Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

Jean-Michel Gathy is having a moment. The go-to name for innovative and forward-thinking designs in luxury hospitality has at least four upcoming luxury hotel openings in the year ahead. And if the Gathy-designed Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, which recently opened, is anything to go by, we’re expecting huge things. 

Let’s get to it. With 162 rooms and 28 suites spread over the top six floors of the 39-storey Otemachi One complex, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi offers the ultimate luxury skyscraper experience. 

Adjacent to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo’s most important financial district, with direct access to Otemachi Station, Tokyo’s most extensive subway station, the hotel offers the perfect base to explore the city. 

Rooms

Rooms here are sky-high sanctuaries. Categories range from very ample 527 square foot city view spaces to an ultra-luxurious 3,046 square foot Imperial Suite with panoramic palace views. 

Meticulously designed by Gathy and his team, classic Japanese elements blend seamlessly with the modern aesthetic of the Four Seasons brand. The neutral, oaty palette is calming; think smooth curves, shōji (sliding doors) in some rooms and intricate handmade paper lampshades. 

We were lucky enough to enjoy an Imperial Garden View Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the space, offering unobstructed views of the Imperial Palace and Gardens and the snow-capped Mount Fuji in the distance.

Amenities are just as breathtaking. Four Seasons Otemachi goes beyond simply offering luxury bathrobes; this property provides guests with luxurious pyjamas. A small pantry is replenished with thoughtfully selected complimentary snacks, drinks, and Japanese teas hand-selected by Regional Vice President and General Manager Andrew Debrito, following hours of meticulous tea tastings. The walk-in wardrobe rivals the size of many Hong Kong apartments, and the oversized freestanding bathtub is set against the window. 

What’s for breakfast? 

A buffet-style breakfast of Japanese and Western dishes, pastries, cereals, yoghurt, and fresh juices awaits at PIGNETO. If weather permits, take your breakfast on the terrace. We spent hours sipping on freshly brewed coffees and taking in the New York-style cityscape on the sun-drenched terrace. It’s one of those rare, fleeting moments of pure bliss.

And for lunch & dinner? 

Don’t miss lunch or dinner at the contemporary French restaurant Est (“east” in French) on the 39th floor of the hotel. The restaurant is fresh from being awarded one Michelin star for the third year. Dishes are rooted in French cooking and reimagined through Japanese techniques. 

Chef Guillaume Bracaval and Pastry Chef Michele Abbatemarco craft their contemporary Japanese-French cuisine from an open kitchen – think freshly caught seafood, seasonal vegetables and a Provence-style section of tofu cheeses that are cured in-house. 

Impressively, 95 percent of ingredients served here are sourced from within Japan (as detailed on the origin map on the menu). Indulge in an 8- or 10-course degustation menu artfully paired with the Master Sommelier’s expert selection of wine, sake or tea. 

We opted for an 8-course lunch and struggled to choose a favourite dish; every course was hugely exciting, packed with flavour – faultless. This lunch goes down in history as my best meal to date. 

For something more casual, the family-style Italian restaurant PIGNETO is open throughout the day, serving handcrafted pasta and gourmet pizzas using homemade Italian dough and Hokkaido burrata. Those in the know ask for a secret off-menu option — De Brito’s meat-loaded pizza; trust us, it’s fabulous. 

Hong Kong foodies must head across to two-Michelin-starred SÉZANNE at the hotel’s sister property, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo At Marunouchi, a 20-minute walk away. Here, Chef Daniel Calvert (previously of Hong Kong’s Belon) serves dynamic French cuisine crafted with a light touch and plated precisely. 

VIRTÙ

An incredible selection of Japanese and French spirits line the bar at VIRTÙ, the hotel’s award-winning bar (recently ranked No.20 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and Disaronno’s Highest New Entry). World-class cocktails are rivalled only by the wholly opulent interiors and faultless service by Head Bartender Keith Motsi and his friendly team, not to mention the bar snacks. Must-try cocktails include the VIRTÙ Martini and the Mellow Amer Negroni. 

A focus on wellness

Spa and fitness facilities on the 39th floor include a 20m indoor heated swimming pool, framed by captivating views and perfect for laps. Steam rooms and a large ofuro (Japanese bath) are set against the window. The gym is open 24 hours, and guests can enjoy complimentary classes, such as yoga, from a weekly schedule.  

The spa has five treatment rooms for face and body treatments. Indulgent rituals for two can be booked in the couple’s room, and a unique menu of wellness treatments focuses on rejuvenation. 

I opted for the 120-minute Four Seasons Signature Wellbeing Ritual, which harnesses the power of Yakusugi (Japanese cedars), known for their ability to withstand time. The ringing of an Orin bell (traditionally used in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies) signifies the start of the treatment. My skin was gently exfoliated with Yakusugi flour, harvested by residents from fallen pieces of wood. A sleep-inducing massage with Yakusugi oil followed this. I did fall asleep – it was pure bliss. 

Let’s hear it for the kids

We travelled with our three-year-old daughter in tow. Young guests are treated as VIPs from the moment they arrive. Upon check-in, children receive a stamp rally, colouring activities and puzzles to keep them entertained throughout their stay. Our daughter was offered her pick of toys from a small wicker basket during check-in – a memorable experience she talks about today. 

In the room, more delicious complimentary treats await. Kids aged three to five staying in a Suite will receive an in-room tent with toys (think train sets, Duplos and stuffed animals). 

The team also offers a range of engaging activities, including swimming lessons with qualified instructors. 

Kids aged six to 12 will have the chance to see both the hard work and rewards of working in a hotel with Four Seasons Kids Academy during which they can learn more about the various hospitality areas within the hotel; including shadowing door attendants and housekeeping staff. 

Within a short walk…

From the historic Otemon Gate and Yasukuni Shrine to the National Museum of Modern Art, guests can explore the neighbourhood’s many delights on foot, or take one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes out for a spin. 

The concierge team is happy to curate walking and cycling routes that take you through ginkgo-lined avenues, lush green pathways, and chic streets with cafes and boutique stores. During Spring, stop by Chidorigafuchi for splendid views of the sakura. For something further afield, tourist-favourite shopping districts like Ginza, Shinjuku, and Shibuya are only a few stops away by train. 

Parting thoughts

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi embodies the perfect balance of unrivalled luxury and family fun. Every detail has been meticulously considered and I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough. 

Gemma Shaw and family stayed as guests of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, Otemachi, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004