The “Executive House Zen” received the “Award of Excellence: Hotel of the Year, Asia Pacific” by Preferred Hotels & Resorts” after a strict assessment of several hundred categories of checks by undercover judges.  Read more about it here.

Congratulations on the “Hotel of the Year” trophy!

You can now see the beautiful Autumn foliage from the lobby of “Executive House Zen.”

The purpose of our stay this time was to spend time by the Garden Pool, enjoying the resort feeling.

The room was the same type as our last stay except for a few changes, such as having a full length mirror on the closet door and a Bose speaker with great sound. We really enjoyed this room. Although it was a 36 square meter room, it was elegantly arranged to feel comfortable.

Upon opening the bathroom blinds, we could sense the openness looking through the room, viewing the greenery of the Japanese Garden.

Tea time had already begun, so we had scones, raspberry filled ”Boules de Berlin” doughnuts by Pierre Hermé Paris (Executive House Zen only), etc.

What a bliss! Raisin and chocolate chip filled scones topped with clotted cream and raspberry jam.

Such a perfect combination! Doughnuts and raspberry. Indeed it is Pierre Hermé Paris!

The lounge is a harmony of Japanese and Modern design, giving it its calm and relaxing atmosphere.

We were blessed with great weather as the end of the rainy season was announced on this exact day, so we were able to enjoy the pool to the fullest.

At cocktail time, we had a pomegranate based Shirley Temple and a cassis based Kir Royale (both non-alcoholic).

Isn’t the sky reflected off the glass table top beautiful!

The canapes I liked was the asparagus wrapped with raw ham.

Here is what my husband had.  It looks like cheese is his favorite.

After some time, the sun started setting, creating an impressive reflection off the “Main” windows.

This time, perhaps because of our swim in the pool, we were so hungry that we decided to have dinner at KATO’S DINING & BAR.

I had the unfrozen raw maguro, and raw squid which was so soft that it was like it melted in my mouth.

My husband had Japanese style beef stew using beef from Japanese Black Cattle.

The KATO’S DINING & BAR is the place to enjoy authentic “Kaiseki” dishes at a reasonable price.

Upon returning to Executive House Zen, we went to the lounge for a night cap with dry fruit, chocolate, and nuts, and returned to our room.

We are thankful that we could relax in the flow of time, enjoying the resort feeling to the fullest.  It was such a wonderful day.

<Continue to Day 2>

On the morning of the second day, the summer sky spread out on the horizon with heart shaped clouds.

At breakfast we could enjoy the fresh vegetables grown at “Ebihara Farm”, and Pierre Hermé Paris’ croissants which is served only at Executive House Zen.

There is also hotel bread, cereal, yogurt, rice porridge and soup.

The “Ebihara Farm” vegetables from New Otani’s dedicated farm are so sweet and savory.

I particularly liked the purple sweet potato.

The 20 cm croissant which is said to be the best in the world, is truly delicious.  I wanted to eat many more.

I topped the rice porridge with most of the condiments provided.

Description and Efficacy

Plocamium Telfairiae　Red Shizuo with its unique refreshing flavor and vivid color.

Safflower    Helps the blood flow well and remove the stasis of blood.

Whitebait　 Prevents high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, and  reduces cholesterol.

Seaweed boiled down in soy sauce 　Vitamin-rich and containing carotene, assists in anemia prevention, regulates the intestinal function, and beautiful skin.

Flaked salmon　Contains EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids.

Seaweed ball　Increases your appetite when put on rice.

Simmered Asari Clams in Sweetened Soy Sauce　Contains Vitamin B12 and is relatively rich in iron.

Pickled Plum　 Assists in recovery of fatigue, prevention of hardening of the arteries, cancer preventon, and anti-aging.

Salted Kelp　 Highly effective in the prevention of high blood pressure and stroke.

Pine Nuts　Moistens the lungs and trachea, activates the movement of the internal organs, and keeps your hair youthful.

Wolfberry　Helps relieve fatigue of the eyes and chronic lower back pain.  A Chinese herbal medicine to assist the internal organs

To finish off our breakfast, we had Musk Melon.

And so went our leisure breakfast in the Lounge.  After breakfast we went swimming in the pool again and floated on the inner tube looking up into the sky, enjoying our holiday to its fullest.

If there is another chance this summer, by all means, I would like to stay at the Executive House Zen and swim in the Garden Pool.

As it was our wedding anniversary, we decided to stay at “Executive House Zen“.

This hotel is located in Hotel New Otani’s Main, with a “hotel-in-hotel” concept, and has a separate front desk.

The ambience of the entrance reminds us of the silence and calmness that is at the core of the Japanese spirit.

We were led into the lounge with its chic and subdued colors.

We were looking forward to enjoying the “Food Presentation” which is held in this lounge four times throughout the day.

Before going through the check in procedure, we were served a welcome drink of Hiyashi ame cha, a cold drink made of chilled syrup mixed with other ingredients.

We have already gotten a taste of the special Omotenashi (hospitality) that we will enjoy throughout our stay.

Interwoven with the Japanese style, the room is modern and elegant unique to Executive House Zen, radiating the sophisticated beauty and peace.

I was so impressed by the lovely flower arrangement which had been prepared in celebration of our wedding anniversary.

The bath is separated by a glass door, lending to its openness. The bathrobes and towels, soft and pleasant to the touch, are lined in an orderly fashion.

The bath amenities by Ferragamo and the basic cosmetics by Elixir are provided.

I particularly liked the bath oil with olive aroma.

The milky white aroma oil with its rose scent filling the air was soothing to both mind and body.

When we opened the curtain, we could see the Japanese garden below us with its 400 year history.

In the lounge, the tea time food presentation was already under way.

・Matcha Pound Cake with Kuromame Black Beans (Zen only)
・Leaf Pie by New Otani’s “Patisserie SATSUKI”
・Castella (Sponge Cake) by “Patisserie SATSUKI”
・Japanese Confectionary by Shiono, Akasaka
・Rice Crackers

・Raspberry Filled ”Boules de Berlin” Doughnuts by Pierre Hermé Paris (Zen only)
・Cookies by Pierre Hermé Paris
・Quiche
・Scone
・Pound Cakes

They also had petit cakes by “Patisserie SATSUKI.”
From left to right: Raspberry Chocolate Cake, Short Cake, Cheese Cake, and Opera Cake.

For a limited time, until June 30th, they also served Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne.

We enjoyed the Perrier-Jouët Champagne along with scones, quiche, pound cake, and the raspberry filled ”Boules de Berlin” doughnuts by Pierre Hermé Paris.

In the slow passing of the time, we were content with the tastiness of each morsel unique to New Otani.

I was able to experience Vintage Darjeeling tea from freshly plucked tea leaves for the first time.

This tea is certified by the Tea Board of India and is selected by the world renown Master Tea Taster, Sanjay Kapur, to serve to the state guests. I am very happy to have been able to drink this tea which can only be had at this time.

It was a pleasure to eat the Opera Cake, Lemon Cake, and the pretty Japanese Confectionary.

Just looking at the view of the lush green of the Akasaka Palace and Jingu Gaien that can be seen from the lounge, brought a smile to my face.

Cocktail TIme begins at 5:30.

・Foie Gras Canapes of Terrine
・Moussed Peas topped with Cream Cheese and Ham
・Cream Cheese by Crema Bel Paese
・Camembert Cheese by Pave d’Affinois
・Vegetable Sticks
・We had freshly squeezed Orange Juice.

We could sense the passion and commitment by the staff in selecting quality foods for us all to enjoy.

When we returned to our room after dark, we could clearly see Tokyo Tower.

For breakfast, we had Pierre Hermé Paris Croissant which is said to be the best in the world.

You can only eat this Croissant at New Otani’s Executive House Zen and The Ritz Carlton, Kyoto (the croissant is half the size of Zen), and it is said that people come to stay at Executive House Zen for the opportunity to eat it.

We were surprised to hear that they spend 72 hours to make the croissants by applying the dough one layer at a time.

The outside is golden brown and crisp, and the inside is springy and moist and was very flavourful.

In addition to this we had other dishes such as organic vegetables from “Ebihara Farm,” and ham.

We sincerely thank the dedicated staff with their warm and meticulous service for making our wedding anniversary a luxurious and memorable one.

Visit the Official Site for more details.