Background
Four Seasons opened its second hotel in Tokyo in September 2020. Located in the business district of Otemachi, it is larger than its sister property and has 170 rooms and 20 suites, four F&B venues, a spa and events space.
Where is it?
The hotel occupies the top six floors of the 39-storey Otemachi One Tower. It is close to various multinational companies and adjacent to Otemachi station, with direct access from exits C4 and C5. The Imperial Palace lies opposite.
The hotel has a more conspicuous arrival area than its sister property in Marunouchi, with a red-orange timber entrance designed to pay homage to Japanese torii gates. The real experience begins on the 39th floor.
As the lift doors open, it feels like you have entered a sky-high oasis. Shallow pools of water, which resemble those within a Japanese zen garden, distance you from the large windows but don’t obstruct the view. The reflections instead multiply the cityscape and envelop you in tranquility.
Interiors have been designed by Jean-Michel Gathy and Denniston, with Design Studio Spin responsible for dining venues Pigneto, Virtu and Est.
The reception is at the heart of the space, facing a large centrepiece with an arrangement of seasonal flowers.
Rooms
The hotel offers wooden keys or digital key via the Four Seasons app. Lifts on level 39 are used to access rooms on levels 34-38. Rooms range from Superior (49 sqm) to Deluxe (50-54 sqm) and Studio (61 sqm), with the option between city or Imperial Garden views. Suites span 67 to 283 sqm.
Blinds open automatically as you enter the room, showing off the mesmerising cityscape views. I could have easily spent the day reclined on the chaise longue watching the sun rise and set behind the skyscrapers and mountains in the distance.
The contemporary design features natural textiles and neutral colour schemes, with a serene wave-like artwork by Namiko Kitaura displayed above the sumptuous bed – a tribute to Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake. A round table in the corner has USB and plug sockets embedded into the base of a desk lamp behind, making it easy to work in the room.
Floating bedside tables have USB and plug sockets (with UK adaptors) and buttons to adjust the lighting, curtains and roller blinds. There are ‘do not disturb’ and housekeeping switches by the door. There is also a large closet area as you enter and a pantry with a Nespresso machine, teapot and eco-friendly aluminium water bottles.
The modern and spacious bathrooms include a separate cubicle with a Toto toilet, miniature Frederic Malle toiletries, a freestanding tub where you can bathe with views of Tokyo (and frost the window to preserve your modesty) along with a handheld shower and soothing rain shower.
Amenities include Bose speakers, an ultra HD Smart TV, twice-daily housekeeping, comfy Four Seasons-branded pyjamas, a safe, umbrella, iron and ironing board.
Food and drink
One Michelin star restaurant Est is led by chef Guillaume Bracaval and pastry chef Michele Abbatemarco. Interiors are sophisticated with cream and gold furnishings, abstract wall art and a glass-walled open kitchen at its centre.
Tasting menus focus on French cuisine, but 95 per cent of produce is sourced in Japan and the kitchen reduces waste by transforming trimmings into stocks and so on. Plant-based products have been used to great success – bread is served with an addictive soybean hummus instead of butter and the tofu resembles creamy burrata in the peau de soja dish.
The menus range from five to ten courses and can be paired with wine, sake or cold tea – we tried the latter over lunch, which didn’t cloud our judgement for afternoon meetings.
Italian restaurant Pigneto offers à la carte menus, with a breakfast menu served from 7-10.30am (don’t miss the pastry tray or multi-layered parfaits), and the lobby/lounge offers all-day dining and a literal high tea, served amid views of the cityscape.
Bar Virtu celebrates French and Japanese spirits and differs from the neutral tones of the hotel’s other spaces. The dimly-lit room is brimming with Art Deco accents, deep red and mahogany palettes and playful checked patterns. The bar, meanwhile, resembles an apothecary, filled high with bottles of spirits and rare cognac.
Enigmatic head bartender Keith Motsi is at the helm and offers an excellent cocktail menu and snacks such as fried chicken and truffle fries.
Meetings
There is 1,370 sqm of function space with capacity for up to 600 guests across all venues, including a ballroom and three adjacent function rooms on the third floor.
Leisure
The 39th floor has a 24-hour fitness centre and vast spa, with a dedicated elevator on each guest room floor.
The space includes five treatment rooms and a 20-metre indoor heated pool along with a vitality pool. There are also steam rooms and Japanese baths in the men’s and women’s locker rooms for a pre- or post-treatment dip.
Verdict
Four Seasons continues to impress with its second hotel in Tokyo, whose grandeur will attract a flurry of international visitors now that Japan’s borders have reopened.
FACT BOX
- Best for Impressive views of Tokyo’s lights and exceptional service
- Don’t miss Seasonal cocktails at Virtu followed by inventive cuisine at Est, and a midnight soak in the freestanding bathtub
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April started from £1,513 for a Superior Room with a city view
- Contact 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-0004; +81 3 6810 0600; fourseasons.com
