Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto revealed
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, situated in the Temple District of the city, and in the shadow of Higashiyama Mountain.
Secluded amid a five-acre 12th century pond garden, yet in close proximity to key centres of business, culture and natural attractions, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto will offer 123 guestrooms and 57 residences in the historic Higashiyama District.
Alex Porteous, General Manager of the property, comments: “Kyoto is one of the world’s most alluring cities, but she can be shy in revealing her secrets – our mission at Four Seasons is to help our guests discover her wonders and experience all the city has to offer.”
The guestrooms, including 13 suites, will feature designs by Hirsch Bedner Associates, and will offer views of the pond garden, Myoho-in Temple and surrounding neighbourhood. Traditional elements such as shoji panels, polished woods, locally crafted Kyoto-style fusuma screens and urushi lacquerware will be paired with modern technologies, while selected accommodations, including the lavishly appointed Presidential Suite, will also boast balconies. At 245m2 the Presidential Suite will be one of Kyoto’s largest, and all guest rooms and suites are set to feature the signature Four Seasons Bed.
Dining facilities at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto will feature The Brasserie, which will serve up modern bistro fare with a distinctive local twist, while Sushi Wakon will offer Edo-Mae style sushi produced by Michelin-starred Chef Red Masuda. Chef Masashi Yamaguchi will serve just 10 guests per seating, while two private dining spaces for 4 or 8 guests will also be available. Elsewhere, in the lounge, guests will be offered gourmet bites to accompany a selection of domestic and imported whiskies and other beverages, while a tea-house will be located across the historic pond.
To help guests fully immerse themselves in both Kyoto’s traditional culture and modern innovations, Four Seasons will here introduce the position of Experience Creator. This role will be filled by Hana Morioka, who was born in Kyoto, and with her mandate being to act as a guide to the city, she will take guests to a number of the hidden locations Kyoto has to offer. The hotel will also offer three different rickshaw tours, and multi-lingual guides for tours by car or foot.
“We have prepared many surprises already, and I am excited to begin putting together custom programs that satisfy each guest’s personal curiosities and interests,” explains Morioka.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto will also offer a spa, grounded in the Japanese aesthetic of enso, and will comprise seven treatment rooms. The spa complex will include a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, full-service beauty salon, state of the art fitness centre and 20-metre indoor pool.
