Convenience and Comfort: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi Review
Tokyo, a city where tradition meets innovation, boasts some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Four Seasons Otemachi is no exception, offering us an exquisite stay where we uncovered only a couple of unique quirks. Here’s a detailed account of our stay:
Location of The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi
Many wonder how many Four Seasons are there in Tokyo and which is the best Four Seasons hotel in Tokyo? There are two Four Seasons hotels located in Tokyo: Our choice, The Four Seasons Otemachi, and the alternative Four Seasons Marunouchi. While we cannot speak to the alternative, the Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi is conveniently located a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station, making it relatively accessible. Still, if you're burdened with heavy or large luggage, a taxi may be warranted.
While the immediate vicinity in the financial district did not house many of the sights or restaurants we were interested in visiting during our stay, the hotel's location directly above Otemachi Subway Station was incredibly convenient for traversing the city by rail. This strategic placement means that the bustling heart of any part of Tokyo is just a train ride away.
First Impressions and Layout
The Four Seasons Hotel at Otemachi features an inverted layout. Guests must first ride an elevator to the 39th floor lobby, where they are welcomed to a water feature, along with the bar, restaurants, check-in reception, and concierge. The panoramic city view from the floor-to-ceiling windows is breathtaking, overlooking the beautifully manicured gardens of the Imperial Palace, providing a serene contrast to the urban landscape of the Tokyo skyline around them.
In order to reach your room, you'll need to take another elevator down from the lobby. This dual-elevator system, coupled with a short walk between the two, can be somewhat inconvenient, especially during busy times. However, we noticed that other high-end luxury hotels in Tokyo had similar setups, so it may be more common than we initially thought.
Rooms
The rooms at the Four Seasons Otemachi are nothing short of exquisite. Our room featured an incredibly soft bed with premium linens, a spacious closet area, a well-stocked mini-bar with an espresso machine setup, and a luxurious bathtub positioned against the window with a view of the skyscrapers. If your budget allows, we highly recommend splurging on the Deluxe Imperial Garden View rooms. The view of the gardens is immeasurably better than that of the neighbouring buildings on the other side of the hotel.
Facilities
The hotel boasts impressive facilities such as a swimming pool and spa. The gym offers a great view of the city, making workouts more enjoyable. There’s an indoor pool and hot tub area complete with a rainfall massager and mist chairs, a perfect spot for relaxation. Additionally, the separate men’s and women’s saunas and onsen baths located inside the changing rooms provide a traditional Japanese bathing experience, adding to the hotel’s charm.
Breakfast at The Four Seasons Otemachi Tokyo
Our breakfast experience had its highs and lows. The main high being that for the included complimentary breakfast, guests can choose to either dine in the main dining room or opt for in-room service for no additional charge. The second high was tasting the Four Seasons’ French toast, an unforgettable concoction covered in creamy custard and crumbled nuts.
On our first morning, the restaurant was bustling with a lineup at the door and a bit of a wait to get in. The buffet and à la carte options were enjoyable, however, we did sense a bit of a frenzied energy amongst the staff around us, likely due to the high volume of guests present.
On the second day, we opted for in-room dining instead to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. Unfortunately, the aforementioned French toast we had been dreaming about arrived without any of the delicious toppings it had the day before. After a few calls and incorrect attempts, the staff brought the correct toppings to our room, though by then the meal had gone cold. Thankfully on our final day, we were able to enjoy one last in-room breakfast, where everything tasted excellent.
Dining and Bars
The hotel features the Virtu bar, an exquisite space decorated in a Parisian style, almost resembling a chic library or perfumery. The cocktails were as appealing as the ambiance, making it a must-visit spot within the hotel, and even within Tokyo. You can read about some of the other best bars to visit in Tokyo in our upcoming dedicated blog post (Subscribe to stay informed).
Additionally, the Four Seasons Otemachi features a Michelin-starred French-Japanese restaurant called Est. Its innovative cuisine and elegant setting are sure to offer a memorable dining experience.
Concierge Service
Our experience with the concierge service at this hotel was somewhat disappointing. During our stay, several requests could not be accommodated. Pre-arrival attempts to have reservations made on our behalf were also unsuccessful. For instance, we were informed that making a reservation at a particular establishment was not possible, only to discover later that the establishment actually required reservations made through a simple online portal and did not accept walk-ins.
It’s possible that Tokyo was particularly busy during our visit, contributing to the difficulty in securing dinner or bar reservations. However, we had hoped that staying at one of the best luxury hotels would provide some reservation advantages. We recommend doing your own research and making dining reservations independently when possible, rather than relying solely on the hotel concierge.
Hotel Review Conclusion
Overall, the Four Seasons Otemachi is a beautiful hotel with convenient access to Tokyo's extensive train system. While we experienced some hiccups with breakfast and concierge support, these are areas that can be easily improved, and knowing the Four Seasons’ high standards, we’re sure they will be. Despite these issues, the luxurious rooms and excellent facilities at this new hotel make it a worthy stay. Just be sure to venture out and experience Tokyo itself—you’ll find our must-eats in Tokyo in our upcoming article (Subscribe to stay updated).
Enjoy your travels!
