With the Park Hyatt Tokyo reopening in December 2025 and now accepting reservations, it feels like the perfect time to revisit one of its most legendary rooms — the Diplomat Suite, better known as the Lost in Translation Suite.

This was the very setting for Sofia Coppola’s Academy Award–winning film Lost in Translation, starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. Over the years, it has become one of the most famous hotel suites in Japan. It’s a destination in itself for travelers and film lovers alike.

Since the hotel closed for its extensive renovation, there has been endless speculation among loyal guests and design enthusiasts about the fate of this iconic suite. The prevailing rumor? That it is being refreshed and upgraded, not redesigned — preserving the quiet elegance and cinematic aura that made it legendary.

ABOUT THE HOTEL WHERE SOFIA COPPOLA FILMED

I had the privilege of staying in this suite shortly before the renovation began. The experience felt like stepping into a piece of modern film history — and into the golden age of Tokyo luxury.

When the Park Hyatt Tokyo opened in the late 1990s, it quickly became an icon for a new type of luxury hotel. No other hotel combined modern minimalism with such warmth and polish. It wasn’t just a place to stay. It was the place to be.

Everyone who mattered in the world of business, art, or culture eventually passed through its doors. The New York Grill, perched high above Shinjuku with its skyline views and live jazz, became the city’s living room. The hotel’s atmosphere was electric — half Silicon Valley summit, half high-finance cocktail party, with a touch of film-set glamour that has never been replicated.

THE TIMELESS DESIGN OF THE PARK HYATT TOKYO

What makes this property truly remarkable is how faithfully it preserved its original identity for more than 25 years. Until the recent closure, most rooms still carried the same refined decor from opening day — meticulously maintained, polished to perfection, and serenely timeless.

The public areas, too, remained exactly as the first guests (myself included) remembered them. From the hushed, wood-paneled entrance to the subtle lighting in the elevators and the lush greenery of the lobby, every element evoked the same calm sophistication. Even the long corridors, lined with art and travel books, felt untouched by time.

Walking through it all was pure déjà vu. The prints on the walls, the textures, the fragrances — everything was as it had been since Lost in Translation was filmed there. It felt like stepping into a living time capsule of Tokyo’s golden age of luxury.

That chapter, however, has now paused. The hotel began a major renovation in May 2024 and it is re-opening this December 2025. Hotel executoves promise a sleeker, more polished version of itself — an evolution, not a reinvention.

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INSIDE THE DIPLOMAT SUITE — THE LOST IN TRANSLATION ROOM

What was the Lost in Translation suite like? This elegant corner suite captured everything that made the hotel legendary. It had that same quiet confidence, cinematic light, and understated luxury prevailing elsewhere in the hotel.

The space unfolded like a private sanctuary above the city. A grand piano stood by the window, the skyline glimmering beyond it. The marble bathroom offered a deep soaking tub with panoramic views of Shinjuku, while the living room felt like a modern study, lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

Every room at the Park Hyatt Tokyo reflects this same quiet balance of Japanese restraint and timeless design. Elegant yet unpretentious, the spaces have always embodied the hotel’s signature aesthetic and contemporary classic luxury.

However, this suite is not just a room. It’s a home I could live in.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BOOKS

And it had a library I could spend days going through. The books alone revealed the hotel’s philosophy. The collection of travel books in the living room transported one to faraway places. A quick glance and I saw titles about Bhutan, Patagonia, Rajasthan — all corners of the world that share a sense of solitude and wonder.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, the tone changed: only cookbooks and volumes devoted to the art of food. The contrast felt deliberate. Perhaps a quiet design decision meant to reflect mood and appetite.

I stayed in this suite several times, and each visit felt like returning to a place that understood the art of stillness. The books were so carefully chosen, so deeply engaging, that it was easy to lose a full afternoon turning pages, the city humming faintly beyond the glass.

There are countless hotels that scatter coffee-table books around to look cultured or stylish. The Park Hyatt Tokyo was not one of these. Its shelves hold thousands of real books, each worn from years of browsing hands. Nothing felt staged or decorative. These books looked read, loved, and lived with — the kind of quiet authenticity that only decades on a shelf can create.

HOW TO ARRANGE A LIBRARY

Every book inside the Lost in Translation Suite was chosen with both a collector’s precision and a reader’s hear

How else does one explain the shelf devoted entirely to Russia and the former Soviet Republics? And then another filled with photo books on Africa? Or the careful grouping of volumes on French cuisine?

There was a quiet method behind the order. It felt as if each guest left behind a trace of curiosity, and then someone patiently restored the suite’s library to perfect harmony. I imagined I was not the only one who has pulled a dozen books to read by the bedside, only to find them back in place by morning — straightened, aligned, and waiting for the next traveler.

Someone clearly tended this library with devotion. It was the same care and meticulous attention to atmosphere that defined the Park Hyatt Tokyo itself. And this made the Diplomat Suite unlike any other hotel room in the world.

INSPIRATIONS FOR BATHROOMS

Then there was the corner bathroom of the Lost in Translation Suite. This is easily one of the most breathtaking hotel bathrooms in Japan. It was a space made for lingering — a sanctuary where you could watch Tokyo unfold beneath you from the deep soaking tub.

It’s easy to imagine guests checking in and falling instantly in love with the interiors. Within minutes, I always started mentally redecorating my own home, trying to capture this same feeling of calm luxury and quiet elevation. It’s hard to describe the feeling that this hotel gave its guests, except to explain it as that rare sensation of being, quite literally, on top of the world.

BATHROOMS WITH VIEWS IN TOKYO

The moment I first saw this bathroom, my plans for the day vanished. Instead I was running the bath, surrounded by soft light and skyline reflections. The shelves were lined with Aesop amenities, not in sample form but in a beautifully complete selection, as though someone decided that guests of this suite should have nothing less than the full experience.

Of course, all suite bathrooms aim to impress. But what makes this one exceptional is its placement . It occupied the corner usually reserved for a bedroom or living room. The result was a sense of openness and light that few hotels could match. The hotel turned a simple daily ritual into something quietly cinematic.

THE LOST IN TRANSLATION HOTEL ROOM

Over the years, the Diplomat Suite at the Park Hyatt Tokyo has quietly hosted some of the most influential people in the world. Heads of state, visiting dignitaries, and artists have all stayed within its calm, book-lined walls. Even The Weeknd reportedly spent a month here writing an album — proof that creativity thrives in this rarefied space above the city.

But its most enduring fame still comes from Sofia Coppola and her award-winning Lost in Translation. The film’s quiet, reflective scenes — those moments of jet-lagged solitude and connection between Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray — were captured right here.

For travelers lucky enough to have stayed in this suite, stepping into it felt like walking into a still frame of modern film history. The light, the view, the atmosphere of the film — everything remained instantly recognizable, almost suspended in time.

THE ROOM WHERE SCARLET JOHANNSON STAYED IN

At the time of filming, the Diplomat Suite was cleverly divided into two bedrooms — one for Scarlett Johansson’s character and the other for Bill Murray’s. By early 2000s standards, Lost in Translation was bold and unmistakably indie. It captured a version of Tokyo that few outside Japan had ever seen. It was a city defined not by temples or tradition, but by neon solitude, late-night bars, and quiet emotion.

Many credit Sofia Coppola’s film for awakening global curiosity about modern Tokyo. She captured the contrasts, the loneliness, and the beauty. Knowing this, I couldn’t resist the chance to once more have my own Lost in Translation moment inside the very room where it all began, before the Park Hyatt Tokyo closed for renovations.

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ROOM SERVICE & MOVIES

“Do you have the movie on DVD?” I asked then–Park Hyatt Tokyo General Manager Hervé Mazella. Fortunately, the hotel did. This was a small but essential detail.

So that evening, I slipped into my pajamas, and ordered room service. Movie nights in Tokyo are about Japanese curry with rice, the ultimate comfort food. Then, from the sofa of the Lost in Translation Suite, I watched Lost in Translation itself.

It was a surreal experience, seeing the same corners of my suite appear on screen in real time. Few travelers will ever have the chance to do this, and that made it even more special. Moments like this are what I call truly living a Travelife. When I find magic in the places where stories, cinema, and reality quietly overlap.

Read more about the best hotels and resorts in Japan in Travelife Magazine.

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What began as the thought of a simple snack soon turned into one of the most elegant surprises of our trip — a full afternoon tea in Hakone’s mountains. At the Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa, a modern retreat with hot springs and pet-friendly rooms, the lounge was anything but quiet. On the ground floor, the glow of a giant fireplace lit up a crowd of cheerful guests, all gathered for a ritual of tea, champagne, and conversation.

A Warm Welcome at the Hyatt Regency in Hakone

“What’s happening over there?” I asked the bell boy, who was carefully handling our luggage. The welcoming team immediately set the tone for our stay, their cheerful smiles and crisp blue-and-white uniforms radiating warmth and polish.

“As you’ll be here for several days, you simply must try our afternoon tea,” he replied with a knowing grin. “It’s one of our most popular experiences. Many of our returning guests make sure to reserve it as soon as they book their rooms.”

That was all the encouragement we needed.

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Afternoon Tea in Hakone

Drawn by the promise of tiers of delicate savories, jewel-like pastries, and pots of fragrant tea, we joined the lively crowd in the lounge. The Hyatt Regency Hakone’s afternoon tea is more than a meal—it is a ritual in itself. Guests settle into deep chairs, conversation flows as smoothly as the champagne, and every plate seems touched with artistry.

Set against the serene backdrop of Hakone’s mountains, the experience feels both indulgent and restorative. Time slows here. Between each sip and bite, you feel the world recede just a little further away.

Starting with Ruinart Champagne

Considering we were high in the mountains of Hakone, the afternoon tea felt especially indulgent. We began with flutes of Ruinart champagne, one of France’s finest, and the crisp bubbles set the tone for everything that followed. It was an unexpected touch of Parisian elegance in a Japanese mountain retreat — the perfect prelude to towers of savory bites, delicate pastries, and steaming pots of tea.

First came the scones, still warm from the oven. They arrived with clotted cream, golden butter, and a trio of jams — the essentials of any proper afternoon tea. Breaking one open and watching the steam curl into the air felt like the most comforting luxury.

Then the waitstaff presented multi-tiered trays, each one carefully arranged with a mix of savory bites and jewel-like pastries. It was as much an aesthetic feast as a culinary one. For a moment, no one moved; the trays looked too perfect to disturb, as though each piece had been placed to be admired before tasted.

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Western elegance, Japanese hospitality

As the afternoon lingered on, I realized that this was more than just tea and pastries. It was a ritual of comfort, crafted high in the mountains of Japan. Afternoon tea at the Hyatt Regency Hakone blends Western elegance with Japanese hospitality, turning a simple pause in the day into something memorable. Surrounded by views of Hakone’s green hills, the scent of wood smoke, and the gentle hum of conversation around the fireplace, I felt time slow down.

In that moment, afternoon tea became what it should always be — not just food, but a way to savor place, season, and company. And in Hakone, that ritual felt especially luxurious.

Read more about the best hotels and resorts in Japan in Travelife Magazine.

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To escape the heat in Tokyo, we decided to spend a few days in Hakone, favorite summer destination of many Japanese. For this mini break, I booked a corner suite at the Hyatt Regency Hakone. This modern resort hotel is very popular as a weekend retreat. Many people love its clean lines and warm interiors.

At the same time, the hotel team is enthusiastic and friendly. So it’s a nice break, especially during the pandemic, to stay at this hotel with a cheerful and yet relaxing atmosphere. The team is even dressed in matching blue and white shirts, emphasizing further the resort feeling.

THE HOTEL IS FULL

Apparently, many people had the same idea. The Hyatt Regency Hakone is booked to safe capacity and everyone is enjoying the cooler climate. When we arrived, afternoon tea was in progress in the lounge. I peeked into the lounge and there were happy faces everywhere. Observing my keen interest in the lounge, the bell boy said: “We also host drinks for guests in the lounge every evening.”

Not too many hotels offer complimentary drinks every night to guests, but this is a tradition at the Hyatt Regency Hakone. Regular guests look forward to having a glass of wine, on the house, before they go on to dinner.

CORNER SUITE WITH A VIEW AT THE HYATT REGENCY HAKONE

Our suite was in the annex, which is where the spa and the hot springs also are located. It was a large corner suite with a most innovative design to further maximize space and utility.

Also, this hotel has a main building and two annex buildings. One of the annex buildings has Japanese style rooms. This building also has the rooms that guests with dogs can book. Yes, the Hyatt Regency Hakone actually has dog-friendly rooms.

For one thing, the bedroom is enclosed completely in smokey glass with sliding doors that open onto the living room. This allows for a free and easy flow through the suite, while also keeping privacy. You can sleep cocooned in comfort in the evening and open the entire room up to views of trees in the day.

WINTER GARDEN IN HAKONE

The most interesting feature of this suite is perhaps the winter garden. Few hotels have such a feature in their rooms, after all. Here, the suite bar and a dining table are placed on a pretty terrace completely enclosed by windows and glass.

The windows all open up so you can enjoy fresh air on a fine day — and most days in Hakone are fine. The air is pure and clean so it’s wonderful to be able to open the windows.

I also love the bathroom, which is connected to a spacious dressing room and double sink area. It has a large bathing area and a deep Whirlpool jacuzzi tub that’s perfect for soaking.

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WELLNESS RETREAT IN THE MOUNTAINS

Very nicely, too, the hotel has provided a proper yoga mat and yoga DVDs in the dressing room. So guests who want to do their own mini wellness retreat while staying at the Hyatt Regency Hakone can do yoga in their suite while enjoying the beautiful view of greenery.

Read more about the best hotels in Japan in Travelife Magazine.

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The entrance to the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is deceptively simple. A winding road passes through fields that are green in the summer, with houses in the distance. Then it ends at the entrance of a building inspired by somber tones and minimalism. An extreme design to complement the extreme nature of Hokkaido.

MINIMALISM AT ITS BEST

However, the stark lines of the hotel should not put the upmarket traveler off. It is precisely because the hotel is so luxurious in every sense that it can confidently create maximum space with minimum lines. It’s literally a paradise where you can leave your troubles at the door, especially during the time of COVID-19.

This was our experience, arriving for a much-needed holiday at the end of July, just as Tokyo was announcing record figures for COVID infections and fatalities. The world seemed dreary and bleak at that particular time. In contrast, the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono was like a breathe of fresh air in a world of masks and viruses.

SAFETY IN SPACE

Here, space was a big factor in the feeling of safety. The hotel is a mammoth eight-stores complex with 11 restaurants, some of the largest hotel rooms in Japan, and corridors so wide you could play football in them. In such an environment of great distances, the coronavirus suddenly felt very far.

As with many places, space is always a valuable commodity. The sheer amount of it at the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is enough to make anyone’s jaw drop. Then there are the beautiful views visible from almost every room. These transport you out of the everyday. On one side is the Annapuri mountain range , while Mount Yotei is on the other.

THE INTERIORS OF THE PARK HYATT NISEKO HANAZONO

Finally, in case you ever tire of the views outside — all white in the winter and all green the rest of the year — the views inside are equally compelling. It’s a mixture of industrial materials and exquisite finishing. Basically, a most unlikely combination that works.

The impressive lobby is a massive counter in front of a giant mural in a cavernous lobby that can basically double as a running track. Next door is the lounge which is jumping with apres-ski activity in the winter. Families hang out by the sweets bar for cakes and ice cream by Pierre Herme, while couples sit by the fireplace for dinner.

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At the end of the lounge is a floor-to-ceiling bar where one can easily imagine ending the day with a shot of whiskey, happy and checking one’s phone for a next possible date to return.

Read more about the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono in Travelife Magazine.

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After three weeks on the road in Ethiopia traveling from north to south, a luxury hotel in Addis Ababa was heaven-sent. We ended up back in the capital for two nights at the end of our trip. By that time, we were long overdue for a splurge – fast WiFi, computerized lighting and other 21^st century comforts — and the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa was the ideal choice for a pit stop before flying out of Africa.

HOTEL NEAR BOLE AIRPORT

This luxury hotel in Addis Ababa is only a 15-minute drive from Bole International Airport. Yet it exists in a world of its own in Ethiopia’s capital, just next to historic Meskel Square.

We walked into the lobby, white and grey interspersed with colorful modern art and crafts. I saw only smartly attired men and women in elegant dresses everywhere. They were sipping cocktails in the lounge or engaged in animated conversation by the Cascara bar. 

LUXURY HOTEL IN ADDIS ABABA

“So this is where all the beautiful people of Ethiopia hang out,” I said. In particular, I admired the style of a lady with a chiseled profile, sitting across me in a tunic dress the color of copper earth. She wore chunky bangles around her wrists and looked like she’d just stepped out of the pages of Vogue.

We ordered afternoon tea in the lounge to wind down. After all, we’d just spent a busy day packing and flying out of the south. Just a few hours earlier, we’d been eating breakfast in the garden of our hotel in a city called Hawassa. We’d ordered our favourite avocado shakes and monkeys dangled from the trees as we ate.

This was pretty much the case for every day of that past week. So it was nice to simply bask in the sophisticated vibe of the Hyatt, drinking tea from artisan cups.

ABOUT THE REGENCY EXECUTIVE SUITE

Meanwhile, our spacious Regency Executive suite nicely lived up to my first impressions as well. It certainly was appropriate for a luxury hotel in Ethiopia that everyone has been raving about. Done up all in white, it was modern, minimalist and luxurious all at once. I liked the large living room and adjoining bedroom immediately.

I’d stayed in a variety of lodgings in the Ethiopian countryside. All were charming but none had made me want to stay in and curl up in bed with a room service tray. In this sense, the Hyatt Regency was a world apart. It was pure heaven and calm. 

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ABOUT ADDIS ABABA

Addis Ababa is a real African city of noise, hustle and bustle, so serenity can never be underrated here. Also, there is something about the clean lines of the Hyatt Addis Ababa. It just soothes the soul. In this case, the calm came at just the right time.

And, yes, I did want to prop myself up in bed with fluffy pillows and a pizza. Ethiopia was briefly a colony of Italy so we never met a pizza we didn’t like here. Nevertheless, we couldn’t resist sampling the hotel’s two restaurants. These were supposedly among the city’s very best.

WHERE TO EAT IN ADDIS ABABA

Since the hotel opened, The Oriental very quickly became the dining venue of choice for discerning locals and visitors alike. In particular, Ethiopians like their grilled meat. This restaurant reportedly offers the highest quality available in the city.

It was cool that evening so we got a table on the terrace opposite Meskel Square and lots of thick blankets to wrap up in.

Within 30 seconds of opening the menu, I’d already made up my mind. I wanted a main course consisting of Ethiopian lamb shank. This called out to me at first glance so that I could think of nothing else.

I’d heard about this delicious lamb, you see. However, I’d still had to find a really delicious one in spite of the fact that I’d ordered it in every restaurant.  It was a wonderful evening that was so out of place in the cacophony of sounds and smells that is Addis Ababa. Nevertheless, it felt just right. In fact, it was perfect.

Christine Cunanan is the publisher of Travelife Magazine. Read more stories about Ethiopia in Travelife Magazine.

Some photos courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa

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