Eschewing grand displays, each of the hotel’s 57 rooms is luxury distilled to its perfect essentials

Fifty seven rooms. That’s a surprisingly small number of rooms for a Four Seasons. That alone should clue one in that this Four Seasons experience in Tokyo will be quite different, yet identical where it matters the most. Housed within the gleaming towering glass façade of Pacific Century Place, the word that best describes the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is intimate. It eschews the expected trappings of conspicuous luxury – don’t expect to see grand staircases under vast chandeliers here – for an understated experience that speaks to the best qualities of Japan and the Four Seasons brand.

Understated, but certainly not undersold. And definitely not understaffed. Guests will be met at the nearby train or bus stations – the hotel is near Tokyo station, the busiest terminal in Japan in terms of train numbers – or greeted by a smart doorman if arriving on wheels. A simple bronze signage announces the presence of the hotel, as one is whisked through check-in and deposited in one’s room in a matter of minutes. The efficiency, even for Japan, is admirable; this is a hotel that has distilled the recipe for luxury hospitality to the perfect essentials.

Take the rooms, for example. Wrapped in a cloak of warm wood, neutral textures and elegant décor, the rooms (from JPY54,900/RM2,005 per night) are quietly impressive. Quiet is the operative word; floor-to-ceiling windows reveal the bustling expanse of Tokyo’s Chiyoda and Chuo district, but none of that din penetrates the Four Seasons bubble thanks to effective triple-glazing. There are Japanese touches if you look closely, in the linen motifs, lacquered furniture and welcome snacks of mochi and Japanese cherries, but the rooms are designed in the spirit of Japanese culture, rather than direct emulation. Especially impressive is the bathroom. At roughly three quarters the size of the bedroom, it comes equipped with a deep soaking bathtub, perfect for an indulgent dip of a full day of exploring Tokyo – the Imperial Palace is walking distance from the hotel, and shinkansens at Tokyo Station could deliver you to Kyoto in just over two hours.

There is no swimming pool, but there is a 24-hour aromatic spa complete with a traditional onsen-style stone bath. The choice of a single restaurant – the French-focused MOTIF on the seventh floor – isn’t limiting but advocating; why not venture out to the fresh seafood near Tsukiji or the bustling eateries in Tokyo Station, which include the David Chang-approved Rokurinsha tsukemen ramen? By design, this is a hotel that encourages you to go out and see the sights of Tokyo, providing a plush sanctuary upon return. Awe at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi comes in the form of excellent service, a relaxed atmosphere and personal intimacy. Encounters with other guests and staff are rare, and brief. In a city of over 9 million, that’s a grand achievement.

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi