A Style Capital Gets The Hotel It Deserves

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It has no minibars and no gym or spa — those are too passé — but there's a DJ booth smack in the middle of the lounge, and a grooming center for your dog. Hotels don't come any more idiosyncratic than Tokyo's newly refurbished Claska, and that's a credit to its designers, Tei Shuwa of Intentionallies (best known for their line of cooking appliances) and British design gurus Tomato (whose clients range from Nike to MTV).

Remodeled from a 1960s business hotel, Claska has become the talk of Tokyo , which until now didn't have a world-class boutique hotel. Claska matches the capital's sense of style with its retro-minimalist interiors and array of unexpected amenities, including art galleries and a bookstore. There's also a bar that buzzes until 4 a.m. and a café serving fusion cuisine.

Inevitably, Claska has become a haven for models, artists and musicians. On good days, a celebrity DJ or two will even come down from their rooms for an impromptu set in the lounge. Just as well — without a gym on-site, a quick boogie is all the exercise you're going to get. Tel: (81-3) 3719 8121.