"There are hotels where you simply book a room.
And then there are hotels that manage to transport you somewhere else entirely.
**The Prince Akatoki London** somehow manages to make you feel as though you've stepped into Japan without having to leave Marble Arch.
We stayed for one night in April 2026 in a **Studio Suite** to celebrate my birthday — and I'm very glad we did!
## Welcome to Japan... in London
The Prince Akatoki is part of the Prince Hotels group, one of Japan's major hotel companies, and the London property opened in **2019** following the transformation of what was previously the Arch London hotel.
The idea behind the hotel is to bring together Japanese hospitality and design with a distinctly London setting.
And it works.
The hotel takes its name from the Japanese word **"akatoki"**, an old poetic term referring to the period just before dawn — a fitting name for a hotel built around calm, simplicity and understated elegance.
You certainly notice that philosophy when you walk in.
## Peace & Quiet Near Marble Arch
The location is excellent.
You're close to **Marble Arch** and Oxford Street, so all the shopping and attractions of central London are within easy reach, but the hotel itself feels surprisingly peaceful.
It's also within easy reach of attractions such as **Marble Arch and the Moco Museum**, making it a useful base if you're planning a sightseeing or shopping weekend.
But once you're inside the hotel, the noise and bustle of Oxford Street seem a world away.
## Our Studio Suite
The first thing that struck us about the Studio Suite was **how spacious and serene it felt**.
This was particularly impressive given that the windows looked out at street level.
You might expect a ground-floor room in central London to feel dark or overlooked.
Instead, the room felt calm, spacious and incredibly comfortable.
Guest Services had also arranged a lovely birthday surprise for us, with a selection of **sweet treats and sparkling tea** waiting in the room.
A very thoughtful touch.
And before you get too excited about the minibar...
**It's all free!**
Unfortunately, there was **no alcohol** in it.
So perhaps don't start planning the champagne party just yet.
## The Bathroom
The bathroom continued the spacious theme, with a large bath, separate shower and **twin sinks**.
It's exactly the sort of bathroom that makes you feel you're staying somewhere a little more special than your average London hotel.
And after a day of shopping and sightseeing, having somewhere this relaxing to retreat to was very welcome.
## Then Things Got Very Japanese...
After some shopping and a little relaxation in the room, it was time for the main event.
**Tokii.**
The hotel's Japanese restaurant.
We'd specifically booked the **omakase experience**, which normally costs around £100 per person, although we had a voucher that covered our meal.
If you've never experienced omakase, the basic idea is that you put yourself in the chef's hands and allow them to decide what you're going to eat.
And we decided to make the experience even more interesting by sitting **at the counter**.
There were only a couple of other diners, which meant we could interact directly with the chefs and find out more about each dish.
This was particularly useful for me because I have some specific dietary requirements, and the team were extremely helpful in accommodating them.
## Meet Kazumi & Jun
The food was outstanding.
But honestly, the two chefs — **Kazumi and Jun** — were almost as entertaining as the food itself.
They were informative, friendly and clearly enjoyed working together.
Their personalities bounced off each other brilliantly, and there was a great deal of humour between them as they explained what we were eating.
It made the meal feel much more personal than simply sitting down in a restaurant and being handed a succession of beautifully presented dishes.
There was also a **Whiskey Highball**, a very popular Japanese cocktail, included with the experience.
But for me, the real stars were the chefs.
If you're considering visiting Tokii, I'd strongly recommend trying the omakase and, if possible, sitting at the counter.
**Even if you're not staying at the hotel.**
It's an experience in its own right.
## Breakfast, Japanese Style
The following morning, Tokii had undergone something of a transformation.
The restaurant that had been our intimate omakase dining room the previous evening was now serving breakfast.
And it was excellent.
There's something rather satisfying about having dinner somewhere one evening and then returning to the same restaurant for breakfast the following morning — particularly when the surroundings are this stylish.
## Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely.
The Prince Akatoki delivered something I really appreciate in a hotel: **it had a personality**.
The Studio Suite was spacious and peaceful, the birthday welcome was thoughtful, the location was excellent and the whole property had a wonderfully calm Japanese aesthetic.
But the highlight for me was undoubtedly **Tokii**.
The omakase was excellent, and Kazumi and Jun made the experience even more memorable.
For that reason alone, I'd recommend checking out the restaurant even if you're not staying overnight.
As for the hotel itself?
I'd happily return.
If you're looking for somewhere in central London that feels genuinely different from the usual luxury hotel experience, **The Prince Akatoki is well worth considering**.
It's a little slice of Japan in London — and, thankfully, you don't need to board a 12-hour flight to get there.
**Verdict: Serene Japanese design, spacious rooms, a superb location and an excellent omakase experience at Tokii. The Prince Akatoki is proof that sometimes the best way to escape London is to stay in London.**"
A Tripadvisor traveler review
Aug 30, 2026
