS DON'T REQUIRE A PASSPORT

Putumayo World Music's motto is "guaranteed to make you feel good" and with a variety of rhythms from around the world its not too difficult to make that happen, while introducing people to the world's cultures along the way.  

 

THE CARIBBEAN Caribbean music is steeped in African traditions, incorporates European and Latin American sounds, and satisfies virtually any listening palate. The Caribbean has long been a bastion of musical innovation and The Caribbean shows that today’s artists are continuing to build on its powerful musical heritage.
BRAZILIAN LOUNGE From music and film to fashion and dance, Brazil has become one of the world’s most important resources of popular art and entertainment. Brazilian Lounge is a collection featuring the sultry voices and urban grooves of many of Brazil’s finest contemporary musicians.
TURKISH GROOVE As Turkish pop takes its place on the international stage, its fusions of cultural traditions and modern techniques play to an ever-expanding audience. Turkish Groove hopes to serve as an introduction to the contemporary sounds of this culturally rich country.
PARIS a new school of musicians has given a fresh voice to the vintage chanson sound, creating the nouvelle scène (new scene) that is all the rage in Paris. Paris is an introduction to a vibrant group of artists out to prove that this is not your grandma’s chanson.
BAILA In 2005, Latin music experienced its third straight year of double-digit growth in album sales. For Putumayo, whose top 10 bestsellers include six Latin titles, the growing appeal of Latin music is not surprising. Latin America is the label's fastest growing international market, and the success of albums like Salsa Around the World and Latin Lounge indicate the growing appeal of Latin music in all regions of the world.

 

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40 Degrees of Noelia

 

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and singing since the age of 18, Noelia’s growing list of accomplishments include 3 Spanish language albums, 10 radio hits, 3 million units sold, gold and platinum records, and with the song "Tu”, Billboard's Song of the Year Award. If that wasn’t enough, she currently graces the cover of the recently launched bi-lingual publication, YOU-TU.

 

Noelia considers ’40 Grados / (40 Degrees), which is available now, to be her most autobiographical work to date, “All the songs are based on something I went through“. In regards to one song in particular “Nina Solitaria / Solitary Girl”, “Many people have criticized it because it is said there is too much tragedy, but I was there and I lived that situation”. With a new label and even more determination, she can rest assured that even more people will get to know the 40 Degrees of Noelia.

 

www.you-tu.com

 

- Warner Alas

 

 

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Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles- The Fourth annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) treated more than 7,000 festival-goers to some of the most memorable and groundbeaking films and closed with a 'rocking' party that reaped even more memorable moments.     Student Academy Award-winning director Neil Lahiri with friends Preeti and Mili
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles- Festival Director, Smirithi Narayan flanked by spouse and Indulge Sr. Editor, Ghalib Dhalla (R)
YOU-TU Magazine Launch EMI TELEVISA Music Artist NOELIA with Indulge Assoc. Publisher Warner Alas
Jeffrey Sanker's 17th Annual WHITE PARTY Spring Break, roared into the history books with increased attendance, a sizzling array of DJ's and guest stars and an overall vibe that left revelers wanting more all weekend long! The Easter Weekend activities featured non-stop pool parties, music, and entertainment including special appearances by Grammy Winner Toni Braxton, Kim English, International Singing Diva Anastacia, and DJ’s like Rosable and Manny Lehman. (click to enlarge) Top Left: Jeffrey Sanker, Anastacia, David Cooley, and Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden.