Tokyo is a city that never sleeps. With its fantastic museums, its plethora of delicious restaurants, its beautiful historic gardens and numerous fashion options, Tokyo has it all. It’s so large that it spreads as far as the eye can see, here by making it one of the most fascinating places in the world. While there’s so much to explore, visitors also may feel the need to take time to pause and relax.

Launched in 2021, LIVELY HOTELS, is an innovative hotel group of eleven hotels throughout Japan and Asia, which provides comfortable and ultra-stylish spaces to regenerate after a busy day exploring urban landscapes. There’s something for everyone among these remarkable brands which include Slash in Kanagawa, where playfulness cohabits with creativity; Hotel Graphy in Tokyo Nezu, a space where locals meet international travellers to foster a spirit of community; and Unwind, in Hokkaido, where dramatic architecture meets with sophistication.

“LIVELY HOTELS aim is to create an atmosphere that blends modernity and sophistication with a vibrant and energetic ambiance, all while incorporating the latest in technological advancements. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you will find that our hotels are designed to cater to your every need, with state-of-the-art amenities and services that enhance your stay. Each of our hotel brands boasts a unique identity and personality, allowing guests to choose a brand that resonates with their lifestyle and preferences. From minimalist chic to retro-inspired, from sleek modernity to cozy comfort, our brands offer a range of options to suit any taste.” Zacharie Coskun from Global Agents, umbrella company told Art is Alive.

Bringing comfort, innovation and blue-chip customer experience, the group specialises in perfect hotel stays. Asked about the role of the company in designing the portfolio of beautiful hotels, Zacharie continues: “Global Agents have been in the development and property management business for over 17 years now and we have been heavily involved in the co-living concept from the very beginning. At our core, we are a development and management firm, rather than an architecture or design corporation. As a result, most of our corporate resources ensure that all our communities are thriving and running smoothly, and we collaborate with outside designers a lot. […] One of our main collaborators for Interior Design is TOSAKEN Inc., famous for designing many cafés for popular Japanese chains in Japan. We also work a lot with ZYCC which is one of the top and most renowned architecture firms in Japan.”

Global Agents tends to get labelled as a real estate development company, which is accurate to some degree, but activities go far beyond developing properties. The portfolio is distinct because the company puts a great deal of effort into creating and maintaining common spaces that foster community.

This is best illustrated by the co-living properties brand called Social Apartment. Social Apartment which offers tenants the perfect blend of private space and shared spaces. It initially started out in Tokyo and due to immense popularity begun to spread across the country.

Global Agents has a running design philosophy that places gathering spaces at the centre of each property. In Social Apartment these spaces range from lounges, working lounges, bar lounges, kitchens, rooftops and even in-house movie theatres and they are all designed to facilitate dialogue, encourage exchange and cultivate a microcosm of the larger, bustling urban environment.

In the past 10 years, Global Agents translated their success in co-living spaces over to the hotel market. They have created a variety of lifestyle hotel brands that provide a balance between the shared lounge and lobby spaces and thoughtfully designed private rooms. There’s even more room to get creative in the common areas of the hotels. Innovative technology and modern luxury have always been an important part of the company’s DNA.

Located in the stunningly chic Azabu-Juban neighbordhood, THE LIVELY HOTEL Tokyo Azabubujan is the jewel of the crown. Even the protagonists of the manga and anime series Sailor Moon reside in this district. Close to the Azabu station, the Tokyo hotel (they’re also present in Fukuoka and Osaka) is well located to reach Central Tokyo and beyond. It can’t be more perfect. The Mori Art Museum, The Roppongi Museum, The National Art Centre and the Tokyo Tower are all easily reachable from THE LIVELY – whether by train or by walk. These are some of the cultural venues so close to the hotel.

More than a hotel, THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabubujan is a multifaceted space. It features a fantastic bar on the top floor with incredible views over the Tokyo Tower with a great list of cocktails and wines, a ground floor bar with a pool table, adjacent to the impressive high-ceiling atrium lobby. Clientele is both international and local and the atmosphere truly cool and vibrant.

The ground floor communal room also acts as a working space, available by the hour. It is opposite a second café by Ueshima Coffee Lounge for breakfast and daytime relaxing moments. Exhibitions are often staged in the main bar room including paintings by artists Lucas Beaufort placed in dialogue with the large-scale shelf with artefacts, books (did you spot Assouline’s Chic Stays volume?), chess board, and antiques. The branding and spirit will somehow recall an iconic traditional British fashion brand. The feel is cosy, modern and very chic.

THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabubujan features slick design, from the carpets, furniture, textile, leather and cushions. The palette has glorious colours including grey, dark blue, black, wooden, brown and green. Using clever and functional engineering, folding desks and hidden seating areas, the great Double, King, Loft and Theatre rooms allow guests to adjust the spaces according to their needs. It’s perfect for business travellers, couples and families alike. All the rooms have the most modern technology, from a safe to Delonghi kettles, Epson copper-designed projectors, to phone chargers. The rooms are spacious, pleasant and have wonderful views over the cityscape reminding guests that it also offers peaceful environments to take needed break. Bathrooms have all the modern amenities and nice toiletries for a relaxing stay.

For lovers of films and entertainment, the Theatre rooms are truly outstanding. They are equipped with projectors and 100-inch screens for movie theatre-like experience taking visual and hotel stays to the next level. Connect your phone to the system and you’ll be able to enjoy screenings like nowhere else!

“We are always focused on finding new ways to integrate new technology into our user experience. We are constantly looking for new tools to improve the lives of not only our guests but also future potential customers who are thinking about staying with us. Because of that, we are now working on developing a few applications & solutions with VR and Augmented Reality technologies to streamline and enhance the viewing process for our hotels and actual rooms. IoT integration is also something we are heading towards as we want everything as connected and easy to use as possible. In the future, we’re looking forward to seeing the ways that we can implement technological advancement to greater enhance the ways that guests interact with the environment around them.” Zacharie said about the use of technologies throughout the hotels. Tokyo oscillates between the latest technology and traditional arts. THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabubujan implicitly reflects this history while juxtaposing all the modern comfort.

An iconic lifestyle brand among the portfolio, THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabubujan offers the most stunning and entertaining stays as it marries innovative functional and beautiful design with vibrant food, beverage and entertainment experiences. It is one of the best hotels in Tokyo.

Also concerned with sustainability, Zacharie details the green policy of the group:“Our hotel group is committed to protecting the planet and has taken several green initiatives to ensure we are doing our part to promote sustainability. One of the most significant initiatives we have undertaken is to fully commit to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the past years.” Sustainability has become a differentiating point for hotel worldwide. Zacharie continues: “In addition to our commitment to the SDGs, we have also taken steps to become a paperless hotel. We offer online digital services such as online check-in, which not only saves paper but also makes the check-in process more efficient for our guests.” Reception desk had very well and nice staff. “We also offer a change of towels and sheets to guests only on request or staying more than several consecutive days. This helps to conserve water and energy, which are both essential resources that we want to use wisely. We also heavily push in supporting the local community. One way we do this is by working with local businesses and artists to decorate our hotels and provide amenities for our guests. By partnering with local vendors, we can support the local economy and promote a sense of community engagement.” Zacharie concludes on the philosophy of the group: “We believe that these partnerships also help our guests to connect with the local culture and appreciate the unique aspects of the community. We strive to create an environment that is welcoming to both guests and locals alike, and we believe that working with local businesses and artists is one way to achieve this. Overall, we are proud to be a hotel that not only prioritizes sustainability but also supports the local community. We truly hope that our efforts inspire our guests to adopt similar practices in their daily lives. By working together, we can create a more vibrant, sustainable, and connected future for all.” 

With its very professional service, its convenient location, its luxurious interiors and delightful design, THE LIVELY HOTEL Tokyo Azabubujan is a must-stay in the capital of Japan, offering the best quality to customers. From the welcoming staff to the breakfast restaurant, teams are dedicated to provide the best service. THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabubujan is Tokyo’s classy hotel.

On the future expansion and new hotels opening globally, Zacharie adds: “Global Agents has been looking into expanding overseas for the last few years and we are excited to see how our formula works in a different cultural context. There are, of course, many hurdles involved in opening a property overseas, so we have been careful in choosing the perfect opportunity.”

And if you’re tempted to visit Kyoto, The Millenials is a revolutionary hotel changing the Japanese ‘Capsule Hotel’ Concept. Combining state-of-the-art technology with utilitarian social spaces, a stay at The Millennials Kyoto can be likened to a futuristic experience from a science fiction novel. The key factor that scales this hotel up to the next level of luxury is the use of over 150 multifunctional smart pod units. The SmartPods are spread over four floors in an area that is considered prime Kyoto real restate. So much to explore among the Global Agents portfolio of properties throughout Japan!

–