All eyes are on 1-1-1 Marunouchi in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. From this midtown vantage point, the Palace Hotel Tokyo-marking its Grand Opening on May 17-offers a sweeping view of greenery, water and an expansive sky. Closed for rebuilding in January 2009, the hotel emerged three years later with a fresh new look. Conceptually blending the best of East and West, the hotel renders the hospitality which has been its hallmark since the historical 1961 opening.

The Palace Hotel Tokyo has long been a familiar midtown presence, its neutral-toned exterior-finished in Shigaraki tile-overlooking Wadakura-bori Moat. Rebuilt on the same spot, the new structure rises 23 stories, its 290 guest rooms including 12 suites. The facade incorporates soft curves to evoke a resort hotel.

Visitors sense the intermingling of East and West in interior appointments the moment they set foot inside. Lobby and guest room design was overseen by Terry McGinnity, renowned for his work with international luxury hotel and celebrity spot interiors. McGinnity is said to have been inspired by midtown Tokyo's natural beauty and Japanese tradition, capturing the ''essence'' of Japan in his ultimate design. With half of all staying guests expected to be international, the hotel aims to showcase ''Japan's premier quality.''

That concept is evident in The Palace Lounge, the lobby cafe where one can hear the water gurgling in the Wadakura Fountain Park as afternoon tea is served on the terrace. Presented by ladies in kimono, tea treats do not rest on the usual tiered stands, but rather in jubako, the stacked lacquer boxes traditionally used on special occasions in Japan. Tea consists of scones, sandwiches, inari-zushi, cake and Japanese sweets, fulfilling the hotel's promise of an East-West marriage.

The white Steinway piano in The Palace Lounge and the counter in the Royal Bar were both used in the original hotel. Moreover, Crown-the sixth floor French restaurant operates at the same height as when it capped the historic original hotel, affording diners the same view from its windows, reflecting the Palace Hotel's sustained tradition of hospitality.

The Grand Kitchen provides all-day, morning-to-midnight, dining with an open-kitchen style.

The counter designed by the Palace Hotel Tokyo's inaugural bartender, Kiyoshi Imai (dubbed Mr. Martini), has been reinstated in the Royal Bar.

Preserving the legacy of the original hotel, the French restaurant Crown presents patrons with the latest in dining trends, evoking La Pyramide, France's famed restaurant in Vienne.

An exclusive check-in area awaits overnight guests.

While preserving Japanese tradition and history, the facility was designed with cutting-edge responsiveness to rapidly-changing needs within Marunouchi, the center of Japan's business and financial spheres.

The 19th floor conference rooms are equipped with LAN circuitry and individual display monitors, while the second and fourth floor function rooms feature moving projectors producing beautiful images as well as sharp lighting and sound, all capable of supporting large-scale international meetings, events, and exhibitions.

The hotel is within walking distance of Tokyo Station, which provides access to virtually the whole of Japan. The spring of 2013 will mark the completion of an underground passageway connecting the hotel with Otemachi Station as well as JR, Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway lines, providing access to two stations serving a total of 12 rail and subway lines. This will underscore the hotel's convenience not only for overnight guests, but also for business patrons.

Local business people will be delighted with the commercial zone linking the hotel to the adjacent Palace Building in the first underground level. Shoppers will find a pastry shop with hotel-made sweets and deli foods. In all, the arcade has 17 stores. There are also 11 restaurants and shops on the same floor-all of them are opening in conjunction with the hotel itself. With a wonderfully expanded repertoire of choices, individuals working in Marunouchi can enjoy shopping or purchase take-out lunches for a noontime stroll.

The Palace Hotel Tokyo certainly reinforces Marunouchi's image as a nexus for greenery, water and open air.

The Club Lounge on the 19th floor is for the exclusive use of guests in suites and club rooms. Patrons may check in and out and enjoy breakfast, teatime refreshments and cocktails here.

The Boardroom is a conference room featuring individual display monitors, while the 24-hour business center is located on the same floor, with business support services for hotel guests.

France's Evian Resort is famed for its natural mineral water and its spa, which now debuts in Japan as the Evian Spa Tokyo. Offering the same essential range of services as its French counterpart, the Tokyo spa incorporates features congruent with the Japanese tradition and lifestyle.

Editing: Vertical
Text: Riria Saito
Photography: Hideyuki Kawana (HK Studio)