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There are some hotel brands that become part of your travel story over the years. For me, Prince Hotels is one of them. My first collaboration with the brand dates back to 2017, during my very first trip to Japan..
What started as a collaboration during that journey has developed into a long-standing partnership that has taken me back to Japan and introduced me to different Prince Hotels and experiences over the years. Returning to the world of Prince Hotels, this time in London, felt particularly special. At The Prince Akatoki London, the Japanese-inspired luxury hotel in Marylebone, Japanese hospitality meets the traditions of London. One of the most beautiful examples of this philosophy can be found at TOKii, the hotel's restaurant, where I recently experienced their Afternoon Tea.
Afternoon Tea is one of those quintessentially British rituals, but at TOKii it has been given a distinctly Japanese interpretation. The concept is built around the meeting of two traditions: English heritage and Japanese mindfulness. Rather than simply recreating a classic Afternoon Tea, the menu brings together familiar British favourites with Japanese ingredients, flavours and techniques. The presentation itself sets the tone. The menu includes traditional scones alongside matcha cranberry scones, while savoury creations combine classic ingredients with Japanese flavours.
It is this balance that makes the experience interesting. Nothing feels completely unfamiliar, yet there are little surprises throughout the menu that take the traditional Afternoon Tea in a new direction. Of course, no Afternoon Tea would be complete without tea, and TOKii takes the drinks selection just as seriously as the food. For those looking to make the afternoon a little more indulgent, there is also the possibility of pairing the Afternoon Tea with Japanese sake or Champagne. The sake comes from Akashi-tai brewery in Hyogo Prefecture, a region traditionally associated with sake production, while the Champagne pairing features Veuve Clicquot. I particularly love the idea of having these different pairing options because they add another layer to the East-meets-West concept. Whether you prefer to stay classic with a pot of tea or turn your Afternoon Tea into a more celebratory occasion with Champagne, the experience can be adapted to your mood.
As someone who loves discovering plant-based options while travelling, I was especially excited to try the vegan version of the Afternoon Tea. Vegan Afternoon Tea has become much more than simply replacing a few ingredients. When done well, it should feel like a complete experience in its own right and that was what I was looking for at TOKii. For me, this is one of the nicest things about discovering vegan options in luxury hotels: you don't have to compromise on the experience. The atmosphere, presentation and sense of occasion are just as important as what is on the plate.
The Afternoon Tea is part of the wider experience at The Prince Akatoki London, which brings Japanese hospitality and design to the heart of Marylebone. The hotel describes itself as a sanctuary in central London, and that feeling of calm is very much part of the experience. The name “Akatoki” itself reflects the hotel's Japanese inspiration, while the overall concept combines contemporary luxury with elements of Japanese aesthetics and hospitality. Together with TOKii and The Malt Lounge, the hotel offers a distinctly Japanese perspective on a London stay.
For me personally, visiting The Prince Akatoki London also felt like a little full-circle moment. When I first worked with Prince Hotels during my Japan trip in 2017, I could hardly have known that this would become such a long-term relationship. Since then, Japan and the Prince Hotels brand have remained a recurring part of my travels and storytelling. Prince Hotels has since continued its international development under Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts. The company has more than a century of history and has been expanding its hotel operations beyond Japan, with the aim of bringing its approach to Japanese hospitality to destinations around the world.
The Prince Akatoki London is a wonderful example of that international perspective: a Japanese-inspired hotel in London that doesn't try to recreate Japan, but instead creates a dialogue between Japanese and British culture. After so many years of working with Prince Hotels, it was lovely to experience this chapter of the brand in London, and even more special to discover that the Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed as a fully vegan experience too. A cup of tea, a tower of delicate treats, a touch of Japan. A little piece of my own travel story coming full circle.