PARK HYATT TOKYO

Located in West Shinjuku on the 39th to 52nd floors of Kenzo Tange's granite-and-glass Shinjuku Park Tower, the Park Hyatt is among the most gorgeous and sophisticated hotels in Japan, a perfect reflection of high-tech, avant-garde Tokyo in the 21st century. If you can afford it, stay here. Check-in, on the 41st floor, is comfortably accomplished at one of three sit-down desks. Elevators reserved only for the guest-room floors offer privacy; if you do see other guests, they're likely to be celebs, fashion designers, or CEOs. Though it doesn't attract as much off-the-street foot traffic as Shinjuku's other hotels, the Park Hyatt's debut in Lost in Translation assures a steady stream of curious fans to its lounges and restaurants. Be sure to book early, therefore, for the 52nd-floor New York Grill, one of Tokyo's best restaurants, offering a spectacular setting. All rooms average at least 45 sq. m (484 sq. ft. -- the largest in Tokyo) and have original artwork, stunning and expansive views (including Mt. Fuji on clear days), bathrooms to die for with deep tubs (plus separate showers), walk-in closets, remote-control curtains, and even Japanese/English dictionaries. Despite the competition posed by Roppongi Hill's Grand Hyatt, this hotel isn't worried, as it considers itself in a class of its own.